Latest KFF Health News Stories
Research Roundup: Early Hospice Discharges Turn Profits; Integrating Mental Health Care
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Media outlets report on news from New Hampshire, California, Massachusetts, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Arizona, Texas, Ohio and Florida.
How D.C. Pulled Itself Back From The Brink Of An AIDS Epidemic
A decade ago, city officials realized they had to take action, and they turned the numbers around. Stateline looks at how they did it. In other public health news: a breakthrough on cancer, mental illness, female homicide victims, antibiotics and birth defects, heart health and more.
The online forum does not allow users to solicit illegal substances, but those seeking opioids find ways to get around those rules. On the other hand, the forums help some form a community to help get them through the difficult process of getting and staying sober.
Texas Sued Again Over Anti-Abortion Laws
Planned Parenthood and other groups are suing the state over its ban on a second-trimester procedure. Also in Texas, state lawmakers consider further abortion regulations. Elsewhere, women’s reproductive health issues draw headlines in Ohio and Washington state.
Trump Administration Seeking New Federal Payment System For Mental Health Services
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced it wants to design a payment or service delivery model to improve health care quality and access for Medicare, Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program beneficiaries who need behavioral health treatment.
Media outlets take a look at what bipartisan efforts might entail.
The Devil They Know: Some Americans’ Dread Of What Will Replace ACA Overtakes Distaste For Law
Even those who have been strongly opposed to the Affordable Care Act in the past are now speaking out in favor of keeping it. “Now that you’ve insured an additional 20 million people, you can’t just take the insurance away from these people,” says one Obamacare opponent. “It’s just not the right thing to do.”
Seema Verma’s ‘Street Credibility’ Helps As She Lobbies Senate For Obamacare Replacement
Verma is the new head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and a close ally of Vice President Mike Pence after helping him revamp Indiana’s Medicaid program. She is frequently on Capitol Hill to meet with wavering lawmakers. News outlets also look at Medicaid provisions in the Senate legislation and the effects on states.
What Trump Can Do To Torch Obamacare Even If Congress Fails To Act
The administration has already slashed advertising dollars, cut the enrollment window in half, and regularly pumps out anti-Obamacare videos and graphics — actions sure to reduce the number of people who sign up. And that’s just the start of what officials can do.
Without Including Cruz Amendment, CBO Report Paints Incomplete Picture Of Plan’s Impact
The numbers projected by the Congressional Budget Office — such as that 22 million Americans will lose coverage under the plan — haven’t changed much since June. But many say that without including the amendment that would allow insurers to sell cheaper plans, it doesn’t capture the full effects of the legislation.
With McCain’s Absence, McConnell Has One Less Vote To Spare But He’s Charging Ahead Anyway
Leadership is pushing for a vote on some form of health care legislation next Tuesday. Meanwhile, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who was just diagnosed with brain cancer, tells his sparring partners on the Hill that he won’t be gone for long.
For Republicans, Knowing The Plan They’ll Be Voting On Is A ‘Luxury We Don’t Have’
Confusion reigns supreme on Capitol Hill as leadership continues to push for a vote next week.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: The Logistics Of Overlapping Surgeries; ‘A World Without Antibiotics’
Opinion writers offer their thoughts on a range of public health issues.
Opinion writers examine how repealing Obamacare would play out in their states and towns.
Different Takes: A Win For Obamacare?; Women Senators Flex Muscles In Health Care Debate
Editorial writers offer a range of views on how the push to replace the Affordable Care Act reached its current state of collapse and what it means going forward.
Longer Looks: Reproductive Rights; Presidents And Health Care; And Limits Of Human Compassion
Each week, KHN finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets offer coverage out of New York, Kentucky, California, Texas, Ohio, Wisconsin and Florida.
Debate Flares Over Governor’s Drug Monitoring Program In Missouri
Gov. Eric Greitens’ order to create a registry in Missouri — the last state to have one — does not allow doctors to see if a patient has already been prescribed an opioid. Some lawmakers say more legislative action is needed. In other news on the national drug epidemic, Ohio’s board on workers’ compensation wants fewer opioids prescribed for back pain. And a Kansas City doctor is under investigation for prescriber kickbacks and insurer fraud.
