Latest KFF Health News Stories
Heavy Painkiller Use, Abuse Remains Serious Problem For Medicare Patients, Report Finds
Doctor shopping — obtaining large amounts of the drugs prescribed by four or more doctors and filled at four or more pharmacies — also appears to be a major issue in the program.
Report On FDA’s Tool For Tracking Side Effects In Drugs Finds Incomplete Data
“Not only does this data show that manufacturer performance is weak, by not revising its systems, the [Food and Drug Administration] is also missing an opportunity to enhance to post-marketing surveillance,” said Thomas Moore, an ISMP senior scientist.
CMS Considers Slashing 340B Payments As Way To Curb High Drug Spending
With the proposed changes, if a drug costs $84,000, CMS would pay just over $65,000, instead of $89,000.
House Votes Down Proposal To Block Funds For Soldiers Seeking Gender-Related Medical Treatment
“It’s a hurtful amendment, it’s not needed,” said Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla), a noted advocate for LGBT rights who has a transgender son. “I view it as a personal issue, because as a mom I’m impacted, but it’s an issue of fairness for everyone.”
Federal Fund For Fetal Tissue Research Prohibited In HHS Spending Proposal
A House subcommittee’s draft 2018 spending plan bars federal funds from being spent on such research, a win for conservatives who are also taking aim at money for family planning programs. Only a small portion of the NIH budget was spent on fetal tissue research in 2016.
Ohio Working Quietly To Wiggle Out Of ACA Mandates
Ohio is seeking waivers for the individual and employer mandates in the Affordable Care Act. Meanwhile, Colorado is expected to announce its premium increases today, and residents have been warned to be braced for sharp hikes.
Health Of Medicare Trust Fund Improves, Staving Off Need For Dreaded ‘Death Panels’
The board reports that it will be depleted in 2029, a year later than the Obama administration had last projected. The estimate helped avoid activating the Independent Payment Advisory Board.
412 Charged In DOJ’s Largest-Ever Health Care Fraud Takedown
“Too many trusted medical professionals like doctors, nurses and pharmacists have chosen to violate their oaths and put greed ahead of their patients,” says Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Many of the crimes were related to the opioid epidemic sweeping the country.
Trump: ‘The Only Thing More Difficult Than Peace Between Israel And The Palestinians Is Health Care’
Despite acknowledging how tough it is going to be to get legislation passed, President Donald Trump voiced optimism that Congress will get it done.
Two Republican Senators Offer A Plan B If Leadership’s Measure Fails
Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) have been working on a measure that they could sell to Democrats as a “repair” bill.
Is Polar Payoff The New Cornhusker Kickback? Change In GOP’s Plan Benefits Alaska, And Alaska Only
Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska is a crucial vote, and a new provision seems to recognize that fact.
Three Obamacare Taxes Left In Place In Revised Version Of Health Bill
The move is a departure from earlier plans to repeal the taxes.
Despite Outcry From Moderates, Governors, Deep Medicaid Cuts Left Mostly Untouched
The reduction of more than $750 billion to the program over a decade is one of the sticking points for many Republicans opposed to the legislation.
New Bill Tries To Lure Conservatives With Option To Sell Cheap, Bare Bone Insurance Plans
The option is part of an amendment by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) that was included in the newly unveiled legislation despite insurers’ warning that it will further destabilize the marketplace.
Road To 50 Votes Paved With Uncertainty, Doubts Despite Changes In Drafts
Sens. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) have already said they won’t support the new bill, which leaves Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell no room for error in his quest for 50 votes.
GOP Unveils Tweaked Health Care Bill In Its Attempt To Woo Reluctant Senators
Here’s a look at some of the overall changes that were made between the two drafts.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
GOP Tweaks Health Bill In Attempt To Appease Both Sides But Doubts Remain
There have been concessions made to both moderates and conservatives, but the road to 50 votes is far from clear.
Viewpoints: Obamacare Options; Is It Really Exploding Or Imploding?; Reforming Medicaid
Opinion writers offer their analysis of the ongoing debate on Capitol Hill and across the country over health care reforms and other issues.
Longer Looks: The Future Of Repeal; A New ‘War On Drugs’; And IVF Innovations
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
