Latest KFF Health News Stories
Media outlets report on news from Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Maryland, Florida, Washington and Texas.
Deficiencies In Detention Centers’ Medical Care Contributed To Immigrants’ Deaths, Report Finds
“There is significant evidence that ICE does know about many of the deficiencies in its medical care system, but that it has failed to take swift and appropriate action,” the Human Rights Watch says in the report.
Anti-Abortion Democrat’s Mayoral Bid Exposes Cracks In ‘One Voice’ Party Line
Is there room for anti-abortion lawmakers in the Democratic Party? Leaders are split on the issue.
This Research On How Salt Affects Our Bodies Just Upended 200 Years Of Accepted Knowledge
Salt may actually be involved in weight loss. In other public health news: Facebook and suicide, loneliness in seniors, gunshot wounds, and autism.
‘Enormous’ Disparity In Longevity Rates Between Counties Is Only Getting Worse
There are pockets in the country where people can expect to live 20 years less than residents in other areas. The research echoes other findings in recent years that show that the United States is failing to keep up with improvements in longevity seen in other affluent nations.
Senator, Concerned About Pharma’s Influence, Asks HHS To Delay Opioid Workshop
The workshop, hosted by the Food and Drug Administration, is designed to review the ways that physicians can treat pain and safely prescribe opioids. But Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) is concerned that the preliminary list of groups that are scheduled to participate in the workshop have ties to drugmakers. Meanwhile, states are being overwhelmed by the increased popularity of fentanyl.
Questions To Ask To Help You Avoid Surprise Medical Bills
In the world of murky prices and “gotcha” medical bills, there are some things a patient can do in advance to avoid getting blindsided by the cost of care.
Anthem Tries To Salvage Merger By Asking Judge To Stop Cigna From Pulling Out Of Deal
The judge expressed reservations about allowing the deal to be terminated but said it was “a long shot” for Anthem to succeed in winning merger approval.
Half Of Enrollees In Indiana’s New Medicaid Program Didn’t Make Required Payments
The program, which was set up by former governor Mike Pence, who is now vice president, and consultant Seema Verma, who now heads the agency that runs Medicaid and Medicare, requires people getting benefits to contribute to their premiums if they want the top level of care. State officials said, however, that only a small share of those who missed a payment ended up losing their health care for the state’s required six-month lockout period. News outlets also reported on Medicaid news from Alabama, Kansas and Nevada.
Biotech Leaders, NIH Officials Tout Benefits Of Research Spending During White House Meeting
But President Donald Trump’s proposal to cut nearly $6 billion from the National Institutes of Health budget was one of “several elephants in the room” that did not come up during the meeting, according to NIH Director Francis Collins.
VA Is In ‘Critical Condition But Moving Toward Stable,’ Agency’s Hands-On Chief Says
Dr. David Shulkin, by his own admission, is an unlikely choice to overhaul veterans services under President Donald Trump.
In Early Filings, Insurers Seeking Hefty Premium Increases For Obamacare Plans
Filings have been made public in only three states so far, but an analysis by Bloomberg finds prices there rising 20 percent on average. Helping drive the increases are insurers’ concerns about the Trump administration’s plans to enforce the health law’s requirement that people get insurance or pay a penalty.
Beyond Preexisting Conditions: GOP’s Change To Essential Benefits Would Affect Nearly Everyone
The Affordable Care Act requires health plans sold to individuals to include 10 essential health benefits. Some plans offered by employers also include those benefits and cannot impose annual or lifetime limits on reimbursements for those expenses. The Republican plan allows states to scrap those protections. Media outlets also examine other ways the Republicans’ health care legislation would affect Americans, even if they’re not buying coverage through Obamacare.
Energized Democrats Hope Republicans Sealed Their Own 2018 Fate With Health Votes
Just as the Democrats faced the political ramifications of voting for the Affordable Care Act in 2010, Republicans could encounter their own backlash in the upcoming midterms. Meanwhile, members are facing angry constituents as they go home to hold town halls.
Strategy To Exclude Moderates, Women From 13-Man Working Group May Come Back To Bite McConnell
The more moderate senators now have no obligation to fall in line behind the group’s final health law draft and will almost surely continue to work on their own ideas. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump plans to take a hands-off approach to the upper chamber’s negotiations and let Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) wrangle the votes he needs.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Ohio Needs A Lead-Poisoning Fix; The Impact Of Trump’s Executive Order On Contraception
A selection of public health opinions from around the country.
Thinking About The Senate: How Their Version Of Repeal And Replace Could Be Different
Editorial writers begin to contemplate the next step for the GOP’s health plan.
Perspectives On Who Might Feel Pain From The House-Passed Health Bill
Columnists and editorial writers offer details about how people with substance-abuse issues and other chronic and acute health problems could face hardship under this proposal.
Defending The House Vote: What The GOP Plan Gets Right; How It Could Be A Step Forward
Columnists celebrate the passage of the American Health Care Act.
