Latest KFF Health News Stories
New Account Would Allow People With Disabilities To Save Money Without Losing Government Benefits
Disability advocates say that the savings vehicle is overdue and badly needed by people who could previously only hold $2,000 in savings. The Associated Press reports on how the ABLE accounts will work.
Ohio Expects To Move Medicaid’s Long-Term Care Patients Into Managed Care Plans
The initiative unveiled by Gov. John Kasich would bring that last group of enrollees into managed care plans, which already cover nearly 90 percent of the state’s Medicaid population. In other news, Medicaid developments in Ohio, Arizona, Indiana, Tennessee and New Mexico.
Government Unveils Proposed Raise In Its Payments To Medicare Advantage Plans
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services suggested an increase of 0.25 percent in pay to the private insurance plans that are an alternative to traditional Medicare. That is less than last year’s increase but generally in line with what analysts expected.
Aid-In-Dying Advocates, Disheartened By Supreme Court Pick, Brace For New Fight
In his book “The Future of Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia,” Neil Gorsuch, the president’s Supreme Court nominee, refers to physician-assisted suicide as “essentially a right to consensual homicide.” In other news, an Associated Press review of Gorsuch’s decisions reveal few clues on how he’ll vote on abortion, and Rhode Island moves to protect access at a state-level.
Immigration Ban Throws Medical Students’ ‘Match Day’ Into Disarray
March 17 is the day when students find out if and where they’ve “matched” for a residency program, but for those from countries targeted by President Donald Trump’s immigration ban, the future is uncertain. Meanwhile, the scientific community is protesting the executive order through boycotts of conferences and journals.
What Should A Health Plan Cover?
As Republicans work on dismantling former President Barack Obama’s health law, the question becomes what standards of coverage will be set in their replacement plan. Meanwhile, women who gained protection under the ACA stand to lose a lot if the regulations are rolled back, and entrepreneurs are forced to consider a job change, fearing the high costs of insurance that may come in the future.
Insurers Stuck In Repeal And Replace Limbo Say Without Clarity Marketplaces Are In Peril
There’s a chance some states will not have any insurers selling health plans to individuals buying coverage on their own for 2018 if Congress and the president don’t give companies guidance on what the future of health care coverage is going to look like.
After Years Of ‘Repeal And Replace’ Rhetoric, GOP Rebrands Efforts To Embrace ‘Repair’
Using the word “repair” to describe the effort “captures exactly what the large majority of the American people want,” said Frank Luntz, a prominent Republican consultant and pollster who addressed GOP lawmakers at their Philadelphia retreat. Meanwhile, members of the Freedom Caucus talk with senators about their replacement plans, Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, is calling for all health law taxes to be stripped away and Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas, leads hearings this week on dismantling the legislation.
In Sign Of Escalating Tension On Hill, Senate Panel Lifts Rules To Vote On Price Without Dems
The Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee were boycotting the vote on Rep. Tom Price because of ethics concerns.
VA Nominee Says System Is ‘Worth Saving,’ Promises Not To Privatize Veterans’ Health Care
David J. Shulkin, the sole holdover from the Obama administration, faced the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on Wednesday and is expected to be approved by the full Senate.
First Edition: February 2, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Senate Panel Advances Price HHS Nomination, Without Any Democrats Present
In the face of a boycott by Democrats on the panel, Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee temporarily suspended a rule that would have required at least one Democrat to be present for a vote to go forward on Tom Price’s nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.
Viewpoints: The Ups And Downs Of The Repeal-And-Replace Debate; Trump And The Cures Act
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Perspectives: Misinformation Reigned Supreme At Trump’s Meeting With Pharma
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Public Outraged Over Drug Prices Yet Fears Hampering Innovation
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical drug pricing.
Outlets report on news from Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, Colorado, New Hampshire, Georgia, California and Florida.
Today’s other public news stories focus on treating constipation, using games and crafts to stave off mental decline, a patient accidentally injected with drug-resistant bacteria and tainted medical scopes.
Republican Lawmakers Begin Hearings On Revamping Medicaid But Bypass The Big Issues
The House subcommittee looked at specific issues such as third-party liabilities and excess spending but didn’t tackle some of the larger questions on whether to keep the health law’s expansion of Medicaid or turning to a block grant program. Also, Democrats complained about claims by some conservatives that the expansion left many disabled people on waiting lists for services.
Aetna CEO: Despite Best Intentions Health Law Failed
Chief Executive Mark T. Bertolini said the company has lost $450 million on ACA-compliant coverage last year — $100 million more than it expected.
VA Secretary: Wide-Scale Firings, Dismantling Agency Not The Way To Fix System
David Shulkin, who is in line to be the lone ex-Obama administration official serving in Trump’s Cabinet, is expected to advocate for a measured response over dramatic changes to the system at his Senate hearing on Wednesday.
