Latest KFF Health News Stories
White House Guidelines To Give Defense Secretary Six Months To Implement Transgender Ban
A memo will direct the Pentagon to stop admitting transgender people, and give Defense Secretary Jim Mattis the power to decide whether to kick active members out of service. Previously, the policy had only been laid out in a series of tweets from President Donald Trump.
At Meeting With Constituents, Sen. Heller Defends His Mixed Record In Health Law Debate
Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) voted to start debate in the Senate on a bill to replace Obamacare but voted against two repeal bills and supported a failed “skinny repeal” measure that would have kept the Medicaid expansion. Also in the news, Politico Pro examines how Arkansas’ request to trim back its Medicaid expansion could impact other states.
Critics Say Iowa’s Stopgap Plan For Its Individual Marketplace Hurts Low-Income Residents
But Iowa’s Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen argues that the proposed redistribution of federal subsidy dollars is necessary to make premiums more affordable for Iowans of all income levels, which will stabilize the marketplace.
Despite Public Tension, McConnell Promises He And Trump Have ‘Shared Goals’
President Donald Trump has lumped significant public blame for the failure of Congress’ repeal-and-replace efforts on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s shoulders.
Mix Of Republican, Democratic Governors Set To Testify At Senate Health Care Hearing
The state leaders will appear at the second of two hearings in front of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. They’ll be focusing on ways to make insurance more affordable and to shore up the individual marketplaces.
First Edition: August 24, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A selection of opinions on public health issues from around the country.
Different Takes: Medicare’s Troubles; What About Insurers And Preexisting Conditions?
Opinion writers offer their thoughts on a range of health policy issues, from the future of Medicare and how Medicaid expansion is working in states such as Georgia to insurance cost and coverage.
Perspectives: Congressional Investigation Into MS Drugs Is A Pageant We’ve Seen Before
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Expensive Cholesterol Drugs’ Value Falls Short Of Their Eye-Popping Price Tag, Doctors Say
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Media outlets report on news from Ohio, New Hampshire, California, Illinois and Minnesota.
For $39 A Month, This ‘Woebot’ May Fill Gaps For Patients Who Can’t See A Therapist
The creators of the chatbot see it as a way to help patients when a therapist isn’t available. “You can access it when you need it most,” says former Stanford researcher Alison Darcy. “If it’s 2 a.m. and you’re having a panic attack, a physician isn’t going to be available at that time.” Meanwhile, researchers find that wireless “smart” pill bottles don’t really do anything to help people remember to take their medicine.
Company Claims Heating, Rather Than Burning, Cigarettes Drastically Cuts Cancer Risk
But health advocates are skeptical, and are urging the Food and Drug Administration to carefully review the method before approving it. In other public health news: talcum powder and cancer, aging like an athlete and “mini organs.”
The Next Battlefield On The War Against Opioids: Veterinarians’ Offices
Some states are requiring vets to check the prescription histories of pets’ owners, but there are those who say they’re not qualified to be in that position. Meanwhile, a psychiatrist found a disturbing pattern of teenage suicide in areas affected by the opioid crisis.
The Eclipse Was An Expensive Two Minutes For Hospitals, Even Though Nothing Really Happened
For events like the solar eclipse, hospitals are faced with a Catch-22: if they’re not prepared and they get an influx of patients they get blamed, if they do prepare and nothing happens they’re stuck with the bill.
Chicago-Area Presence Health To Become Part Of Amita
If the deal goes through, Amita will have the most hospitals of any hospital system in Illinois.
Life Of Idaho Couple With Job Problems And No Insurance: ‘I Just Want Stability’
The Idaho Statesman profiles a well-educated couple facing the effects of diabetes and poor job prospects who are caught in the Medicaid gap. Meanwhile, Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) says he has a health care plan that would let people buy into states’ Medicaid plans. In New England, Maine Republicans are raising concerns about a referendum to expand Medicaid, and a New Hampshire official said federal officials were not responsive to the state’s questions about expansion.
Trump Doesn’t Name Names, But Takes Jab At McCain For Health Care Vote
President Donald Trump spoke to supporters in Sen. John McCain’s home state of Arizona on Tuesday night.
Thousands Likely To Drop Coverage If Feds Don’t Approve Stopgap Plan, Iowa Officials Say
Iowa Commissioner Doug Ommen filed a formal proposal Monday that aims to help Iowans who buy their own health insurance instead of obtaining it from an employer or government program, such as Medicare.
Kasich, Hickenlooper ‘Getting Very Close’ To Unveiling Bipartisan Health Plan
Republican Gov. John Kasich of Ohio and Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper of Colorado are focusing on stabilizing the marketplace, but are also looking into other idea that could have bipartisan support.
