Latest KFF Health News Stories
In Turnaround, FDA To Allow Genetic Tests To Be Sold To Consumers
The decision to let 23andMe sell saliva-testing kits that report on markers for 10 diseases is expected to open the floodgates for more at-home tests for disease risks.
FDA’s Process Dinged For Being ‘Burdensome And Slow,’ But It’s Faster Than Its European Counterpart
Dr. Scott Gottlieb, President Donald Trump’s pick to head the Food and Drug Administration, has been focused on what he’ll do to speed up the drug approval process to make it more like Europe. But the FDA is actually faster already. Meanwhile, a Medicare advisory panel backs a plan that could save $5 billion over five years in drug costs. And taxpayers fund pharmaceutical research but then have to pay exorbitant prices on those drugs — but if the U.S. government doesn’t do it, no one will.
Aetna Exits Iowa’s Health Law Exchanges, Saying Moves To Stabilize Marketplace Not Enough
The decision comes on the heels of Iowa’s other major insurer — Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield — announcing it will no longer sell plans on the health law marketplace.
Striking Three Things From Health Bill Would Win Over Freedom Caucus
Rep. Mark Meadows (R- N.C.) said the caucus would support the legislation if it did away with essential health benefits; community rating, which says insurers can’t charge sick people more for insurance; and guaranteed issue, which says insurers must cover people with pre-existing conditions.
Last-Minute Tweak To GOP Health Bill Does Little To Ease Intraparty Standoff
Republicans add language to create a risk-sharing fund, but both sides that have been fighting over the legislation say the change is not enough. Yet, House leadership tells members that they could be called back from recess early if a health plan deal is reached.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A collection of public health opinions on health care from around the country.
Perspectives On The GOP’s Next Moves In The Effort To Repeal And Replace The Health Law
Editorial writers take a hard look at how Republicans are falling short in their attempt to renew their repeal-and-replace push.
Longer Looks: Fixing Obamacare; Kansas’ Medicaid Vote; And John Oliver On Marijuana
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Outlets report on news from Connecticut, Ohio, Texas, Maryland, California and Florida.
The Answer To Organ Shortages? This Scientist Thinks It’s Designer Pigs
Luhan Yang remains undaunted in the face of the unprecedented challenges of designing pigs that can host organs for humans use.
Hospice Workers Face History Of Neglect In Trying To Overcome African-American Distrust
Stat looks at efforts to tackle the issue of minority access to hospice care as a matter of social justice. In related news stories, former Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius urges doctors to allow patients to drive end-of-life care decisions while researchers study how diet might help ward off Alzheimer’s.
Mass. Medical Society Mulls Supporting Supervised Injection Sites For Drug Users
The facilities have a doctor or nurse on duty to monitor those who are using drugs so that it creates an environment where they have a better chance at surviving the experience. Outlets report on news on the crisis out of New Hampshire and Michigan as well.
23 Percent Of Adults Carry HPV Virus, CDC Reports
In other public health news: aspirin, premature babies, pesticides, ER trips, adult ADHD and more.
Aspects Of Modern Life Make World More Vulnerable To Devastating Global Pandemic
Experts agree that whatever the next one is, it will be a surprise. CNN offers stories about diseases and how they spread as part of a look at this unseen enemy.
Louisiana Republicans Decry Increases In Medicaid Spending After Expansion
As state officials announce that Louisiana’s spending on Medicaid will likely make up about half the budget in 2018, state Rep. John Schroder says, “This is growing uncontrollably.” And other Medicaid developments from Iowa, Wisconsin and Kentucky make news.
Democrats To Trump: There’s Something You Can Do Now About Those High Drug Prices
Lawmakers urge the president to use his authority to issue guidelines on overriding patents. Meanwhile, a major medical society comes out against right-to-try laws for the first time.
Contract Research Gets Boost From House Bill
The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Patrick Meehan (R-Pa.) would give companies that conduct this kind of research a sizable tax credit.
Defunding for Planned Parenthood was tied into the Republicans’ health care bill, and now that talks around it are collapsing, abortion opponents are left scrambling. Meanwhile, Politico looks at Ivanka Trump’s quiet attempts to reach out to the organization.
Gottlieb: FDA Doesn’t Have To Choose Between Speed And Safety
Dr. Scott Gottlieb, President Donald Trump’s pick to head the Food and Drug Administration, answered questions about drug safety, the opioid epidemic, his potential conflicts of interests and more at his Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee confirmation hearing.
