Latest KFF Health News Stories
Ways And Means Chairman Expects Strong Support For Mandate Repeal From House Republicans
The House and Senate will have to smooth out the differences between their tax bills, including what to do about the health law’s individual mandate. Meanwhile, advocates are sounding the alarm over the ways the tax bill will threaten health care for Americans.
Future Of Bipartisan ACA Fix Wobbly Despite Key Role It Played In Securing Tax Bill Votes
Some centrist Republicans only threw support behind the tax bill after they were assured that legislation shoring up the health law marketplace would pass. But the future of the bills don’t look certain. Meanwhile, House Speaker Paul Ryan’s office said that he made no such promise to help get the fixes through before the end of the year.
First Edition: December 6, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Examining The Proposed $69B CVS-Aetna Merger; Is Medicare Next On GOP Chopping Block?
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Media outlets report on news from Texas, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Maryland, Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and California.
Liver Transplant Organization Shifts Policy To Account For Geographical Disparities
The geographic disparity in available livers has plagued transplant patients for decades, and has been a source of fierce debate within the community. But critics of the new policy say it doesn’t consider liver donation rates. In other public health news: superbugs, vaccinations, cancer, e-cigarettes, ADHD, and more.
Patients In Africa Enduring Pain Because America’s Epidemic Has Turned ‘Opioid’ Into Dirty Word
Terrified of triggering an America-style crisis, health providers in other countries are only doling out pain medication in the smallest amounts. In other news on the epidemic: Montana becomes latest state to sue Purdue Pharma; Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) seeks clarity over Kellyanne Conway’s role in managing the crisis; states enlist people who had been addicted to help others; and more.
When It Comes To Medication And Pregnancy, Both Doctors And Patients Left Playing Guessing Game
There’s very little research on how medication as common as drugs to control high-blood pressure affects the pregnant body. Women are left confused and floundering about what is safe for them to take. But, that might finally be changing.
Backlog In Kan. Medicaid Applications Prompts Delay In Dying Patients Admission To Nursing Homes
The homes are concerned about providing care for which they may not be paid. In other Medicaid news, an audit finds improper payments in Louisiana’s program. Meanwhile, a new study finds that the top insurers get more than half of their revenues from government payments through the Medicaid and Medicare programs.
In Effort To Rein In Spending, Arizona Asks CMS To Waive Medicaid Requirement To Cover All Drugs
The state is the latest to ask for the waiver, which officials say would give them more leverage to extract additional rebates from drugmakers. Meanwhile, Colorado has lifted Medicaid restrictions on when patients can get hep C drugs.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said he would support passage of the bill sponsored by Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine). In other news, the health industry is about to be hit with a double-whammy from the Republican tax bill and a decision by the Department of Health and Human Services on short-term health plans; and The New York Times looks at where President Donald Trump gets it right — and wrong — about premiums.
Stopgap Spending Bill May Provide Temporary Relief For CHIP Program
A provision in the bill would make it easier for states — who are running out of funds for the program — to receive leftover money from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services through Dec. 31.
Tax Bill Shakes Up Health — From Medicare To The ACA To Medical Education
The tax bill that Republican lawmakers are finalizing would have wide-reaching effects on health issues. But the GOP still has negotiating ahead to get a bill that both the House and Senate will support. That hasn’t stopped some party leaders from looking forward to additional plans to revamp programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.
What The CVS-Aetna Merger Means For You … And Other Insights On The $69B Deal
Media outlets take a look at how the potentially groundbreaking merger will impact consumers, shake up the health care landscape and more.
First Edition: December 5, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Media outlets report on news from California, Florida, New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Minnesota, Ohio, Maryland, Georgia, Texas and Iowa.
When It Comes To Chemo, What Does Not Kill Cancer Makes It Stronger, New Study Confirms
But doctors aren’t saying don’t seek treatment, and the study might offer a way out of the conundrum. In other public health news: red wine, Tylenol and emotional pain; cancer gene tests; HIV; migraines; and more.
Uterine Transplant Program Hits Major Milestone With First Baby Born In U.S.
The successful delivery of the baby gives hope to millions of women who struggle with infertility. The transplant is only meant to be temporary, kept in just long enough for the woman to conceive one or two children.
Advocates For Those Recovering From Opioid Addiction Fear Consequences Of Medicaid Work Requirements
Red states that have been particularly hard hit by the opioid epidemic are also the ones rushing to add work requirements to their Medicaid programs. But critics say that could backfire for those who are seeking help recovering from addiction. In other news on the crisis: Kratom bans; how cartels are getting drugs into the country; limiting opioids in court; programs to get hospital patients directly into treatment; and more.
