Latest KFF Health News Stories
Democrats’ Health Victories In Stopgap Bill Come At A Cost — Namely ACA’s Preventive Care Fund
Lawmakers are getting close to a deal to fund the government that includes several health care wins for Democrats, such as extending funding for community health clinics. But the proposals to pay for the new policies take some of the wind out of those victories.
High Drug Price Blame Game: Middlemen Under Fire From Pharma Defend Their Role In Finding Savings
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
First Edition: February 7, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Time To End Sexual Assaults On Patients; Where Is Funding For Community Health Centers?
Editorial pages highlight these and other health issues.
Media outlets report on news from California, Minnesota, Texas, Wisconsin, Florida, Arizona, Tennessee, Georgia, Kansas and Virginia.
Immunotherapy Has Been Touted As Miracle Worker Against Cancer, But It’s Not Effective For Everyone
A test, though, could help pinpoint if a patient’s cancer is unique in just the right way to benefit from the new treatment. In other public health news: floods and toxic chemical sites; prostate cancer; hot tea and esophageal cancer; over-medication in nursing homes; and more.
There Are Actually A Lot Of Flu Vaccines Out There, And They’re Not All Created Equal
The field is pretty crowded and experts think that some offer better protection than others. Meanwhile, scientists are on the hunt for a permanent vaccine.
Behind The Scenes Of Trump’s War On Opioids Confusion, Uncertainty Reigns Under Kellyanne Conway
Kellyanne Conway has taken a leading role in the the Trump administration’s efforts to curb the epidemic, but is reported to be freezing out experts who have experience with public health policy.
New Conscience Rules To Protect Workers Will Cost Health System $300M In First Year Alone
Costs would average $125 million a year thereafter. Many critics also fear the new rules will allow health workers an excuse not to care for certain patients.
As Stock Market Slides, Health Systems And Insurers Are Pulled Along
During a difficult day on Wall Street, health systems saw mixed results with no real explanation for why some fared better than others. Morningstar analyst Michael Waterhouse said to “expect to see a corollary drop in health care stock prices.”
Bipartisan ‘Right-To-Try’ Bill Would Keep FDA In The Loop Which May Ease Pharma Worries
The advocates behind the “right-to-try” movement are likely to be upset about the Food and Drug Administration still playing any role, because they think the agency makes the process more cumbersome.
What Might Be Next After Medicaid Work Mandates? Lifetime Limits On Adults Access To Coverage
At least five states — Arizona, Kansas, Utah, Maine and Wisconsin — are seeking waivers from the Trump administration to impose lifetime Medicaid coverage limits. Meanwhile, CMS Administrator Seema Verma calls the work requirements “true compassion.”
States Forced To Ensure ACA Plans Have Enough In-Network Physicians To Make Them Usable
The Trump administration weakened federal oversight as of the beginning of this year. The rule shifts the responsibility for monitoring and enforcing network adequacy to states. Meanwhile, a pro-Affordable Care Act group is launching an ad against Idaho’s recent move to accept health plans that don’t meet the patient protection standards of the ACA.
Trump Points To Britain’s Protest Over Health System As Proof Universal Coverage Doesn’t Work
President Donald Trump’s tweet drew immediate backfire from British officials who prize their health system that offers free coverage to millions of citizens. The push for universal coverage in America has been gaining momentum, with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) as one of the leading voices in the movement.
House’s Stopgap Measure Includes Funding For Community Health Centers To Woo Democrats
The short-term measure would fund community health centers for two years. The facilities help provide health-care for lower-income families, and their funding has been caught in limbo since the program expired in the fall. The House Rules Committee is expected to meet Tuesday to consider the proposal which is scheduled to be considered on the House floor later in the day.
First Edition: February 6, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers express views on health care issues.
Editorials focus on the Trump administration’s changes to the program designed to help the poor.
Media outlets report from Iowa, Connecticut, Maryland, Arizona, Minnesota, the U.S. Virgin Islands, California, New Orleans, New Jersey and Hawaii.
Worried About Brain Impact Of Tech? So Are Some Early Facebook, Google Employees Who Are Teaming Up
Concerned technologists are creating a coalition to address the potential health issues that social media and smartphones may cause. In other public health news: Alzheimer’s, migraines, learning disabilities, the latest research on dietary benefits, medical pot, sleep in women and a bionic hand.
