Latest KFF Health News Stories
Getting Rid Of Health Law Subsidies Could Cost Government Billions More Than It Would Save
A new study found that taxpayers would end up paying 23 percent more than the potential savings from eliminating the health law’s “cost-sharing” subsidies.
Compromise On Health Care Plan Woos Conservatives, But Silence From Moderates Is Deafening
Few moderates have said anything about the new measure beyond that they haven’t seen the text yet. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump promises his health plan will have premiums “tumbling down” and a new poll finds that most Republican voters still want the Affordable Care Act repealed.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Drug Treatment’s ROI; Seeking Work-Life Balance In Biomedical Research
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Opinion writers take on various aspects of the current debate surrounding the future of the Affordable Care Act and how Republican efforts to repeal and replace it are unfolding.
Media outlets report on news from Colorado, California, Maryland, Missouri, Louisiana, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Oregon, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Ohio, Georgia and Alaska.
Plans To Change Medicaid Unsettle Ky. Enrollees, Raise Fears For Conn. Ex-Prisoner Program
Low-income residents of Kentucky who gained coverage under the expansion of Medicaid are concerned that the governor’s plan for an overhaul could leave them without benefits again. In Connecticut, the Medicaid expansion helped fund services for people when they get out of prison, but that could be threatened by GOP efforts to revamp the health law.
State Laws Block Nurses From Administering Anti-Addiction Medication
Twenty-eight states prohibit nurse practitioners from prescribing buprenorphine unless they are working in collaboration with a doctor who has a federal license to prescribe it. The problem is, half of all counties in the U.S. do not have a single physician with such a license to prescribe the anti-addiction drug. Meanwhile, 19 attorneys general ask congressional leaders and President Donald Trump to not cut funding that is going toward fighting the opioid crisis.
Widespread And Growing Trend Of Physician Burnout Putting Patients’ Safety At Risk
The consequences of the burnout can range from medical errors and high mortality rates of hospitalized patients to lower medical knowledge and impaired professionalism. In other public health news: cholesterol-lowering drugs, knee replacements, an ad campaign for condoms, the bird flu and more.
Selling Hearing Aids Over The Counter Could Help Millions Of Americans
One company aims to shift views on the devices from being a sign of aging to “something that’s hip and cool,” as Congress considers a bill that would urge the FDA to allow hearing aids to be sold in drug stores.
Big Tobacco Raking In The Dough Despite Fewer Smokers, More Regulation
Cigarette makers have found they can more than make up for falling volumes with higher prices.
Thousands Take To The Streets Around The Country To Press For Support For Science
In addition to a major demonstration in Washington, D.C., marchers turned out in hundreds of other U.S. cities and abroad too.
Sexual Abuse Of Those In Nursing Homes Going Unreported, Undocumented
Sexual abuse is nationwide problem facing those living at longterm-care and assisted-living facilities, but too often it’s overlooked.
Suspended VA Official Says She’s Being Punished For Blowing Whistle On Clinic’s Practices
Dr. Barbara Temeck wrote prescriptions for a private patient, but her lawyer says his review of VA records shows that Temeck is facing a severe suspension that has not been imposed in even extreme cases of VA prescription misuse.
States Take Steps To Preemptively Protect Women’s Health Care From Federal Cuts
Some are introducing legislation to guarantee funding for Planned Parenthood while others move to plug any potential gaps from a possible repeal of the Affordable Care Act.
Marathon Withdraws From PhRMA Amid Lobbying Group’s Review Of Membership Criteria
The drugmaker announced it was discontinuing its membership after it completed its sale of its Duchenne muscular dystrophy drug earlier that day. Meanwhile, the pharmaceutical industry’s lobbying spending has skyrocketed.
Surgeon General, An Obama-Holdover, Asked To Resign
Rear Adm. Sylvia Trent-Adams, a nurse and Vivek Murthy’s deputy, will take the position of acting surgeon general.
Concerned Over Federal Uncertainty, States Move To Bolster Own Marketplaces
Idaho, Oklahoma and Minnesota have passed measures to relieve some of the burden of covering individuals under the Affordable Care Act from their insurers. Meanwhile, Access Health’s CEO says he’s worried more companies will leave the marketplaces, and consumers in Arizona struggle with skyrocketing rates.
Ryan Downplays Expectations For Health Care Vote As Lawmakers Come Back From Recess
Both the spending battle and the health care fight await lawmakers returning to Capitol Hill this week.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
