Latest KFF Health News Stories
Opinion writers offer a variety of ideas about the nation’s continuing opioid epidemic.
Editorial pages examine a range of policy issues, from the need for Congress to act regarding funding for community health centers to the impact of the Trump administration’s so-called Obamacare “sabotage” as well as what the Wall Street Journal calls the “game of health care thrones.”
Media outlets report on news from Puerto Rico, Texas, Massachusetts, Missouri, Georgia, Oklahoma, Colorado, New Mexico, Tennessee, Iowa, Kansas and Florida.
Maryland Hospitals Receive Low Grades For Avoiding Medical Errors, Says New Assessment
The review by the Leapfrog Group finds Maryland hospitals rank near the bottom nationally for certain quality measures. Meanwhile, the District of Columbia’s only public hospital also faces challenges regarding patient safety. News outlets also report on technology developments at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and a merger between two New Hampshire facilities.
Men Who Rape Share Behaviors–But They Don’t Break Down Into Traditional Demographics
Understanding perpetrators can be a crucial key to preventing rape, but it’s also a hard topic to study. In other public health news: Medication to treat alcoholism, a look into the Las Vegas shooter’s mind, exercise and weight, drowsy driving, and more.
Stat gets an exclusive look at the plan that will be unveiled Wednesday. In other news, drugmakers are under pressure from a new coalition that’s seeking information on how these companies are responding to the increased business risks caused by the opioid crisis, researchers study what happens to those who have been revived by anti-overdose medication, and former President Bill Clinton speaks about the national epidemic.
Policy Banning Transgender Troops From Serving Blocked By Federal Judge
U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly issues an injunction, saying that the policy seemed to be based on a “disapproval of transgender people generally.”
Maine’s Vote On Medicaid Seen As Bellwether Of National Views On Key Obamacare Provision
Next week, voters in Maine will decide whether to expand Medicaid under the provisions of the federal health law. Gov. Paul LePage (R) is fighting it, arguing that the small, economically struggling state with an aging population cannot afford the expansion. Supporters say it will help thousands of people who do not have care now. In other Medicaid news, a California company ends its transportation contract with Idaho, and changes planned in New Mexico come under fire.
More Than 150 Lawmakers Ask Congress To Pull Community Health Centers Back From Funding Cliff
The federal money for the centers expired in September, and the letter from the bipartisan group of lawmakers says about 2,800 health center sites would close, “endangering the health care of about 9 million patients,” if the funding isn’t renewed.
With New Rule, Trump Wants To Relax ACA Standards, Give States More Flexibility
Here’s a look at how the proposed rule would change the marketplaces. Meanwhile, the House and the administration want to continue to pause the court case dealing with insurer subsidies, but Democrats want to push forward with it.
The Theme For Open Enrollment This Year? Rampant Confusion
Open enrollment for 2018 health coverage under the Affordable Care Act starts on Wednesday. But consumers across the country have been left scratching their heads — if they know they even still need coverage at all.
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.
