Latest KFF Health News Stories
Trump To Undergo First Physical Exam Of Presidency
Presidents routinely take exams to prove they are fit for service. President Donald Trump will have his on Jan. 12. Meanwhile, the mental health of past Oval Office occupants, as well as the present one, continues to be a subject of discussion.
Long-Term Solution For CHIP Funding On Docket As Congress Returns To Jam-Packed Schedule
Right before the Christmas break, Congress plowed $3 billion into the Children’s Health Insurance Program, but that stopgap only keeps it funded for three more months. Meanwhile, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) still wants to push legislation restoring insurer subsidies.
Looking Ahead In New Year: What’s To Come In Health Care For 2018
The health care landscape is set for a tumultuous year. Media outlets take note of what you should watch for — from the health law to hospitals and more.
GOP Reform Did Not Halt Resumption Of ACA’s Medical Devices Tax
A 2.3 percent excise tax on medical device manufacturers went back into effect Monday after it had been suspended for two years. But the industry is hoping that Congress will still blunt the impact.
Final Tally For Health Law Sign-Ups Drops Slightly To 8.7M With Late Cancellations
The initial number reported was 8.8 million, but the revised total was down about 80,000. Still, the revised number is stronger than many expected at the beginning of the shortened enrollment period. Meanwhile, more than 4 in 5 of those signed up for coverage are from states that went for President Donald Trump in the 2016 election.
In Strange Twist, GOP Changes Have Inadvertently Given Government Larger Role In Health Law
Because of the Trump administration’s decision to end insurer subsidies, the government may actually pay more into the system at the same time that healthier people may flee the marketplace because the mandate has been repealed. But don’t expect that victory to be the last of the health law fights for the coming year. Other programs, like Medicaid, are also expected to be debated.
First Edition: January 2, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Obamacare Is Not Repealed; Puerto Rico’s Water Needs; Keeping Humanity In Medicine
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Media outlets report on news from California, Colorado, Illinois, Oregon, Maryland, Minnesota and Tennessee.
Research Roundup: Victims Of Bullying; Court-Ordered Addiction Treatment; And Cervical Pessaries
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
HHS And Texas Reach Accord For $25B Medicaid Funding For Hospitals
The funding, which runs for five years, helps cover uncompensated care provided at safety-net hospitals. Also in the news, Iowa penalizes a company that helps manage its Medicaid program, and federal officials releases information on health care challenges for Puerto Ricans.
Under Fire For Alleged Role It Played In Opioid Crisis, Purdue Tries To Change The Narrative
As lawsuits from cities and counties pile up, Purdue Pharma launches an advertising campaign.
Life-Threatening Complications For Women Giving Birth Have More Than Doubled In Past 20 Years
There’s a misconception that complications are rare, experts say. That’s not the case. In other public health: chronic conditions, liver donations, nursing homes, and sore throat treatments.
In Response To Criticism, CMS Revises Methodology For Hospital Star Ratings
The retooled formula slightly flattens the usual bell-curve of hospitals that receive stars so that more facilities will receive 1 and 5 stars.
In Violation Of Federal Law, VA Hospitals Have Been Hiring Doctors With Revoked Licenses
The VA’s guidance stated that the facilities could hire the doctors as long as they had a license active in one state, regardless of if they’d had it pulled in another.
FDA’s Record Year: Agency That Has Long-Promised To Pick Up Drug Approval Pace Reaches Milestone
The agency just hit its 46th approval of 2017, the most in at least a decade. But more than one year of data is needed to predict a trend. In other pharmaceutical news: a judge will rule on hospitals’ efforts to block cuts to the 340B drug program; Biogen’s Alzheimer’s trial has disappointing results; a look at the most noteworthy drug approval of the years; and more.
In Case Of Pregnant Immigrant Girl, Federal Official Says Rape Not Valid Reason To Allow Abortion
The stance is a sweeping departure from past administrations, both Republican and Democrat. Abortion rights activists are calling for removal of the official from his post.
The Trump administration issued a rule in October that made it easier for employers to avoid paying for birth control coverage for its workers due to “moral or religious” objections.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says it’s time to focus on stabilizing the insurance industry under what’s left of the Affordable Care Act.
Defying Dire Warnings And Expectations, Health Law Sign-Ups Nearly On Par With Last Year
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services say more than 8.8 million people have signed up in 39 states, which is a slight decrease from last year’s 9.2 million. Heading into the enrollment season many experts anticipated a steeper dip because the Trump administration slashed the outreach budget and cut the sign-up period in half.
