Latest KFF Health News Stories
Media outlets report on news from New York, Massachusetts, Virginia, Texas, Connecticut, Florida, California, Colorado and Missouri.
Price Tag For Universal Health Care In California Would Run $400B
A state Senate panel considering the measure says that money for existing public programs could cover half the cost of a single-payer system to cover all 39 million Californians. But the rest might have to come from new taxes — a serious political obstacle.
Some St. Louis Catholics are challenging the city’s so-called abortion sanctuary ordinance that is aimed at protecting women from discrimination by an employer or landlord based on whether they’ve had an abortion, used contraceptives or are pregnant.
Women Who Drink Just One Glass Of Alcohol A Day Face Increased Breast Cancer Risk
Researchers also, for the first time, concluded evidence is strong that vigorous exercise reduces that risk. In other public health news: sun damage, opioid addiction medication, baby boxes, intelligence genes, gender-confirmation surgeries, and more.
New Hampshire Governor Supports Moving State To High-Risk Pool Model
Meanwhile, the state’s conservatives speak out against reported rate increases for next year. “The latest premium increases under Obamacare will break many families’ budgets,” says New Hampshire Republican State Committee Chairman Jeanie Forrester.
$2M Ad Blitz In Support Of GOP Health Plan Targets Vulnerable Republicans’ Districts
The group launching the campaign, the American Action Network, is aligned with House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.).
Disagreement Over Preexisting Conditions Reveals Deep Intra-Party Divide Over Health Law
The push-and-pull between moderate and conservative Republicans is not limited to the House debates. Cracks in the Senate are showing as well.
Head Of CMS Accused Of Offering Insurers Quid Pro Quo For Support Of GOP Health Bill
According to a Los Angeles Times investigation, during a meeting with industry officials, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services head Seema Verma linked payment of the insurers’ subsidies to providers’ support of the American Health Care Act.
Administration Asks For More Time In Insurer Subsidy Case, Keeping Destabilized Marketplace In Limbo
House Republicans, who filed the suit against the Obama administration, say the subsidies paid to insurers for reducing deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs for low-income consumers are unconstitutional because Congress did not specifically authorize the payments.
Trump’s Struggle With Syntax, Sentence Structure Could Signal Cognitive Decline, Experts Say
Stat talked with experts in neurolinguistics and cognitive assessment, as well as psychologists and psychiatrists, to analyze President Donald Trump’s changing speech patterns and what they might mean about the health of his brain.
Medical Research, Disease Prevention Programs Would Be Casualties Of Trump’s ‘Skinny Budget’
The budget for the Health and Human Services Department, which was briefly posted online and then removed, shows deep cuts to a variety of health care programs. The National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration would also be strongly impacted.
Trump’s Proposed Budget Slices Safety Net For Poor, Disabled
President Donald Trump wants to slash Medicaid by more than $800 billion and slim down the Children’s Health Insurance Program, as well.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Problems In The Meat Industry; Trump’s ‘Global Gag Rule’; Opioid Fight Stumbles
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Thoughts On Health Reform: Decision On Subsidies Due Today; Protect Kids In Medicaid
Opinion writers reflect on changes for the nation’s health care system.
Media outlets report on news from Virginia, Texas, California, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Georgia, Florida, Ohio and Wisconsin.
Merger Would Make Steward Health Care The Largest Private For-Profit Hospital Operator
Boston-based Steward Health Care System announces that it will acquire Franklin, Tenn.-based IASIS Healthcare for $2 billion.
Dwindling Supply Of Vital But Simple Drug Setting Hospitals On Edge
Because of the shortage, doctors are having to make tough decisions on how they treat their patients. “Does the immediate need of a patient outweigh the expected need of a patient?” one asked. “It’s a medical and ethical question that goes beyond anything I’ve had to experience before.” In other public health news: infertility, pumping breast milk, services for deaf patients, neuroscience, probiotics and more.
Pediatricians: Babies Shouldn’t Drink Juice In First Year Of Life
The doctors want to battle the misconception that children need the sugary drinks.
Carfentanil Intensifying Already Deadly Opioid Epidemic
The synthetic drug is 10,000 times more potent than morphine.
