Latest KFF Health News Stories
Iowa Medicaid Chief Tells Lawmakers He Will Make Managed Care Work
“I believe we are down the managed-care course at this point, and that’s where we’re going to stay,” Department of Human Services Director Jerry Foxhoven told the Iowa Senate Human Resources Committee. In other Medicaid news, Oregon residents are voting on a plan to raise taxes on hospitals and health insurance to help fund the program, Connecticut officials and hospitals are wrangling over plans there to raise taxes to get more money for Medicaid and the Alabama governor says she wants to set up a work requirement for non-disabled adults.
Some States’ Health Law Enrollment Numbers Soar, While Others Falter
Minnesota saw record numbers and a smooth overall sign-up period, but preliminary reports tell a different story for other states.
It Was ‘Supposed To Be Our Safety Net’: Turmoil In Long-Term Insurance Industry Hits Customers Hard
Almost every insurer in the business badly underestimated how many claims would be filed and how long people would draw payments before dying. People are living and keeping their policies much longer than expected, which is making the business unsustainable for the companies. In other marketplace news, some of Humana’s employees will be getting a wage increase thanks to the Republicans’ tax plan, and Aetna has agreed to settle claims over a privacy breach.
In A ‘Shot Across The Bow Of The Bad Guys,’ Hospitals Decide To Try Making Their Own Drugs
Hospitals have long borne the brunt of price increases in the industry, facing shortages of drugs like morphine or encountering sudden hikes for old, off-patent products. Sick and tired of it, they’re taking measures into their own hands. In other pharmaceutical news: updates on the 340B drug program debate and legislation on over-the-counter drug approvals.
Cardiologists Dispute White House Physician’s Rosy Assessment Of Trump’s Heart Health
The doctors, who have not examined Donald Trump, find it alarming that the president’s LDL levels remain above 140 even though he is taking 10 milligrams of Crestor, a powerful drug that is used to lower cholesterol levels to well below 100. Meanwhile, Trump’s doctor credited his genes for his good health, but experts say the president shouldn’t bank on that forever.
HHS To Create Conscience Division To Support Health Workers Who Morally Object To Certain Procedures
The division would help legally insulate doctors, nurses and other health care personnel from performing procedures they may object to due to religious or moral reasons — such as abortions or caring for transgender patients.
Senate Panel Approves Azar Nomination Despite Democrats’ Concerns Over His Ties To Pharma Industry
The 15-12 vote mostly fell along party lines. If confirmed by the full Senate, Alex Azar will return to the Department of Health and Human Services, this time to take up the helm.
Health Care Issues Being Used As Bargaining Chips For Both Sides As Congress Tries To Avoid Shutdown
A six-year extension of funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program has been included in a short-term funding bill to try to woo the Democrats, while a delay of certain Affordable Care Act taxes was included to sway Republicans. But Thursday morning, President Donald Trump tweeted that he doesn’t think CHIP should be part of short-term solution. House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) says he’s confident he’ll have the votes to pass the stopgap legislation by the time it gets to the floor. Media outlets offer a look at what else lawmakers are pushing to have included, and give perspective on what would happen to the industry if the government shuts down.
First Edition: January 18, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers weigh in on how new national and state policies are impacting health care.
A selection of opinions on health care from news outlets around the country.
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Drug Company’s Proposition: Pay For Pricey Drug In Installments Rather Than In One Go
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Media outlets report on news from New Hampshire, Florida, Texas, Georgia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, Vermont and Illinois.
One Of Most Common Parasites In Country Is Also One Of Most Neglected
About five percent of the U.S. population has the parasite, but many doctors are unaware of the infection. In other public health news: prostate cancer, diabetes, health data, sneezing, and more.
Spike In Accidental Deaths In U.S. Attributed To Opioid Overdoses
The category, which includes accidental drug overdoses, saw a 10 percent uptick in 2016. Meanwhile, states are starting to open their Medicaid programs to covering alternative pain treatments in an effort to combat the opioid crisis.
FDA Pilot Program Designed To Increase Transparency Around Drug Rejection Letters
But Commissioner Scott Gottlieb is stopping far short of the full disclosure he called for before he took up the reins of the agency. In other news, the Food and Drug Administration and Pentagon are working to expedite approvals for devices and drugs that are used on the battlefield.
Anti-Abortion Advocates’ No. 1 Legislative Priority For 2018: A 20-Week Ban
“It’s an election year, so getting substantial stuff done from Congress is usually a stretch,” said Tom McClusky, vice president of government affairs with March for Life, which opposes abortion. “However, it is a good chance to bring up bills to highlight the differences between pro-lifers and those who are not.”
Health Sharing Ministries Offer Cheaper Plans Than ACA, But At What Cost?
Ministries have no guarantee of solvency and can reject claims that traditional insurance companies are barred from rejecting. They also have little, if any, government oversight. In addition, they drain the traditional marketplace of healthy people.
UnitedHealth Expects $1.7B Windfall From Republicans’ Tax Bill For Next Year
The country’s largest insurer says it will invest the money in new technology and local community-based health care initiatives.
