Latest KFF Health News Stories
Perspectives On The House GOP’s Health Bill: A Breakout Toward Governing Or A Breakdown In Coverage?
Editorial writers from across the country examine the House Republican’s plan and offer their thoughts on how it treats concerns ranging from preexisting conditions to mental health.
Longer Looks: Doctors And Fake News; Superfoods; And Pig-To-Human Transplants
Each week, KHN finds interesting reads from around the web.
Media outlets report on news from California, Florida and Colorado.
Planned Parenthood To Request Emergency Injunction On Iowa Waiting-Period Law
Planned Parenthood of the Heartland President Suzanna di Baca says it is a medically unnecessary requirement that interrupts the lives of patients.
Health Officials In Minnesota Worry That Measles Outbreak Will Spread
So far, 34 children have contracted the virus in densely populated Somali-American neighborhoods of Minneapolis, where 6 in 10 children are not vaccinated. There has been a growing fear among immigrant communities about links between the measles, mumps and rubella shot and autism.
Research Efforts To Eliminate Unnecessary Prostate Cancer Treatments Is ‘On Fire’
Scientists want to find alternatives to controversial PSA tests, which often lead to unnecessary biopsies. And in other public health news today: the health impact of racism on kids; concussion testing; monitoring violence online; why we sleep and dream; and men as caregivers.
Lawmakers Make Plea To WHO To Do Everything In Its Power To Prevent Global Opioid Crisis
“The greed and recklessness of one company and its partners helped spark a public health crisis in the United States that will take generations to fully repair,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter to the organization. “Please learn from our experience and do not allow Mundipharma to carry on Purdue’s deadly legacy on a global stage.”
Patients Might Miss Spiking Cost Of A Medication Due To Drugmaker Copay Coupons, Report Says
A Blue Cross Blue Shield Association report finds that the percentage of prescriptions filled using such coupons increased from 13 percent to 19 percent between 2013 and 2016. In other pharma industry news: Mylan, Pfizer and what seniors can do if they are denied coverage of a drug by Medicare.
Arkansas Votes To Shift More People Off Medicaid, Enact Work Requirements
The legislation would lower the eligibility cap for the program from 138 percent of the federal poverty level to 100 percent. Outlets report on Medicaid news out of Missouri and Virginia as well.
Medica Threatens To Withdraw From Iowa’s ACA Marketplace, Leaving It On Brink Of Collapse
If the insurer follows through, all but five counties in the state would have no insurers to choose from on the exchanges. Meanwhile, Aetna announced it is quitting Virginia’s marketplaces.
Trumpcare, If It Passes, Has An Ardent Enemy In Form Of The Health Care Industry
The health care industry has not only been shut out of negotiations, but actively dislikes what it has seen of the proposed changes that would come along with the GOP plan. Meanwhile, the president’s press secretary says it’s “impossible” to predict the effects the legislation will have.
Even People With Employer-Sponsored Health Care Will Be Affected By GOP’s Plan
Republicans’ repeal-and-replace plan seeks changes that will be have a widespread impact throughout the marketplace, not just for people buying individual coverage.
Disgruntled Moderates Aim Ire At Tuesday Group Leader: ‘You Are Going To Make Us Lose The Majority’
Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-N.J.) worked with the conservative Freedom Caucus to help revise the Republicans’ health care plan, but it’s not winning him any favors with his moderate colleagues.
Additional $8B For High-Risk Pools Swayed Lawmakers But Experts Say It Isn’t Enough
Protections for those with preexisting conditions have been a major talking point during this week’s negotiations to try to move the Republican health care plan through the House. Media outlets look at what they are, if the additional money will be cover those who need care, and the history of high-risk pools.
Where Republican Lawmakers Stand On the Revised Health Care Bill
Media outlets look at who is voting “no” on the legislation, who is undecided and who leadership is targeting to support the bill.
‘We Have Enough Votes’: GOP Confident Health Plan Will Pass With Help From New Amendment
Still, the vote, expected to happen around lunchtime Thursday, is anticipated to be a nail-biter down to the last minute.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: GOP Sabotage Could Set Up A Health Care Emergency; Taking On Obamacare Yet Again
A selection of health-related opinions from around the country.
Perspectives: Direct-To-Consumer Ads Let Pharma Plant The Idea That Something Is Wrong With Us
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Side Effects May Include Overdrawn Bank Accounts: Group Goes After Drug Prices With Spoof Ad
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
