Latest KFF Health News Stories
Perspectives: Drug Companies’ Ad Campaign Won’t Reverse ‘Justly Deserved’ Reputation
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical drug pricing.
J&J Reiterates Importance Of Responsible Drug Pricing While Issuing Cautious Forecast
J&J was the first major health care company to report results since the president’s scathing remarks on high drug prices.
Outlets report on news from California, Virginia, Michigan, Arizona, Nebraska, New Jersey, Illinois, Texas and Florida.
No Longer A Problem Just For Royalty: Gout Has Become A ‘Disease Of The People’
It’s become an increasing problem, but doctors are torn over how to treat it. In other public health news: Hep C drugs’ side effects, the psychology of asylum seekers, victims of tainted medicine, whooping cough, baby monitors and more.
Massive Gap Between Cancer Deaths In Rich Vs. Poorer Counties Highlight Startling Health Disparities
Although nationally cancer deaths fell by 20 percent, there are still worrying pockets throughout the country that have had a spike in rates.
Naloxone Is Saving Lives, But Not Changing Them, Experts Say
Health providers want to try to find a long-term solution to those who have been caught in the opioid epidemic. Media outlets also report on the crisis in Maryland, Arizona, Kansas and Georgia.
Anti-Abortion Group Accuses Planned Parenthood Of Not Offering Prenatal Care
The group’s latest video shows that only some of the clinics they called offer comprehensive prenatal services. But Planned Parenthood officials say they have never said that all of their health centers do, so the claim that they are misrepresenting their services is just part of a “continued campaign” to discredit the organization. Meanwhile, the House passes a mostly symbolic vote to make a ban on federal funding for abortions permanent.
Mass. Governor’s Plan To Increase Medicaid Funding Raises Concerns For Business
Gov. Charlie Baker is proposing that Massachusetts employers who don’t offer adequate insurance pay a penalty that will help fund the state’s share of Medicaid. Also, Maryland plans to sign up ex-offenders for Medicaid, and a dental provider says it won’t treat nursing home residents in Kansas because of payment problems.
Aetna And Humana Reviewing Options To Press For Merger After Court Decision
The companies say they want to go forward with their plans and will fight a federal judge’s decision that their merger would stiffle competition.
Tribal Leaders Warn Repeal Efforts Could Cut Health Funding To ‘Catastrophic’ Levels
The Indian Healthcare Improvement Act, which had been around for decades, was allowed to expire in 2000, but was then tucked into the health law bill. Now some are worried it will get lumped in with repeal. Media outlets report on the effects of repeal in other parts of the country as well.
GOP Lawmakers Expect Retreat With Trump Will Provide Clearer Picture On Health Law
House and Senate Republicans head to Philadelphia on Wednesday to meet with the president. Although they caution that no one should be waiting for a comprehensive bill to come from the conference, they hope to get a better sense of where the administration stands. Meanwhile, House committees are starting to schedule hearings on repeal and replace, an outside group launches a $2.6 million ad campaign against the health law, and The New York Times offers a closer look at Republican senators’ plans to let states keep the parts of the Affordable Care Act that they like.
Veterans, Overtaxed VA To Be Hit Hard By Government Hiring Freeze And Obamacare Changes
The Trump White House confirmed that its order to halt hiring new federal employees applies to the Department of Veteran Affairs.
Price Avoids Being Pinned Down On Details During Grilling At Second Senate Hearing
Despite Democrats pressing HHS nominee Tom Price on the future of the health law, Medicare and Medicaid, Price mostly demurred and downplayed the role he will have in such decisions. Ethical questions regarding the Georgia congressman’s stock investments were also raised.
First Edition: January 25, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Perspectives On Health Overhaul: Senators Seek Compromise; Risk Pools Need Updates
Opinion writers examine the many facets of Republicans’ move to uproot the federal health law.
Viewpoints: Price’s Mission On Medicare; Judge Offers View Of Aetna’s Move Out Of Exchanges
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Outlets report on news from Kansas, California, Iowa, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Washington, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Texas.
‘Vet Shopping’ Underscores Desperation At Heart Of America’s Opioid Epidemic
Owners are injuring their pets, and then taking them to different veterinarians to get opioids. Meanwhile, researchers are trying to understand why rural communities have been hit so hard by the crisis.
Despite Fears Of Memory Disorders, Early Diagnosis Of Dementia Helps Patients
Other public health stories today cover developments related to Alzheimer’s, autism, sleep apnea, superbugs, aging and carbs in the diet.
