Latest KFF Health News Stories
Senate Task Force Considers Ways To Unravel Obamacare Coverage Rules
Key to this discussion is how to handle regulations that require plans to cover a set of essential health benefits as well as preexisting condition protections.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Unlocking Understanding Through Genomics And Precision Health; Alzheimer’s Gender Gap
A selection of public health opinions from around the country.
Opinion writers offer views on how to move forward in efforts to reform the nation’s health care system, including thoughts on what’s right in Obamacare, specific ways its shortcomings need to be addressed and deep problems in the GOP’s American Health Care Act.
Longer Looks: AHCA Fallout; Phage Therapy; And A Measles Outbreak
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets report on news from California, Texas, Massachusetts, Louisiana, Ohio, Wisconsin and Missouri.
Fiery Debate Erupts In Texas House Over Bill Requiring Vaccines For Foster Children
The fireworks started after state Rep. Bill Zedler (R-Arlington) tried to add an amendment to a bill, aimed at improving the state’s Child Protective Services agency, that would restrict doctors from including vaccinations in initial medical examinations for children. The provision was ultimately adopted, 74-58.
The report is the first to suggest convincingly that these bacteria may initiate disease in seemingly unrelated organs. In other public health news, lithium and bipolar disease, lead dust from firearms, vaping, a tragic medication error and cotton swabs.
Arthroscopic Knee Surgery Does Not Provide Lasting Relief, Panel Says
A group of international health experts says that fewer than 15 percent of patients feel an improvement in pain and function three months after the procedure — which is the world’s most common surgery — and that those effects usually disappear after one year.
Illinois Bill Expanding Public Financing For Abortion Faces Likely Veto On Governor’s Desk
When running for governor, Bruce Rauner said he disliked existing law restricting taxpayer-funded abortion coverage, but has since walked back that opinion.
State Officials Seek More Federal Funds For Prosecution Of Medicaid Abuse
The state attorneys general are asking for more help to prosecute abuse and neglect of Medicaid patients in non-institutional settings, like home health care. Also in the news, federal officials are giving states more time to meet new Medicaid standards on home health care.
For Fourth Straight Year, U.S. Prices On Prescription Drugs Go Up More Than 8%
In 2016, the cost of medications rose 8.8 percent. Brand-name medications went up 12.9 percent while generics only increased 0.3 percent. In other pharmaceutical news, Mylan takes issue with a Food and Drug Administration decision not to approve its generic version of GlaxoSmithKline’s Advair.
Lawmakers Strike Deal On Bill That Would Make It Easier For VA To Fire Employees
The agreement on the accountability revision smooths the way for passage of the stalled legislation. Meanwhile, Republicans blast a procedural move by Democrats that postponed a hearing on veterans health care.
A Look At Who’s Joining Chris Christie On Trump’s Opioid Commission
And in other news on the crisis, Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price traveled to New Hampshire for a listening session with the governor and other stakeholders and the Food and Drug Administration released guidelines touting the benefits of chiropractic care and acupuncture.
Dr. Elinore McCance-Katz, Trump’s pick to lead the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, is a proponent of shifting away from education-based approaches to aggressive treatment.
Controversy Over Comey Firing Could Cost GOP Support For Trump’s Agenda In Senate
There’s little wiggle room in the Senate, and hesitancy to support President Donald Trump’s priorities could cause problems for any potential health care deal.
Aetna Pulling Out Of All ACA Marketplaces Amid Uncertainty, Financial Losses
While the company’s decision only affects two states, the move has political ramifications in an environment where everyone is tensed for a potential “death spiral.”
Brutal Town Hall For Moderate Who Helped Resuscitate GOP Plan Captures Snapshot Of Voters’ Wrath
Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-N.J.) worked with conservatives to revive the stalled health care negotiations, and helped get the legislation through the House. But his voters, and others turning up at Republican town halls across the country, are not necessarily cheering the efforts.
CBO Assessment Of Republicans’ Health Plan Expected Week Of May 22
The Congressional Budget Office score is needed for the Senate to truly move forward on its own version because of the method it’s using to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.
Alliances Cropping Up In Senate, Where Almost Every Vote Holds The Power To Destroy A Deal
Leadership can only lose two Republican votes to pass a health care plan through the upper chamber, giving each senator a great deal of bargaining power.
