Latest KFF Health News Stories
Longer Looks: Mass Shooting Contagion; The Future Of Hospitals & The Origins Of The Opioid Epidemic
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luhra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets report on news from Minnesota, Illinois, Massachusetts, Texas, Pennsylvania, California and Ohio.
More often, the shooters fall into the category of disgruntled and aggrieved, with perceived humiliation fueling their acts. In other public health news: weight loss supplements, pesticides, brain implants, double-booked surgeries, sudden infant death syndrome, and more.
Scientists Genetically Modify Stem Cells To Grow Skin For 7-Year-Old Boy With Fatal Disease
The doctors were able to reconstruct fully functional skin for 80 percent of the boy’s body. The success story may offer hope to burn victims and others with severe skin conditions.
China, U.S. To Focus On Fentanyl In Efforts To Curb Opioid Epidemic, Trump Says
“Today President Xi and I discussed ways we can enhance coordination to better counter the deadly drug trade and to stop the lethal flow of poisonous drugs into our countries and into our communities,” President Donald Trump said.
Proposed Provision Would Allow Providers Who Object To Abortion To Sue If They Face Discrimination
Some Capitol Hill lawmakers want to work the language into the end-of-the-year spending bill Congress will consider. Meanwhile, outlets report on other news pertaining to women’s health care from Massachusetts and Texas.
Potential HHS Pick’s Ties To Pharma Raise Questions About Trump’s Mission To Curb High Prices
Alex Azar served at Eli Lilly for a decade, including five years as president of its U.S. Lilly USA, LLC unit.
Despite Concerns About Provisions On Use Of New Drugs, Defense Bill Moves Toward Vote
Politico Pro reports the bill is moving along and lawmakers will continue talks on addressing concerns from some members of health committees that the bill would allow the military to use drugs and products that haven’t been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Republicans, In Search Of Revenue, May Target Orphan Drug Tax Break
The tax credit is part of a popular plan to encourage the development of drugs for rare disease. But ending it could save the government an estimated $54 billion over the next decade
GOP Senators Want To Give Governors Power To Waive Health Law Restrictions Under New Bill
Legislation from Senate Finance Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Sen. Michael Crapo (R-Idaho) shows Senate Republicans are continuing to pursue ways to modify the current health care law after failing earlier this year to repeal large portions of it.
In Aftermath Of Election Success, Democrats May No Longer View Health Care As A Liability
“There has been a major change here,” says Robert Blendon, an expert on public opinion about healthcare at Harvard’s Kennedy School. “Democrats for years wouldn’t talk about healthcare. … Now, the implication is that if you are a Democrat running in 2018, you can talk about protecting healthcare for millions of Americans.”
Repealing Individual Mandate Would Do Less To Chip Away At Deficit Than CBO First Projected
In its revised analysis, the Congressional Budget Office also finds that the move would mean 13 million more people would be uninsured and premiums would rise by about 10 percent most years over the next decade.
Medicaid Chief Says Federal Officials Seeking To Relieve Paperwork Burdens On States
Brian Neale, who heads the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services, tells state Medicaid directors that he wants to help states get away from cumbersome chores. In other news, Montana lawmakers stop a plan to cut Medicaid reimbursement rates, and Iowa lawmakers hear that state officials knew one insurer was leaving the Medicaid managed care program a month before alerting the public.
Victory In Maine Breathes Life Into Other’s Efforts To Get Medicaid Expansion On State Ballots
Advocates in Idaho and Utah are already working on their own measures, and the impact of health issues in both the Maine and Virginia 2017 elections may provide a path for others as well.
Maine Governor Balks At Expanding Medicaid Even After Voters Had Their Say
Gov. Paul LePage (R), who has vetoed similar plans five times, says his administration will only implement expansion if it’s fully funded by the state Legislature.
First Edition: November 9, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Ending Medical Expense Deduction Pinches Middle Class; The ‘Demise’ Of CHIP
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Perspectives: Despite Rhetoric, Orphan Drugs Not A Major Factor In Health Care Spending
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
What You Need To Know About Lucrative Drug Subsidies Program Administration Wants To Slash
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Media outlets report on news from Missouri, Illinois, New Hampshire, California, Oregon, and Georgia.
