Latest KFF Health News Stories
Study: 24 Million Fewer People Would Have Insurance If Health Law Were Repealed
The study also found that the government’s spending on health would decrease by $927 billion over 10 years, but, even so, the Congressional Budget Office says the deficit would actually increase if the law were repealed. Meanwhile, consumer advocates are frustrated that Illinois doesn’t require insurers to make their premium hikes public until Aug. 1.
U.S., Cuba Form Partnership To Collaborate On Matters Of Public Health, Biomedical Research
The two countries will work together on issues such as dengue fever, Zika, drug development and medical training.
Millions In Federal Funds Awarded To State Groups To Cover Uninsured Children
Nonprofits and community groups in states such as Texas, Pennsylvania and Maryland receive money from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in order to increase insurance coverage for low-income kids.
Democrats Rail Against ‘Moral Bankruptcy Of The Blood Ban,’ Call For Change In Guidelines
In the aftermath of the Orlando massacre, pressure is mounting against the Food and Drug Administration’s regulations on gay men donating blood.
Why HIPAA Waiver Wasn’t Needed After Orlando Shooting
The law, intended to protect patients’ privacy, grants providers latitude in some circumstances to disclose certain information based on judgment, reason and compassion. Meanwhile, the proximity of the massacre to a Level 1 trauma center may have saved lives, a medical journal editor makes a push for more research on gun violence and experts speak about why it’s dangerous to oversimplify mental illness in relation to mass shootings.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Precautions Against Superbugs; Dying With Society’s Blessing
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Outlets report on health news from New York, Florida, Connecticut, California, Ohio, Minnesota, Missouri and North Carolina.
Hospital Roundup: Connecticut Approves Sale Of Two Hospitals
In other news, New Hampshire’s need for a psychiatric facility to treat prison inmates continues to be pushed off and Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Ohio plans a mental health center. Also, California Healthline reports on the growing gap in the cost of services at California’s top two health systems versus the rest of the state.
Survey Offers Glimpse Of Extreme Frustration Fla. Pediatricians Feel Toward Medicaid
Two of the bigger problems they reported were having patients who were reassigned to a different insurance company or pediatrician without the parents’ knowledge and insurance plan limitations impeding care. In other news, advocates say a federal change to Medicaid funding will greatly help Native Americans in Wisconsin.
Both Sides Wait With Bated Breath For Split Court To Rule On Texas Abortion Law
With an unpredictable 4-4 Supreme Court, abortion providers and opponents are planning for any situation. In other news, a look at the Indiana abortion law going in front of a federal judge on Tuesday, and Arizona’s Department of Health Services reports that there’s been no violations to a 10-month-old fetal tissue rule.
Penicillin Still A Match For Syphillis Despite Other Bacteria’s Growing Resistance
News outlets report on other public health stories about unregulated chemicals found in drinking water, America’s least healthy cities and the mental and financial toll Alzheimer’s takes on families.
Federal Health Officials Prepare Plan For Responding To Possible Zika Outbreak In U.S.
The blueprint for federal and state action if the virus begins to be transmitted in this country could be released this week. Meanwhile, Florida officials are looking for more leadership and funding from the federal government. And Kaiser Health News has an FAQ about concerns for women of child-bearing age.
When Drugs Are Everywhere, The Daily Struggle To Stay Clean Can Be A Herculean Effort
Prescription painkillers have become so ubiquitous in America’s rural towns, those trying to stay sober are facing a constant uphill battle. Meanwhile, a New Jersey ER has embraced a culture shift in how it treats pain, federal prosecutors have gone after a drugmaker’s former employees saying they were inappropriately marketing fentanyl, and investors and businesses are seeing a big opportunity in addiction treatment.
In Latest Devastating Blow To Theranos, Walgreens Terminates Partnership
The 40 Theranos blood-draw sites inside Walgreens stores in Arizona, which the company calls “wellness centers,” have been the primary source of revenue for Theranos and its conduit to consumers.
House Republicans Complain That Medicare Officials Ignore Concerns About Drug Pricing
A group of lawmakers says the administration didn’t properly address its questions about a proposal to change how Medicare pays for drugs that are administered in out-patient settings, such as cancer infusion centers. Also, a look at Medicare’s latest proposal on payments for accountable care organizations and PolitiFact examines Democrats’ charge against the policies of Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., on Medicare.
On Medical Initiatives, Clinton’s Detailed Style Contrasts Sharply With Trump’s General Views
Donald Trump typically announces his thoughts on medical research only when asked directly about it — and so many in the field aren’t sure where exactly he stands on the issues. Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton calls the Republican presidential candidate out on his views about women’s health care at a Planned Parenthood Action Fund gala.
Ga. State Senator Who Once Led Fight Against Medicaid Expansion Has A Change Of Heart
Renee Unterman, who heads the Georgia Senate’s health committee, said last week, “Times have changed, and we’ve seen the effect of the health crisis we’re in.” Also, federal plans for a survey of Indiana’s Medicaid expansion is raising some concerns in the state.
California Inches Closer To Offering Coverage Under Health Law To Those In U.S. Illegally
Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation that would require the state to seek a waiver from the federal government to allow immigrants in the country illegally to buy insurance from Covered California exchanges. They would not be eligible for subsidies.
Republicans Shift Strategy, Go Small On Latest Health Law Changes
The move suggests that lawmakers are willing to make adjustments to the current law, despite plans to release replacement plan details. In other news, the insured who aren’t getting subsidies struggle under the threat of skyrocketing premiums, health care economists gather for a conference where the Affordable Care Act will take center stage and Solicitor General Donald Verrilli, in talking about his tenure, describes the reviews of his ACA performance as “quite rough.”
