Latest KFF Health News Stories
‘We Did Really Well’: After Bracing For Disaster, Florida Hospitals Breathe Sigh Of Relief
Most hospitals fared well during the storm, and hospital officials credited changes and additions they’ve made in the past decade to strengthen their buildings against natural disasters.
Rule Changes For Medigap Supplemental Plans Leaves New Beneficiaries With Tough Choices
Medigap Plans F and C, which are quite popular among Medicare beneficiaries, will close to new enrollment in 2020. In other Medicare news, federal officials have proposed some changes in home health payment policies, and public health officials ponder a rise in sepsis cases among beneficiaries.
Montana Lawmakers Put Plan To Cut Medicaid On Ice After About 175 People Protest
The governor ordered the reductions after the legislature cut the health budget. Meanwhile, federal officials say that New York Medicaid officials failed to follow rules when making about $1.4 billion in Medicaid payments.
Lawmakers Enthusiastically Reject Trump’s Proposal To Cut NIH Funding
The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a bipartisan bill last week providing $36.1 billion for the health institutes. Senator Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) said it was the third consecutive year in which he had secured a $2 billion increase for the agency, and, in a separate hearing the audience erupted in applause when Senator Lamar Alexander, Republican of Tennessee, announced the boost in funding.
ACA Navigators Begin Shutting Down Operations
The government has slashed funding for the organizations that help people enroll in coverage through the Affordable Care Act. Health reform experts predict that without adequate navigator services, enrollment in the exchanges will plummet.
Democrats Urge House Republicans To Follow In Senate’s Bipartisan Footsteps
Lawmakers are asking House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-Texas) to hold bipartisan hearings on solutions to stabilize the marketplace. Meanwhile, over in the Senate, Democrats worry Republicans are digging in their heels too much on state waivers, and Sen. Ran Paul (R-Ky.) says he does not support the Graham-Cassidy bill.
First Edition: September 12, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Perspectives: On Obamacare, Is Trump ‘Throwing In The Towel’ Or Using ‘Bureaucratic Sabotage’?
Editorial writers take on a variety of health policy issues, ranging from what’s next for the Affordable Care Act, to whether bipartisan reforms are possible and even who is really to blame.
Media outlets report on news from California, New York, Ohio, Kansas, Virginia and Alaska.
Rural Mental Health Crisis Center Threatened By Glitch In Iowa’s Medicaid Payments
State officials say some of the services provided by the center in rural Appanoose County should qualify for Medicaid reimbursement, but they haven’t written rules to make such payments. The center, which opened three years ago, could close next month. Also in Maine, advocates hope that voters can push through a referendum to force the state to accept the health law’s Medicaid expansion.
Despite Serious Safety Issues, Hospital Watchdog Didn’t Change Its Rating Of Facility
An investigation by The Wall Street Journal finds that the Joint Commission, which is the accrediting organization for almost 80 percent of U.S. hospitals, typically takes no action to revoke or modify accreditation when state inspectors find serious safety violations. Meanwhile, an expert talks to Politico about hospitals and health care spending.
In Search Of Genetic Marker For Suicide: Scientists Envision Medication That Could Save Lives
It will be a long and complicated path even if it’s successful, but researchers think searching DNA for links to suicide will eventually lead to them being able to create a pill to stop it. In other public health news: melanoma, doctors and Yelp, breast milk, chemotherapy, tick saliva and more.
Urgent Talk On Opioid Epidemic Runs Into Reality Of Getting Things Done In Washington
It’s been a month since President Donald Trump declared the crisis a national emergency. That hasn’t even been made official yet. Meanwhile, Purdue Pharma says Ohio’s lawsuit against the company should be tossed, dental schools are teaching students ways to combat the crisis, a look at the president’s claim that a wall will stop the flood of drugs into the country and more.
Many Florida Hospitals Show ‘Tremendous Spirit’ In Face Of Hurricane And Remain Open
At least 35 hospitals in the states that are or have been affected by the storm had to be closed or partially evacuated though. Meanwhile, clinicians evaluate the theory that hurricanes induce labor, Georgia faces Irma, and mental health professionals prepare for the strain a natural disaster puts on children.
As Single-Payer Gains Momentum, Sanders To Release ‘Medicare For All’ Plan
The move may force Democrats on Capitol Hill to take a stance on the issue, which is becoming a test for 2020.
The Long Months Of Uncertainty Are Wearing On Insurers
And insurance providers aren’t banking on a lifeline being tossed from Congress anytime soon.
Trump Looking Ready To Put Repeal And Replace Efforts Behind Him To Focus On Tax Reform
President Donald Trump tweets: “Republicans, sorry, but I’ve been hearing about Repeal & Replace for 7 years, didn’t happen!” Meanwhile, a closer look at the deteriorating relationship between the president and House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.).
Freedom Caucus Leader Offers Tepid Support For Graham And Cassidy’s Obamacare Replacement
Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), who leads the conservative caucus of lawmakers, said the bill being promoted by Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) is the “most promising” option for replacing the federal health law. But the effort faces uphill odds.
Democrats Worry Compromising For Short-Term Wins Will Lead To Long-Term Evisceration Of Law
Democratic lawmakers want the insurer subsidies to be paid. But to get that, they have to give up on something important to them — state waivers. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking for them to reach a deal.
