Latest KFF Health News Stories
Iowa Seeks Federal Permission To Eliminate Medicaid’s 3 Months Of Retroactive Coverage
State officials say their proposal would save the program $36.7 million, including $9.7 million in state payments. Meanwhile, Mississippi Medicaid officials deny allegations by two companies that the state acted inappropriately when awarding managed care contracts.
HHS Watchdog Says Medicare Saved $1B Through Program That Coordinates Care
Accountable care organizations, created by the federal health law, are groups of doctors, hospitals and other health providers that coordinate care to reduce unnecessary federal spending and get to claim a portion of that savings. The report by the inspector general’s office also found that the majority of the 428 ACOs in the shared-savings program improved the quality of care they provided. In other Medicare news, an advisory panel says there is little evidence that weight-loss surgeries work.
Missouri AG Casts A Wider Net In Probe Of Opioid Makers And Their Marketing Tactics
Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley is among officials in more than 20 U.S. states that have decided to combat the opioid crisis through the court system. Outlets also report on the epidemic from Hawaii, Kansas, Ohio, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Anti-inflammatory drugs have predictable and dangerous side effects, and messing around with a patient’s immune system can just be asking for trouble sometimes. In other public health news: gene-editing, breast-feeding, a salmonella outbreak, student athletes, Lyme disease, and more.
For Houston’s Hospitals, Returning To Business As Usual May Take Weeks
But the chief executive officer of the council that has overseen catastrophic medical operations during Harvey has praised the storm response coordination of hospitals, first responders and civic leaders.
Beyond The Dangers Of Flooding: The Public Health Crises That Will Follow In Harvey’s Wake
Infectious diseases from the water, contamination, mosquitoes and mold are just some of the issues the city has to deal with even as the massive storm relents.
Pharma May Get Reprieve From Rule Penalizing Drugmakers For Overcharging Hospitals
The Trump administration suggested that it may further delay the controversial rule and that it is now seeking public input about a postponement.
Breakthrough Therapy That Uses Kids’ Own Immune Cells To Fight Leukemia Approved By FDA
“We’re entering a new frontier in medical innovation with the ability to reprogram a patient’s own cells to attack a deadly cancer,” Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said. The price tag on the treatment is $475,000.
‘It’s Just The Right Thing To Do’: Sen. Harris Will Co-Sponsor Sanders’ Medicare-For-All Bill
The decision puts junior Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) at odds with Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who has cited concerns about the costs of such a plan.
State Exchange Commissioners Throw Support Behind Bipartisan Effort To Stabilize Marketplace
The leaders wrote to Congress saying that getting rid of the insurer subsidies would cause premiums to spike. Meanwhile, Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper are working on their own proposal to tweak the health law.
The official, who spoke to The New York Times, says President Donald Trump wants to stabilize the marketplace, but wouldn’t commit to saying the administration will pay for insurer subsidies or promote enrollment for the next year.
First Edition: August 31, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A selection of opinions on public health issues from around the country.
Perspectives: Savings From Importing Drugs Could Come At Cost Of Americans’ Lives
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Pharma Loves Cop Shows: A Look At How Industry Spends Its Money On TV Ads
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Media outlets report on news from Texas, Ohio, California, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Minnesota and Florida.
UnitedHealth To Acquire Advisory Board’s Health Operation In Latest High-Profile Takeover
UnitedHealth’s health services arm, Optum, has grown rapidly over the years with an aggressive spate of acquisitions.
Defense Secretary To Create Panel To Advise On Implementation Of Transgender Military Ban
In the meantime, transgender troops will be allowed to continue to serve.
Advocates Fear Children’s Health Insurance Could Be Threatened By Efforts To Change ACA
Funding runs out at the end of September for CHIP, which covers 8 million children around the country. But some lawmakers hope to attach more controversial measures to the bill. Also, a federal Medicaid program to help fight substance abuse is getting a slow start while California’s efforts are leading the way. And in Georgia, a new leader is named for the state Medicaid program.
Virginia Madueño says that after she attended a local health care town hall she realized “not only did I have a story to share but I had a cause, if you will. I could relate.”
