Latest KFF Health News Stories
Highly Touted Immunotherapy Can Actually Unleash Full Fury Of Cancer Rather Than Thwarting It
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.
Alternative Approaches To Pain Gaining Victories As Opioid Epidemic Rages On
Naturopaths and chiropractors have been championing their methods as a way to avoid prescribing patients addictive painkillers.
Administration Cuts Funding To U.N. Program, Saying It Supported Coercive Abortions
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
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.
Consumers Sue Mylan Claiming Company ‘Gamed The System’ In Order To Boost EpiPen Sales
The lawsuit focuses on the relationship between the company and pharmacy benefit managers, which are coming under increasing scrutiny for their role in high drug prices.
Judge Allows UnitedHealthcare Suit To Move Forward On Medicare Advance Overpayments
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
“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
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
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.
Kansas House Falls Short In Effort To Override Governor’s Veto Of Medicaid Expansion
Supporters were three votes short of an override despite a flurry of phone calls and appeals from advocates.
Iowa’s Wellmark Announces Departure From Health Law Marketplaces In 2018
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.
Administration Confirms HHS Will Continue ‘Insurer Bailout’ Payments As Suit Is Litigated
The official’s statement, an echo of House Speaker Paul Ryan’s message from last week, may provide relief for insurers who are facing down an uncertain future.
Democrats Mobilize To Defend Health Law, Ask Trump To ‘Do No Further Harm’
Even though the Republican repeal plan failed in Congress, that doesn’t mean the administration can’t make changes to the health law. Media outlets offer a look at what those modifications may be.
White House Floats Plan With Waivers For Pre-Existing Condition Rules To Woo Freedom Caucus
Freedom Caucus members said they wanted to see the Trump administration’s offer in writing — which is expected Tuesday — before deciding whether to accept it.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: The Trump Budget’s Cuts To Foreign Aid And Contraception; Embrace The Moonshot
A collection of public health opinions on health care from around the country.
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.
Different Takes On Obamacare’s Status And How Congress, The White House Can Move Forward
Editorial pages across the country are full of advice about lessons that can be learned from the recent health law fracas as well as opinions about what’s working and what’s not.
Media outlets report on news from New Jersey, Florida, California, Indiana, Colorado, Georgia and Minnesota.
Small Community Hospitals, Stuck In A Vicious Cycle, Face Grim Future, Report Warns
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.
