Latest KFF Health News Stories
Policy Banning Transgender Troops From Serving Blocked By Federal Judge
U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly issues an injunction, saying that the policy seemed to be based on a “disapproval of transgender people generally.”
Maine’s Vote On Medicaid Seen As Bellwether Of National Views On Key Obamacare Provision
Next week, voters in Maine will decide whether to expand Medicaid under the provisions of the federal health law. Gov. Paul LePage (R) is fighting it, arguing that the small, economically struggling state with an aging population cannot afford the expansion. Supporters say it will help thousands of people who do not have care now. In other Medicaid news, a California company ends its transportation contract with Idaho, and changes planned in New Mexico come under fire.
More Than 150 Lawmakers Ask Congress To Pull Community Health Centers Back From Funding Cliff
The federal money for the centers expired in September, and the letter from the bipartisan group of lawmakers says about 2,800 health center sites would close, “endangering the health care of about 9 million patients,” if the funding isn’t renewed.
With New Rule, Trump Wants To Relax ACA Standards, Give States More Flexibility
Here’s a look at how the proposed rule would change the marketplaces. Meanwhile, the House and the administration want to continue to pause the court case dealing with insurer subsidies, but Democrats want to push forward with it.
The Theme For Open Enrollment This Year? Rampant Confusion
Open enrollment for 2018 health coverage under the Affordable Care Act starts on Wednesday. But consumers across the country have been left scratching their heads — if they know they even still need coverage at all.
Premiums For Popular Plans To Spike, But That May Just Translate Into Government Paying More
The Trump administration released the report with the dire news on Monday. But most consumers are eligible for federal tax credits that help pay for premiums, and the value of a credit increases as the cost of premiums for one of the exchange’s most popular plans rises.
First Edition: October 31, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Parsing Ohio’s Drug-Pricing Ballot Issue; Link Between Birth Control And The Economy
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Policy Thoughts: A GOP Idea On Reducing Medicare Costs; Health Care In A Wealthy Nation
Editorial pages explore a range of policy ideas, including Medicare costs, the impact of President Donald Trump’s budget on safety net programs and the expense of health care in the United States.
Opinion writers continue to contemplate the impact of President Donald Trump’s declaration that the opioid crisis is a public health emergency.
Media outlets report on news from Texas, Wisconsin, Arkansas, California, Massachusetts, Maryland, Colorado and Illinois.
Judge Sides With Nursing Homes Over Fla.’s New Rule Requiring Facilities Have Generators
The rule came in response to the tragedies following Hurricane Irma in which nursing home residents died because of heat, but the administrative judge said there was no pressing danger that justifies the order.
Scientists Develop Further Understanding Of Connection Between Fevers, Birth Defects
The connection between the two is well-known, but scientists weren’t sure if it was the fever itself or an infection causing the damage. The Washington Post offers a series looking at maternal health.
Times Are A Changing: Amazon’s Plans, CVS-Aetna Talks Reveal A Shift In PBM Landscape
“You are hearing the warning for the end of the road for the classic standalone” pharmacy-benefit business, said one expert. It was reported last week that CVS is in talks to buy Aetna to diversify its portfolio ahead of Amazon entering the pharmacy marketplace.
Beyond Privacy Concerns: Interactive Gadgets Can Pose Threat To Children’s Psychology
Children, who are learning what’s appropriate social interaction, can be affected more than adults by the human-computer relationship that’s becoming more commonplace in homes. In other public health news: early menopause, the shingles vaccine, fatty liver disease, racism, and gun safety.
Although abuse of painkillers seems to actually be dropping, the number of deaths has been rising. Media outlets report news from Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Ohio and Massachusetts.
Privacy Rules Relaxed As Part Of Administration’s Attempt To Curb Opioid Epidemic
The rule will allow health care providers to share information with family members, friends and legal representatives if the patient is in crisis. President Donald Trump declared the opioid epidemic a national public health crisis last week, but some are concerned that there’s no funding to go along with it.
Watchdogs Concerned About Gift From UnitedHealth To Nominee For An HHS Spot
Stephen Parente has been nominated to be the assistant secretary for planning and evaluation at the Department of Health and Human Services. “The timing doesn’t look good,” says Scott Amey of the Project on Government Oversight. “I think Mr. Parente should take some steps to assure the public that he’s working in the public interest, and not on behalf of United Healthcare or other donors.”
States’ Frustrations Growing As Funds Dwindle For Children’s Health Coverage
Federal funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) expired last month. Although members of Congress have expressed support for the program, it’s not clear if they can bridge differences about how to pay for the program.
ACA Supporters, Thwarted By Maine Governor, Seek To Expand Medicaid Through Referendum
Maine Gov. Paul Page (R) has vetoed legislation to implement an expansion five times. Now, health law supporters are taking the issue to voters. In other Medicaid news, Kansas officials will seek federal approval to implement a work requirement, Iowa Democratic lawmakers propose allowing state residents to buy into the Medicaid system and Louisiana’s managed care contracts come under scrutiny.
