Latest KFF Health News Stories
Key Florida Lawmaker Says State, Federal Cuts To Medicaid Will Reach $650 Million
But state Sen. Anitere Flores says the effect on hospitals may be mitigated by other federal funding that is expected. News outlets also report on Medicaid news in Wisconsin, Mississippi and Minnesota.
Trump Issues Order To Protect VA Whistleblowers, But Some Say Changes Are ‘All Hot Air’
The president says the new Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection will make clear “that we will never, ever tolerate substandard care for our great veterans.” Some in Veterans Affairs are worried though that it will simply be more failed bureaucracy.
Trump’s FDA Pick, Scott Gottlieb, Clears Committee And Heads To Full Senate Vote
Democrats have voiced concerns about Gottlieb’s ties to the pharmaceutical industry, but the nominee has had a fairly smooth confirmation process thus far.
Spending Negotiations Hit Snag Over Medicaid Funding For Puerto Rico, Abortion Regulations
Puerto Rico is projected to exhaust a $6.4 billion Medicaid grant before the end of the year and has been struggling without replacement funding.
Insurers Left In Limbo As Deadline To File 2018 Rates Draws Ever Closer
“So basically we’ve got four to six weeks to figure out some basic things that will help all of us in the industry to have more surety and stability, so we can price our premiums lower,” says Tom Policelli, CEO of Minuteman Health. At the very least, many insurers want to know if the subsidy payments Trump used as a negotiating threat will continue.
Health Care Groups Tell House Republicans That Revisions ‘Make Bad Bill Even Worse’
Organizations representing doctors, hospitals and older Americans each came out against the latest version of the GOP plan to replace the federal health law.
Moderates Balk At Undermining Coverage For Those With Preexisting Conditions
Negotiations to bring conservatives on board with the Republican health care plan have brought coverage for people with preexisting conditions — an issue that’s plagued both sides of the aisle when it comes to making health care affordable — back into the spotlight.
Intraparty Struggles On Display As GOP Leaders Concede Health Care Vote Won’t Come This Week
An amendment on preexisting conditions and essential health benefits was added to the legislation to woo conservatives, but now leaders aren’t sure if they have enough moderate votes. The White House had been pushing for a vote before President Donald Trump’s milestone of 100 days in office.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Reducing Harm Reduces Overdose Deaths; Trump Undermines Women’s Access To Health Care
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Opinion writers offer their thoughts on what is happening with efforts to repeal and replace the health law as well as other steps that could result in meaningful health care change.
Longer Looks: Black Market Insulin; Opioid Deaths; Birth Control Access
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the web.
Media outlets report on news from Michigan, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Iowa and Illinois.
California’s Long-Shot Single-Payer Health Bill Advances
“It is time to say once and for all that health care is a right, not a privilege for those who can afford it,” said Democratic state Sen. Ricardo Lara of Bell Gardens, who wrote the bill along with Democratic state Sen. Toni Atkins of San Diego. However, an essential question is unanswered: Where will the money come from?
Motivated By Current Political Climate, International Group To Provide Abortion Pill Advice In U.S.
Women Help Women is a business headquartered in the Netherlands that provides women with counseling on abortion medication through its websites. And, media outlets report on other women’s health news out of Louisiana, Kansas, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Texas.
Stem Cells Touted As Miraculous Cure For Some Diseases Found To Have Cancer-Causing Mutations
Five out of 140 registered stem lines have cells with the mutation, two of which had been used in clinical trials in an unknown number of patients. In other public health news: tracing the origins of autism and epilepsy; reality meets hype when it comes to cancer drugs; funding the Zika battle; caregiving and dementia; and more.
Escalation To Elephant Tranquilizers Marks New Normal In Rampant Opioid Epidemic
Recent deaths in a handful of states have been tied to carfentanil, which is 100 times more potent than the already-powerful fentanyl. “It shows how callous these drug dealers are,” Synan said. “It has no human use whatsoever and they’re putting it out on the street and wreaking havoc.”
Little-Known, Cheap Blood-Clotting Drug Could Reduce Hemorrhages For Women After Labor
The drug costs less than $2 and doesn’t need to be refrigerated, a boon for developing countries.
Ark. Governor Expected To Ask Lawmakers To Trim Eligibility For Medicaid Expansion Program
Under the plan — previewed by state officials — about 60,000 people who gained Medicaid through the health law’s expansion will lose coverage but they could instead apply for insurance through Obamacare marketplace policies. Also, the Florida House passed a bill that would set up work requirements for Medicaid enrollees.
A New Way To Address High Drug Costs: Look At What’s Being Thrown Into The Trash
Nursing homes routinely dispose of good prescription medication when they could be funneling the pills to needy patients.
