Latest KFF Health News Stories
In An Era Of A Deeply Divided Washington, VA Secretary Wins Rare Bipartisan Accolades
Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin, an Obama-era holdout, wasn’t President Donald Trump’s first pick for the job. He wasn’t even his second or third. But since Shulkin has taken over the position he’s made changes that have won him praise from both sides of the aisle.
According to one official, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has been directed to take a number of factors into consideration such as “military effectiveness,” budgetary constraints and “unit cohesion,” as well as others he deems “relevant.”
Sanders Continues To Beat Single-Payer Drum As Congress’ Attention Shifts Toward Tax Reform
Republicans are mocking Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) for his health care plan, but polls show the lawmaker has better favorability ratings in states that Donald Trump won than the president. Meanwhile, Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) is under attack from both sides for the role he played in the health law debates over the summer.
‘Outside Of The Noise’ Of Health Law Debate, Insurers Are Actually Beginning To Prosper
Although that healthier business outlook has been achieved at a big cost to consumers.
First Edition: August 28, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Health Risks And Information Security; How To Catch Up On Medical Drones
A selection of opinions on public health issues from around the country.
Research Roundup: Medicaid Expansion; All-Payer Systems
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Media outlets report on news from Maryland, Ohio, Iowa, California, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Florida and Pennsylvania.
Stark Rural-Urban Disparity Found In Teen Vaccination Rates
In other public health news: the effect suicide has on surviving siblings, as well as articles on stem cells and hair loss, adherence to a medication routine, antibiotics, gut bacteria, obesity and more.
‘We Didn’t Want To Sugarcoat It’: Obituaries Are Telling The Story Of Opioid Crisis
Some families of those who died from overdoses say they want others to know they’re not alone. Meanwhile, it’s hard to get an accurate tally on just how many people have died from the epidemic.
HIV Rate Among Inmates At Its Lowest Rate In Decades
The number of AIDS-related deaths also dropped significantly, the Department of Justice reports.
Single-Payer Rises From The Ashes Once More In California
Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon has announced that a special committee will hold hearings on the issue this fall.
Congress Facing Deadline For Another Health Program — This One For Children
Funding runs out Sept. 30 for the Children’s Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, which provides coverage for children in families that earn above the eligibility level for Medicaid. Also, Arkansas officials announce a streamlining of the state’s Medicaid operations, Georgia’s program runs into funding problems and New Mexico officials say the security breach in Medicaid operations there have been fixed.
Health Care Mergers Are Hot Right Now — But Why Do Some Get Blocked And Other’s Don’t?
Modern Healthcare takes a look at one of the latest proposed deals — a partnership between Presence Health and Ascension — and why it might succeed in getting federal approval.
Aetna Inadvertently Revealed HIV Status Of Some Of Its Customers
“It creates a tangible risk of violence, discrimination and other trauma,” Ronda Goldfein, the executive director of the AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania, says of the insurer’s mistake with its mailings.
N.Y. Hospital System Closing Its Insurance Plan, Citing Problems With Health Law Rules
Northwell Health says it is shutting down its CareConnect Insurance Co., which covers 126,000 state residents, because of the federal government’s inability to correct “regulatory flaws that have destabilized insurance markets.”
Sticker Shock Likely For Maryland Obamacare Plans
State regulators are expected to announce 2018 premiums today. Meanwhile, an analysis released Thursday details how one GOP health plan — the one being drafted by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) — would impact various states, and take a high toll on Connecticut.
Insurer Steps In To Provide ACA Coverage In Nation’s Last ‘Bare County’
Ohio-based insurer CareSource has agreed to sell plans in the individual marketplace for Paulding County, Ohio, the only place left to not have any coverage available.
First Edition: August 25, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Don’t Stop Studying The Effects Of Strip Mining; Responses To The Opioid Crisis
A selection of opinions on public health issues from around the country.
