Latest KFF Health News Stories
Opinions On Fixing Obamacare And The Health System: It’s Time, And Walking Away Is Not An Option
Opinion writers and columnists offer advice about how lawmakers in Washington should proceed in their efforts to address concerns bout the 2010 health law and move forward to improve the nation’s health system.
Research Roundup: Helping Insurers; Vaccinating Pregnant Women; Malpractice Claims
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Media outlets report on news from Georgia, California, Texas, Florida, Maryland, Wisconsin, New Hampshire and Ohio.
Universal Health Care Plan For California Takes Shape, But Details On Paying For It Remain Fuzzy
Californians would be required to participate in the public program and insurance companies would be barred from offering coverage for services already included in the the plan. Gov. Jerry Brown has expressed deep skepticism about how the state would fund the program.
Higher Copays For Chemo Pills Than IV Treatments Are Contentious Issue Between Insurers, Drugmakers
In another pharmaceutical development, the search for a new antibiotic to fight superbugs gets a cash infusion. And, Novartis and GlaxoSmithKline also make industry news.
The Human Toll Of Rich Countries Relying On Others For Goods
Researchers tally the health cost of international trade for a single year and found that in 2007 alone, about 762,400 people died prematurely as a result of being exposed to pollution that was emitted to make products used somewhere else in the world.
Experts Skeptical About Much-Hyped Baby Boxes Promising To Reduce SIDS
The Baby Box Co.’s product is untested and unregulated, they say. In other public health news: DHA supplements, hepatitis, sepsis, mastectomies, childhood trauma and more.
Loneliness Makes A Cold Feel Worse, Study Finds
Other negative health side effects have been associated with loneliness, but the researchers wanted to know if it played a role in more everyday illnesses.
Ohio Sets 7-Day Limit On Prescribing Painkillers To Help Curb Opioid Epidemic
Ohio led the nation in opioid overdose deaths in 2014, and deaths have continued to rise with increased use of heroin and fentanyl. Meanwhile, a study pinpoints the demographic that’s seen the sharpest increase in heroin use.
Sympathetic Tone Of Trump’s Opioid Panel Contrasts With ‘Ruthless’ Pledge From Attorney General
The Trump administration talks, at the same time, of an empathetic treatment model as well as more extreme criminal prosecutions — approaches that offer contrary messages on how the president plans to deal with the drug crisis sweeping the country.
Despite Mounting Health Concerns Over Pesticide, EPA Chief Rejects Ban On Chemical
Advocates say exposure to the chemical compound puts children at an elevated risk for problems in learning, social skills, motor function, and other developmental domains.
Following Health Bill Collapse, Trump Adds Fire To GOP’s Raging Civil War
President Donald Trump threatened members of the Freedom Caucus over Twitter for their refusal to fall in line. And a key aide is being dispatched to “fix” the problem of pro-Trump groups remaining quiet during the health law fiasco.
Night Of The Living Health Law: Repeal Caught In Peculiar Position Between Alive And Dead
Following the Republicans’ failure to pass the American Health Care Act, the Affordable Care Act is caught in a strange kind of limbo. “One of the keys to understanding Washington is to think a little bit like a coroner,” says consultant Ari Fleischer. “You have to know when something’s dead and when something’s still kicking, and sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference.”
For Many Red States, Getting To ‘Yes’ On Medicaid Expansion Is Difficult
Despite the collapse of the Republican health bill and suggestions from the Trump administration that states can have more flexibility in running Medicaid, some holdout states are still hesitant. Also in the news, Arkansas lawmakers vote to keep the Medicaid expansion for another year and a look at how the expansion has helped a couple in Ohio.
Kansas Governor Vetoes Medicaid Expansion Bill, Saying Cost Is ‘Irresponsible And Unsustainable’
Supporters in the Kansas House and Senate are short of a veto-proof majority, but advocates still hope to raise public support to pressure some lawmakers.
Anthem Expected To Exit Some Obamacare Marketplaces In 2018, Analysts Say
The insurance company sells coverage under the Blue Cross and Blue Shield brand in 14 states and its pull back from the exchanges could be devastating to the health law marketplace.
Ryan Unwilling To Promise Another Vote On Health Care Bill
Meanwhile, a member of the Freedom Caucus said a vote on a bill “that doesn’t bring down premiums and give the American people hope” will lose Republicans the majority.
In Surprising Twist, Ryan Says ‘Insurer Bailout’ Payments Should Continue
The payments — which reimburse insurers for subsidies that lower the cost of deductibles, copayments and coinsurance for those covered by the health law — have been a long-time target of congressional Republicans.
Senate Rolls Back Obama-Era Ban On States Blocking Funding For Clinics That Provide Abortions
Vice President Mike Pence had to break a tie in the chamber.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
