Latest KFF Health News Stories
Lawmakers Make Plea To WHO To Do Everything In Its Power To Prevent Global Opioid Crisis
“The greed and recklessness of one company and its partners helped spark a public health crisis in the United States that will take generations to fully repair,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter to the organization. “Please learn from our experience and do not allow Mundipharma to carry on Purdue’s deadly legacy on a global stage.”
Patients Might Miss Spiking Cost Of A Medication Due To Drugmaker Copay Coupons, Report Says
A Blue Cross Blue Shield Association report finds that the percentage of prescriptions filled using such coupons increased from 13 percent to 19 percent between 2013 and 2016. In other pharma industry news: Mylan, Pfizer and what seniors can do if they are denied coverage of a drug by Medicare.
Arkansas Votes To Shift More People Off Medicaid, Enact Work Requirements
The legislation would lower the eligibility cap for the program from 138 percent of the federal poverty level to 100 percent. Outlets report on Medicaid news out of Missouri and Virginia as well.
Medica Threatens To Withdraw From Iowa’s ACA Marketplace, Leaving It On Brink Of Collapse
If the insurer follows through, all but five counties in the state would have no insurers to choose from on the exchanges. Meanwhile, Aetna announced it is quitting Virginia’s marketplaces.
Trumpcare, If It Passes, Has An Ardent Enemy In Form Of The Health Care Industry
The health care industry has not only been shut out of negotiations, but actively dislikes what it has seen of the proposed changes that would come along with the GOP plan. Meanwhile, the president’s press secretary says it’s “impossible” to predict the effects the legislation will have.
Even People With Employer-Sponsored Health Care Will Be Affected By GOP’s Plan
Republicans’ repeal-and-replace plan seeks changes that will be have a widespread impact throughout the marketplace, not just for people buying individual coverage.
Disgruntled Moderates Aim Ire At Tuesday Group Leader: ‘You Are Going To Make Us Lose The Majority’
Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-N.J.) worked with the conservative Freedom Caucus to help revise the Republicans’ health care plan, but it’s not winning him any favors with his moderate colleagues.
Additional $8B For High-Risk Pools Swayed Lawmakers But Experts Say It Isn’t Enough
Protections for those with preexisting conditions have been a major talking point during this week’s negotiations to try to move the Republican health care plan through the House. Media outlets look at what they are, if the additional money will be cover those who need care, and the history of high-risk pools.
Where Republican Lawmakers Stand On the Revised Health Care Bill
Media outlets look at who is voting “no” on the legislation, who is undecided and who leadership is targeting to support the bill.
‘We Have Enough Votes’: GOP Confident Health Plan Will Pass With Help From New Amendment
Still, the vote, expected to happen around lunchtime Thursday, is anticipated to be a nail-biter down to the last minute.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: GOP Sabotage Could Set Up A Health Care Emergency; Taking On Obamacare Yet Again
A selection of health-related opinions from around the country.
Perspectives: Direct-To-Consumer Ads Let Pharma Plant The Idea That Something Is Wrong With Us
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Side Effects May Include Overdrawn Bank Accounts: Group Goes After Drug Prices With Spoof Ad
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Media outlets report on news from Delaware, Florida, New York, New Hampshire, Texas, Connecticut, Ohio, Utah, Kansas, Tennessee, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland.
Hospital Funding Fight Holds Up Florida Budget Negotiations
State lawmakers disagree on how to spread out $650 million in Medicaid payments to hospitals. Elsewhere, rural communities and at-risk populations feel the impact of hospital difficulties in Missouri and Georgia.
Tighter, Obama-Era Regulations Of E-Cigarettes Delayed So New Administration Can Review
There has been concerted push back from the industry over the new rules.
Disparity In Longevity Between Black, White Americans Narrowing, But Gap Still Remains
Although there have been gains, the report shows the United States has a long way to go before it achieves health equity as blacks in every age group under 65 continue to have significantly higher death rates than whites.
Regulations that have been baked into the Medicaid program are thwarting advocates’ efforts in the battle against opioids. A handful of states are now seeking federal waivers as a way to get around them. Media outlets report on the crisis out of Maryland, Georgia, Florida and Pennsylvania.
Missouri’s Move To Privatize Medicaid: Cost Efficiency Or Putting Patients At Risk?
News outlets also report on Medicaid developments related to how helping homeless patients saves money for California’s Medicaid Program as well as news about Puerto Rico and congressional funding in the pending omnibus spending bill.
