Latest KFF Health News Stories
With Stem Cell Therapy Guidelines, FDA Aims To Boost Innovation But Crack Down On Rogue Clinics
As the promising field has taken off in the past few years, unregulated clinics have sprung up, charging patients thousands of dollars for untested treatments.
If HHS Nominee Is Approved He’s Set To Inherit An Agency Rocked By Internal Strife, ‘Dysfunction’
Running the Department of Health and Human Services is notoriously challenging, but lately it has faced widespread criticism that it is unresponsive and neglecting staff advice. Former pharmaceutical executive Alex Azar has been nominated to head the agency and will have his Senate hearing later this month.
Who Would Be Blamed For Lower ACA Enrollment? Trump And Republicans, A New Poll Finds
More than 60 percent of respondents say they would point the fingers at President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress, though the poll found a distinct partisan divide.
Middle-Class Families Left Feeling ‘Helpless’ In Face Of $30,000-A-Year Premiums
The increase in premiums stemming from the marketplace uncertainty have people considering reducing their income so they can qualify for government help. “If one word captures all this, it’s ‘helpless,”’ Ian Dixon said. “There’s rage and anger and all that stuff in there, too. Any reasonable person would agree that this should not be happening.”
Collins Hesitant About Including Repeal Of Individual Mandate In Tax Bill
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) has been a crucial swing vote in the Senate this year, and looks to play a main role again in the tax debate. The House passed its version of the tax bill on Thursday.
First Edition: November 17, 2017
LOOK AT US: Kaiser Health News has a brand new look. With our readers’ feedback, we’ve changed the website to make it easier to discover important news, investigations, columns and multimedia. Check it out and let us know what you think.
Viewpoints: Budget Advice For Safety-Net Hospitals; An Abortion Case, The High Court And Free Speech
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Policy Perspectives: The Individual Mandate Fight Goes On – This Time, In A Tax Bill
Opinion writers question the policy rationale, math and impact involved as Congress considers a GOP plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate as part of a Republican tax overhaul proposal. They also examine other health policy issues, including how rising health care costs cut into everyday American’s take-home pay and a program that involves unions and home health workers.
Longer Looks: Colorado’s High Premiums; Dating Apps And STDs; And Studying Gun Violence
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets report on news from California, Texas, Massachusetts, New York, Maryland, Ohio and Kansas.
AMA Adopts Policy Opposing The Presence Of Federal Immigration Agents In Hospitals, Clinics
Meanwhile, two Maryland hospital executives discuss major health policy issues; the reach and cost of Mayo’s sprawling network; financial gains and challenges for hospitals in Colorado and Connecticut; and other hospital-related developments.
Wearable Device To Block Pain From Opioid Withdraw Approved By FDA, But Some Are Skeptical
Evidence that the device works remains limited, and it has never been tested in a controlled clinical trial. But many are excited about another possible tool to help fight the opioid epidemic. Meanwhile, senators introduce measure to tighten prescription practices targeted at patients in the Veterans Affairs’ system.
Genetic Mutation In Small Group Of Amish People May Hold The Key To Longer Lives
The Amish people involved in the study had unusually low levels of a certain protein mostly associated with blood clotting. Carriers of the mutation live on average to age 85, about 10 years longer than their peers, and seem to be completely protected from Type 2 diabetes. In other public health news: gun violence, Zika, robotic prosthetics, and more.
The Guidelines For High Blood Pressure Just Changed. So What Does That Mean?
The New York Times and others answer some questions about the new guidelines that now qualify high blood pressure as anything above 130 over 80, instead of 140 over 90.
Giant In The Health Policy Landscape Uwe Reinhardt Dies At 80
Uwe Reinhardt was an economist who helped shape health care deliberations for decades as a prolific contributor to numerous publications, an adviser to White House and congressional policymakers, a member of federal and professional commissions and a consultant and board member, paid and unpaid, for private industry.
Likelihood Of Medicaid Requiring Enrollees To Work Sparks Controversy
The announcement by Seema Verma, the head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, that the Trump administration will look favorably at state requests to institute work requirements has raised fears of lower enrollments, prompted concerns about law suits and brought cheers from some states. Also other Medicaid news from Iowa, Ohio and Illinois.
Threat To Medicare Funding In GOP Tax Plan Roils Capitol Hill
The tax bill, a priority for the Republican majority in Congress, would likely raise the deficit and that would set off an automatic cuts in spending that would affect Medicare. In other news, a key legislative committee agrees on funding for several Medicare related services and a new study finds that Medicare coverage lags what other countries do for seniors.
Newly Narrow Networks Make Navigating System ‘Almost As Bad As The Disease’ For Some Families
Insurers have pulled out of the individual marketplace across the country, leaving some people who need care for chronic diseases without any options.
For First Time, IRS Will Crack Down On Employers Not Offering Insurance To Workers
The Affordable Care Act requires large companies to offer their employees affordable insurance or pay stiff tax penalties, but the IRS has held off on enforcing the provision.
With Possible Individual Mandate Victory In Sight, GOP Warms To Plan To Stabilize Marketplace
One of the main goals of the measure is to reverse President Donald Trump’s decision to cut off cost-sharing payments to insurers. However, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) says Democrats won’t support the bipartisan plan if the individual mandate repeal remains in the tax package.
