Latest KFF Health News Stories
Senators Mull Short-Term ‘Rescue’ Bill For Health Law To Stabilize Marketplace
The upper chamber is quietly working toward coming up with their own version of a plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. And Congress awaits the Congressional Budget Office’s score for the revised bill that passed the House.
‘Why The Hell Would We’ Continue Insurer Subsidy Payments, Trump Reported To Ask Advisers
Despite the potential political blowback, President Donald Trump is leaning toward cutting off billions in cost-sharing subsidies, according to sources who spoke to Politico. On Monday, there will be a hearing in the court case about the payments.
Hiring Freeze Leaves Nearly 700 Jobs Unfilled At CDC
The vacancies impact public health emergency readiness, infectious disease control and chronic disease prevention programs, The Washington Post reports. Other Trump administration moves at the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health also make headlines today.
Trump Budget Slashes Medicaid Funding, Rejecting Some Conservatives’ Pleas To Save Expansion
The White House also wants to give states more flexibility when it comes to imposing work requirements for people in the program.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Opening For Medicare Long-Term Care?; Texas Seeks Planned Parenthood Money
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Perspectives On Health Debate: GOP Disregard Of ACA Maintenance; Miss USA’s Health Stand
Even as other issues are overtaking the air waves, some opinion writers keep an eye on the health debate.
Longer Looks: A Grandmother’s Abortion; Exploding Obamacare; And Doctors In China
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Research Roundup: Medicaid Wellness Programs; Preexisting Conditions; Changes In Subsidies
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Media outlets report on news from Tennessee, Iowa, New Hampshire, California, Washington, Arizona, Indiana, Florida, Ohio and Oregon.
Flushing Fallopian Tubes With Poppyseed Oil May Help Infertile Women Conceive
A small study shows a “clear” difference between oil-based and water-based solutions. In other public health news: breast cancer survival rates, pelvic exams, cancer treatments, internet addiction and gun safety.
On Heels Of Opioid Crisis, Officials See Early Warning Signs That Meth Will Be Next Epidemic
Officials say a methamphetamine crisis could reach even further than the current opioid epidemic. In related news, senators introduce a bill to modify rules about Medicaid money and substance abuse treatment centers, Aetna is sending letters to dentists and oral surgeons who are “superprescribers,” and more out of the states.
What Goes Awry In The Brain To Lead To Alzheimer’s? Scientists Still Aren’t Quite Sure
The Los Angeles Times’ series looks at dementia, Alzheimer’s and aging.
Blood Tests May Have ‘Significantly’ Underestimated Lead Levels, FDA Warns
The tests the agency are warning about, though, are not used as often as less invasive screenings, so it should not affect most people, according to officials. However, pregnant women and children should be retested, they say.
After Losing $2M In Funds Under New Measure, Planned Parenthood To Close 4 Clinics In Iowa
Iowa’s Republican-led legislature agreed in its recent budget to discontinue a federal Medicaid program and replace it with a state one that bars funding to organizations that provide abortions or maintain facilities where abortions are carried out.
Despite Factors That Should Put It Ahead Of Game, U.S. Health Ranking Is ‘An Embarrassment’
A new study finds that access to cutting-edge medical technology and well-trained doctors don’t necessarily correlate to good health for a country.
UnitedHealth To Shutter Experiment Of No-Cost-Sharing Plans For Primary And Behavioral Care
Modern Healthcare reports that Harken Health, a UnitedHealth subsidiary, will close in Chicago and Atlanta. In more news on the insurer, KHN reports that UnitedHealth faces allegations that it overcharged the federal government by more than $1 billion through its Medicare Advantage plans.
Senate Committee Passes Bipartisan Bill To Revamp Medicare Coverage Of Chronic Care
The bill would give people greater access to telehealth services, promote care coordination between providers and expand value-based payment models.
Democrats Tell Trump To Get A Science Adviser So He’s Not Vulnerable To Fake News
Lawmakers on the House Science Committee are urging the president to fill the empty position to head the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
House Repeal Plan Would Cut $43B From Medicaid Coverage Of Kids, Analysis Finds
“Over time, per capita caps could significantly reduce the amount of funding that goes towards Medicaid coverage for children,” says Dan Mendelson, president of Avalere, the consulting firm that conducted the study. Meanwhile, in the Senate, Republican moderates float ideas in order to retain Medicaid expansion that could have other consequences for states.
