Morning Breakouts

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Highly Touted Immunotherapy Can Actually Unleash Full Fury Of Cancer Rather Than Thwarting It

Morning Briefing

Researchers are noticing that in some cases using immunotherapy can actually cause tumors to enter a hyperactive phase. In other public health news: faulty diagnoses, the effect being overweight has on life span, skin cancer, vaccinations, Alzheimer’s and more.

Administration Cuts Funding To U.N. Program, Saying It Supported Coercive Abortions

Morning Briefing

The funds will be shifted to similar programs at the U.S. Agency for International Development. Meanwhile, a federal judge comes down against an Indiana ultrasound measure and a look at how Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin would be affected if federal money is cut off from the organization.

VA To Detail Improvements To Suicide Hotline Following Troubling Report On Its Flaws

Morning Briefing

Calls to the Veterans Crisis Line that rolled over to backup centers steadily declined from 31 percent in early November, to just 0.1 percent as of March 25, according to internal VA data submitted to Congress. In other news, the Senate moved to allow the VA to continue operating its Choice program until its money runs out, expected to occur early next year.

Judge Allows UnitedHealthcare Suit To Move Forward On Medicare Advance Overpayments

Morning Briefing

U.S. District Judge Rosemary Collyer said the federal government’s legal obligations on Medicare Advantage insurers are subject to judicial review, Modern Healthcare reports. Also, the government announced it was slightly increasing the rate it pays Medicare Advantage insurers in 2018.

Lawmakers On Both Sides Dig In Heels Over Drastic Cuts To NIH Funding

Morning Briefing

“I’m extremely concerned about the potential impact of the 18 percent cut,” said Rep. Tom Cole, the Republican chairman of the House Appropriations subcommittee responsible for the National Institutes of Health. Meanwhile, Rep. Nita Lowey, senior Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, said the proposed cuts could have “catastrophic results” for patients and researchers.

Price Reaps Windfall From Selling Off Stocks At Center Of Ethics Controversy

Morning Briefing

HHS Secretary Tom Price, before he was confirmed, pledged to divest his shares in Innate Immunotherapeutics. Meanwhile, a look at what questions FDA nominee Scott Gottlieb will face at his hearing this week.

Advocates Rally In Richmond To Press Lawmakers To Expand Medicaid

Morning Briefing

After the failure of the Republican replacement health bill in Congress, Democrats in Virginia are seeking to get a reluctant legislature to agree to expand Medicaid. News outlets report on expansion news from Louisiana, Texas and Minnesota.

Iowa’s Wellmark Announces Departure From Health Law Marketplaces In 2018

Morning Briefing

Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield said it had lost $90 million over the past three years of providing coverage on the exchanges and individually, despite aggressively raising its rates. The move is the latest sign of instability in the health law marketplaces.

Perspectives On The Kansas Push to Expand Medicaid As Well As What’s Happening In Other States And With The Program

Morning Briefing

Opinion writers dole out harsh criticism to Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback for vetoing a measure passed by the state legislature to expand the low-income health insurance program, and examine how other red states are beginning to reconsider their positions against the expansion.

Small Community Hospitals, Stuck In A Vicious Cycle, Face Grim Future, Report Warns

Morning Briefing

With fewer patients, the community hospitals lose bargaining leverage with insurers when negotiating payment rates. And because of that, the hospitals struggle to invest in programs, staff, marketing or the infrastructure needed to adapt to the changing health care system. Media outlets report on hospital news from Tennessee and Virginia, as well.