Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office issues its latest report on the American Health Care Act.
Viewpoints: The Rule Of Law And Subsidies; Anticipating CBO’s Score On The GOP Health Plan
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Opinion writers take a hard look at how health and safety net programs fare in the Trump administration’s proposed budget plan.
Perspectives: FDA Wades Into Pricing Controversy, But Doesn’t Have Authority To Actually Fix It
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Amazon Mulls Entering PBM Field, Even As These Middlemen Bear Brunt Of Blame Over High Drug Costs
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
With Little Federal Progress Being Made, States Step Up Own Efforts To Curb High Drug Prices
Bills in California and Nevada reflect a growing trend across the country. Outlets report on news out of Ohio, Texas and New York, as well.
Media outlets report on news from Arizona, Texas, California, Minnesota, Georgia, Colorado and Florida.
WHO’s Next Director-General Will Be First To Come From Africa
Former Ethiopian health minister Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has been elected to head the World Health Organization, the United Nations agency responsible for coordinating international responses to infectious disease epidemics like Ebola and Zika.
Teaching Hospitals Have Lower Death Rates For Older Patients Than Less Costly Community Hospitals
Researchers found that the 30-day mortality rate at major teaching facilities was 8.3 percent, compared with 9.5 percent at non-teaching ones. Today’s other public health stories cover child fatalities from car crashes, near-death experiences, botulism in California, and the heart benefits of chocolate.
A series by USA Today and The Associated Press offers a look at gun safety and children in different states.
Some States, Facing Tight Budgets, Working To Recertify Medicaid Enrollees’ Eligibility
Missouri, Wyoming and Mississippi have enacted laws to scrutinize whether Medicaid or food stamp recipients are eligible, and several other states are considering such measures. News outlets also report on Medicaid news from Oregon, Iowa, Indiana and Kansas.
Review Of H-1B Visa Practices Imperils Efforts To Attract Foreign Doctors To Underserved Areas
The Trump administration has suspended the 15-day expedited process to obtain an H-1B visa. Those visas are often used by hospitals and medical groups to hire foreign-born workers in specialty fields.
Moderate At Center Of House Health Bill Negotiations Gives Up Chairman Position
Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-N.J.), who worked with Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) to get the GOP health plan through a reluctant House, said his decision to quit his position as head of the Tuesday Group was because some of the members have “a very different view of governing.”
A Plea To Congress From The Industry: Give Us A Short-Term Fix To Stabilize Marketplace
Hospitals, physician groups, health insurers and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are all asking lawmakers to step in to make sure the marketplaces don’t collapse amid the uncertainty around the Affordable Care Act and the Republicans’ efforts to dismantle it. Meanwhile, there’s growing pressure for the Senate to pass a version of the legislation before August recess. And CEOs are hiding behind big lobbying groups when it comes to wielding influence on the plan.
Washington Waits With Bated Breath For CBO Score On GOP Health Plan
The politically bruised agency is expected to release the score Wednesday, which will determine whether the Senate can move forward with any plans to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.
Proposed Gutting Of Drug Czar’s Funding Rolled Back To Just Trims After Vocal Outcry
A draft of the president’s budget had shown a proposed 95 percent cut to the office in the middle of an opioid epidemic. But the released plan walks that back. Meanwhile, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb is calling on his staff to increase efforts to fight the crisis sweeping the country.
President’s Blueprint Targets The Very People Who Helped Put Him Into Office
The proposed cuts are “a slap in the face,” some voters say.
Proposed Cuts Land With A Thunk In Congress: ‘The Budget Was Dead Before The Ink Was Dry’
The severe cuts contained in President Donald Trump’s proposed budget are meeting stiff bipartisan resistance in Congress.
Medicaid Cuts In Trump’s Budget Would Be ‘Just Awful,’ Advocates Say
President Donald Trump is proposing $800 billion in cuts to the program, as well as deep trims to the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
