Latest KFF Health News Stories
Arizona High Court To Hear GOP Lawmakers’ Suit Challenging Expansion Of Medicaid
The legislators filed suit in 2013 seeking to stop then Gov. Jan Brewer’s decision to expand Medicaid under the federal health law. In other Medicaid news, Iowa officials are considering moving people with serious disabilities out of the state’s new managed care plan and a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit seeking to move more people out of nursing homes in Washington, D.C.
Reproductive Services May Become Harder To Access As More Hospitals Affiliate With Catholic Church
“This alone represents a substantial cost to women, who must subsequently rely on other, more inconvenient suboptimal forms of contraception,” finds a study of the trend toward hospital consolidation. In other industry news: Tenet considers selling, troubles at a D.C. hospital, an infection pattern at a Wisconsin facility, and more.
8 Dead At Nursing Home Where Air Conditioner Failed In Wake Of Hurricane Irma
Dozens more patients were found in distress, as well. The deaths have prompted a criminal investigation.
Forget Congress — Administration Is Quietly Gutting Health Law By Itself
In rolling back Obama-era regulations, the administration has become the chief weapon against the Affordable Care Act.
Senators May Have Reached Deal On CHIP Funding, But Its Path Forward Is Still Uncertain
It is unlikely, though, that Republicans will hold up the funding for the widely popular program.
Graham-Cassidy Bill Proposes State-By-State Block Grants As Solution To Health Insurance Woes
The measure, crafted by Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.), is a last-ditch effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. It has long odds of getting anywhere, although President Donald Trump did applaud their efforts.
What Is Single Payer? Why Now? And More Questions About Sanders’ New Bill Answered
Media outlets take a look at the ins and outs of Sen. Bernie Sanders’ new “Medicare for all” plan.
Sanders Releases Single-Payer Proposal: ‘Health Care In America Must Be A Right, Not A Privilege’
Sixteen Democratic senators support Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) as he releases the new bill, throwing their weight behind an idea that’s gaining traction with progressive voters.
Unveiled Health Care Bills Show Just How Far Apart Parties Are Despite Ongoing Bipartisan Efforts
As the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee races to find bipartisan fixes to stabilize the Affordable Care Act marketplaces, two groups of senators release controversial health care bills designed to replace the current system in very different ways. It’s unlikely either will pass, but those continued efforts shine a light on how difficult it will be to get lawmakers to agree on a solution.
First Edition: September 14, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: At HHS, ‘Waste Scores A Victory’; Home Care Costs; Misreading The Opioid Crisis
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Talk About Single Payer: What About Workers Who Like Their Plans; ‘Pivotal Moment’ For U.S.
Opinion writers examine the “Medicare for All” movement and other aspects of the national health care debate.
Perspectives: Pharma Regulations Are Filled With Loopholes Nimble Companies Can Profit From
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
When Exciting Breakthrough Treatments Come With Astronomical Price Tags
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Media outlets report on news from Delaware, Washington, Minnesota, California and Ohio.
Study Links Flu Vaccine And Miscarriages, But Scientists Warn Research Is Preliminary
Experts say the study is too weak to change the advice for who gets flu shots but stress that it’s something important to know. “I think it’s really important for women to understand that this is a possible link,” says the CDC’s Amanda Cohn. In other women’s health news: telemedicine and pregnancy, cervical cancer screenings, hormone therapy and breast-feeding.
A New Weapon In The War Against Cancer: Tumor-Destroying Vaccines
The research on the new therapy is part of a wider push to tap into immune cells’ cancer-fighting powers. In other public health news: myths and vaccines, the cancer death rate, epilepsy, patient mobility in hospitals, soda, and sperm.
Former CDC Chief Frieden’s New Initiative Will Focus On Heart Health, Epidemic Preparedness
The $225 million in funding for the initiative — called Resolve — comes from some of the biggest names in global public health: Bloomberg Philanthropies ($100 million), the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative ($75 million) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation ($50 million).
It’s Imperative For Congress To Kick Work On Opioid Crisis Into ‘High Gear,’ Rep. Walden Says
The House Energy and Commerce Committee, which Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) chairs, will hold a hearing on the epidemic next month. In other news, a study finds that more than 75 percent of opioid prescriptions are written for 10 percent of patients.
Natural Disasters, Like Hurricanes, Exacerbate Dangers For Domestic Abuse Victims
Disasters are likely to increase any person’s or family’s vulnerability to violence, and if people evacuate with their abuser, they may find themselves cut off from resources, such as friends and neighbors who have been helping them.
