Latest KFF Health News Stories
States Warn Families Of Impending Cuts As CHIP Funding Nears Depletion
By the end of the year, nearly half of all states will have run out of their 2017 Children’s Health Insurance Program allotment. Unless Congress acts, Colorado, Massachusetts, California and Ohio are bracing for the worst. Texas, on the other hand, got good news.
Media outlets report on news from Kansas, Texas, Colorado, Massachusetts, Arizona, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri and Georgia.
Public Health News: The Effect Of Pollution On Bones; The Growing Promise Of Gene Therapy
Media outlets also report on an effort by a coalition of health advocacy groups to keep Congress focused on the global fight against AIDS. Other reports include the latest advances in battlefield medicine and the Food and Drug Administration’s interest in nicotine-replacement therapies.
More Than Half Of Today’s Generation Of Kids Will Be Obese By Age 35
A New England Journal of Medicine study finds that even those who reach age 20 at a healthy weight still face substantial risk later in life. “I think the assumptions are pretty reasonable and their conclusions are pretty reasonable and, unfortunately, pretty scary,” says Stephen Daniels, chairman of pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
If Australia’s Flu Season Is Any Indication, U.S. Is In For A Long Winter
As flu season kicks off, health officials warn it may be severe this year. Also, Johns Hopkins researchers work to bring back the nasal spray version of the flu vaccine after it was sidelined due to ineffectiveness.
In other news on the national drug crisis: Republican lawmakers propose a bill to limit opioid prescriptions for first-time users; farmers are hit hard by the epidemic; and most Wisconsin counties sue painkiller manufacturers.
Caring Voice Coalition, a nonprofit that takes money from drug companies to help patients pay for medicines, may close since an Office of Inspector General citation finds that the organization improperly allowed donors to influence operations and the use of patient data.
HHS Health Reform Office Winds Down
The Department of Health and Human Services office originally set up to implement the Affordable Care Act has faced an uncertain future under the Trump administration. Meanwhile, a proposed administration rule change could take a toll on rural health.
Status Check: Obamacare Enrollment Slows In Week 4 Of Sign-Up Season
About 2.8 million people have signed up for 2018 Affordable Care Act coverage so far, but the pace slowed during the week ending Nov. 25 with 37 percent fewer people enrolling than the previous week.
The Tax Bill’s Impact On Health Policy: A Trigger For Medicare Cuts? Impact On Insurance Markets?
News outlets examine how some aspects of the House and Senate GOP tax plans currently winding their ways through Congress could impact the Medicare program. In addition, the Senate measure’s provision to repeal the individual mandate is raising concern among some insurance commissioners. However, the stock market sees benefits for the health sector.
Bill To Fix Health Law Wouldn’t Offset Coverage Losses If Mandate Is Repealed, CBO Estimates
The Congressional Budget Offices estimates that 4 million Americans would lose insurance coverage in 2019 if Congress repeals the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate as part of its tax legislation. The nonpartisan agency says that passing the Alexander-Murray bill, aimed at stabilizing the health law marketplaces, would not soften that blow.
Drug Pricing Dominates Senate Questioning Of HHS Nominee Alex Azar
Alex Azar testified Wednesday before a Senate committee considering his nomination to be the next head of the Department of Human and Human Services. Democratic lawmakers, and some Republicans like Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), raised questions about the former Eli Lilly executive’s policy positions and ability to regulate the industry where he made his career.
First Edition: November 30, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Worrisome Consolidation In Eyeglass Market; DOD-FDA Fight Highlights Approval Delays
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Perspectives: Drugmakers Seem To Be Getting Pass In Administration’s Efforts To Curb High Prices
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
The Supreme Court’s Patent Case That Has Pharma On Edge
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Media outlets report on news from Wisconsin, Texas, Arizona, California, Louisiana, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Montana and Minnesota.
Despite Controversies, Iowa Governor Offers Defense Of Medicaid Program
The state will provide oversight of Medicaid benefits for about 10,000 Iowans who could not gain coverage through the two remaining managed care companies participating in Iowa’s program. At the same time, Iowa’s new health director gave his agency and the Medicaid program positive marks in a presentation to Gov. Kim Reynolds. Meanwhile, court rulings in Arkansas and Louisiana impact funding for Planned Parenthood.
Contract Standoff Between Anthem And Hartford HealthCare Could Disrupt Services
Outlets report on hospitals and medical system news from Connecticut, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Florida and Kansas.
After Flint Water Crisis, Mich. Gov. Pushes For Replacement Of All Lead Pipes Within 20 Years
At the same time, though, Gov. Rick Snyder delayed for four years the implementation deadline for the nation’s toughest drinking water lead limit. In addition, Flint’s former utilities director pleads “no contest” in the city’s ongoing water probe.
