Latest KFF Health News Stories
Iowa Saving Less On Managed Medicaid Program Than Expected, State Reports
Former Gov. Terry Branstad ordered the shift to private companies managing the state Medicaid program in 2015 and predicted it would save the state $232 million this year. The Department of Human Services now says it will save $47.1 million this year. Meanwhile, voters in Oregon begin to gear up for a special election later this month on funding for that state’s Medicaid program and a hack in Florida exposes files of 30,000 enrollees.
Minn. Officials Worry Rollback Of Nursing Home Penalties Could Undercut Recent Crackdown On Abuse
The federal move comes just as Gov. Mark Dayton has pledged tougher action following revelations of elder abuse in the state’s nursing homes.
Kids Are Being Kept In Hospital Too Long Because U.S. Lacks Financially Supported Home Care System
It’s much cheaper to provide sick children with home nurses, but there’s a shortage of them because there’s little incentive to get into the low-paying field.
Pharma’s Concerns That Trump Will Do Something Radical To Cut Prices Have All But Evaporated
The J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, the biggest annual investors event in biotechnology, is underway and the worries from last year haven’t exactly carried over into 2018. In other pharmaceutical news: an Alzheimer’s drug may have gotten its second wind; Celgene has agreed to buy cancer drugmaker Impact Biomedicines; and an executive facing sexual harassment allegations still hasn’t stepped down.
Idaho Governor To Let Insurance Companies Skirt ACA Requirements
Health insurers in Idaho and the state’s insurance director have been working for months on a plan that would allow the sale of non-ACA compliant insurance and hope to have them available by March. They would not be eligible for government premium subsidies.
Democrats Go In Search Of Next ‘Big Idea’ On Health Care In Preparation For 2020
Tired of playing defense and looking to capitalize on Republicans’ fumbles, Democrats are encouraging people in the party to think big, with ideas ranging from single-payer, government-run care for all, to new insurance options anchored in popular programs like Medicare or Medicaid. In other news from Capitol Hill: medical research legislation, entitlement overhaul, “right-to-try” bills, and CHIP funding.
As Debate Over President’s Mental Health Heats Up, Trump Declares Himself A ‘Very Stable Genius’
President Donald Trump said that those questioning his mental well being are just trying to score political points. All of the chatter over Trump’s health comes just before the president’s first psychical exam while in office.
Trump Says He’s Made ‘Tremendous Progress’ In Improving VA Health Care. Those Claims Fall Short.
The Associated Press fact checks the president’s assertions that his initiatives have had a positive impact on the quality of health care provided to veterans.
Alex Azar, the Trump administration’s pick to head the Department of Health and Human Services, is set to testify before the Senate Finance Committee this week, where it’s likely his close ties to the pharmaceutical industry will take center stage with his critics.
First Edition: January 8, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A selection of opinions on health care from news outlets around the country.
Opinion writers examine a range of health policy issues, including the Trump administration’s proposed rule to pave the way for the creation of more association health plans and a push for Congress to restore funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
Research Roundup: Opioid Use; Medicaid Work Requirements; And Individual Marketplace Performance
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Media outlets report on news from California, Florida, Texas, Connecticut, Maryland, Washington and Georgia.
While Cancer Deaths Are Decreasing, U.S.’s No. 2 Killer Still Remains Formidable Foe
Experts credit a decline in tobacco use for the improved rates, along with breakthrough drugs that have improved the chance of surviving a diagnosis. In other public health news: the IV bag shortage linked to the hurricane in Puerto Rico may be over soon; a study finds that antioxidants don’t ease muscles after exercise; and more.
Risky Behavior Decreased ‘Markedly’ Among Younger Students
The proportion of high school students having sex continues to decrease, a new government study finds, and other students are waiting longer.
Less Than One In Three Americans Think Opioid Crisis Is A National Emergency
A “surprising” study finds that while many think it’s a problem, only a small number of Americans think the opioid epidemic rises to the level of an emergency.
Pipeline Of Generics Into Drug Marketplace Contributing To Lower Prices, CVS And Walgreens Say
But the influx of the medications might help the companies’ bottom lines because generics generally have a higher margin than name-brand drugs. Meanwhile, the industry is primed for another wave of mega-mergers in the coming year.
Medicare Agrees To Cover Abbott’s Glucose Monitor For Diabetes Patients
The monitor allows patients to avoid pricking their fingers to get blood-sugar readings. Analysts suggest the decision by Medicare will give Abbott a leg up over another device made by DexCom.
Large Health Systems Asking Medicare For Relief From Some MACRA Requirements
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has already announced that physician practices with less than $90,000 in Medicare revenue or fewer than 200 unique Medicare patients per year did not have to comply with the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) that set up a new payment formula for doctors. Larger health systems are complaining that they need relief from the burden as well, though.
