Latest KFF Health News Stories
Perspectives: Playing Offense, Defense On GOP Health Plan
Editorial pages offer a variety of views on the House GOP’s American Health Care Act.
Thoughts On The Winners And Losers In The GOP Health Proposal
For some editorial and opinion writers, the list of losers appears longer.
Longer Looks: Medicaid And Disabled Children; Zika; And Freud
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Outlets report on news from Florida, Minnesota, California, Texas and Virginia.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions ‘A Bit Dubious’ About Medical Marijuana
However, in the past President Donald Trump has voiced “100 percent” support for medical marijuana.
Residents Of Richer Nations Have Higher Anxiety Rates Than Poorer Countries, Survey Shows
That anxiety can interfere more with daily activities and responsibilities, researchers find. In other public health news, a group of doctors warns that Americans are sicker due to climate change. And experts looks to practices in Oregon as end-of-life examples.
Dangers Of Unregulated Stem Cell Treatments Highlighted After Three Women Lost Sight
Stem cell clinics are flourishing, but the government has not done much to protect patients from the sometimes risky treatments.
Stat profiles the 41-day struggle of a West Virginia mother and father to get professional help for their 21-year-old daughter before it was too late. In other news on the nation’s drug crisis, Food and Drug Administration panels reconsider Opana, a pain doctor in Massachusetts faces fraud charges and a former drug policy director weighs in on the potential impact of Republicans’ replacement health plan.
One Kansas Ruling Could Topple Slew Of Abortion Opponents’ Successes In State
The ruling will determine if general language in the state constitution’s Bill of Rights protects the right to an abortion independently of the U.S. Constitution. Media outlets report on other news from Alabama and Texas.
Bill Would Target Pharmacy Benefit Managers’ Role In High Drug Prices
PBMs are coming under increased scrutiny as public’s ire grows over price gouging.
Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price is sharply questioned during a televised meeting about Republican plans to cut Medicaid funding. Also in the news are reports about a recent letter Price and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Director Seema Verma sent states about their flexibility on Medicaid procedures, doctor reimbursement issues in Georgia and a long-running controversy in Iowa.
Trump Slashes Health Spending In Federal Budget Plan
The administration’s budget blueprint proposes reducing the Department of Health and Human Service’s funding by 18 percent — with more than a third of the $15.1 billion in cuts coming from the National Institutes of Health, the government’s main engine of biomedical research.
Reconciliation Strategy Throws Wrench Into Legislative Efforts To Strip Essential Health Benefits
Under the complicated rules that allow Republicans to try to move legislation through the Senate without a filibuster, any changes to the Affordable Care Act must be related to the budget. That means essential health benefits will be left to regulators.
Anthem CEO Lobbies Trump And Price For Changes In Health Bill
Anthem CEO Joseph Swedish is seeking a continuation of cost-sharing subsidies and “appropriate” funding for Medicaid in Republican legislation to replace the federal health law. At the same time, several high-profile groups representing doctors and hospitals are gearing up to fight the GOP proposal.
CBO Report Shines Stark Light On Just How Much Wealthiest Will Benefit From Repeal Plan
The plan offers billions of dollars’ worth of tax cuts to health insurers, pharmaceutical companies, investors and even tanning salon operators — amounting to nearly $1 trillion over a decade. Meanwhile, The Washington Post fact checks claims about the medical device tax.
Enrollment Numbers Dip Slightly And Fall Short Of Obama’s Goals
More than 12 million signed up for coverage under the Affordable Care Act as premiums increased, but advocates blame the small decrease on the Trump administration’s failure to make a spirited enrollment push.
At Rally, Trump Employs Campaign Tactics To Build Support For GOP’s Replacement Plan
“We want Americans to be able to purchase the health insurance plans they want, not the plans forced on them by our government,” President Donald Trump tells supporters in Nashville.
Health Bill Will Pass Budget Committee And Is ‘Made Better’ With New Ideas, Chairwoman Says
Rep. Diane Black, (R-Tenn.) who heads the House budget panel, says she is confident that the legislation can get through a vote today despite some conservatives’ complaints.
GOP Health Plan Will Undergo ‘Necessary Improvements,’ Ryan Promises Wary Lawmakers
House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) tries to salvage support for his plan, as both the right wing and the moderates in his party revolt. What to do with Medicaid is a major issue being worked through.
