Latest KFF Health News Stories
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.
HPV-Related Throat And Oral Cancer Rates On The Rise
Health agencies are pushing hard for HPV vaccinations, which they say could prevent most of those cancers. In other public health news: CPR, secondhand smoke and PTSD.
‘Out-Of-The-Box’ Brain Tumor Treatment Improves Survival Rates For First Time In Over A Decade
The device creates low intensity, alternating electric fields aimed at disrupting cell division, which makes the cells die. Because cancer cells divide often, and normal adult brain cells do not, this in theory mostly harms the disease and not the patient. Some experts are skeptical about the treatment, though.
The Abortion War’s Battleground: Planned Parenthood
With Republicans in control of the White House and both chambers of Congress, Planned Parenthood faces challenging times.
Drugmaker Recalls Some Epi-Pens In U.S. And Overseas
The recall covers devices made between December 2015 and July 2016.
DEA’s Failed Attempt To Hold Drugmaker Accountable For Opioid Crisis Shows Just How Difficult It Is
In 2011, the agency targeted Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals for its opioid distribution practices. But six years later, after four investigations that spanned five states, the government has taken no legal action against the company. Meanwhile, the White House drug czar details information about fentanyl to lawmakers, and states mull mandatory opioid education classes in public schools.
Experimental Zika Vaccine Clears Safety Hurdles To Move On To Efficacy Testing
The trial could yield results as early as the end of the year.
In other Trump administration news, as deep budget cuts to the National Institutes of Health are floated, one lawmaker says the move would strengthen the agency. And financial disclosure forms reveal that White House senior counselor Kellyanne Conway consulted for the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
States In Flux About Medicaid Expansion And Possible New Eligibility Requirements
State lawmakers and executives — as well as insurers — ponder options after the Republican health bill falters in Congress.
Kansas Medicaid Advocates Ratchet Up Pressure On Lawmakers To Override Veto On Expansion
Several hundred people turned up for a town hall event in Olathe where many pushed Republican members of the legislature who oppose Medicaid expansion to change their positions.
Democrats who live in states and districts that were carried in 2016 by Donald Trump may be wary of the political risks of supporting what Republicans call socialized medicine. Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) wants Democrats on the same page when it comes to health care moves.
