Latest KFF Health News Stories
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.
With New Rule, Administration Wants To Give States More Flexibility On ACA’s Essential Benefits
Issued late in the day on Friday, the 365-page plan also proposes other changes to the inner workings of the health insurance markets.
Health Law’s Open Enrollment To Kick Off This Week Amid Confusion, Cries Of Sabotage
Experts expect enrollment to drop significantly in part because of the Trump administration’s moves to slash funding for marketing and navigators, and to roll back policies meant to protect consumers.
First Edition: October 30, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: A Legal Twist On Talcum Powder; FDA Can Help Patients Get Experimental Meds
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Editorial pages offer different perspectives about how to proceed in addressing the current and future challenges faced by the Affordable Care Act’s individual insurance market.
