Latest KFF Health News Stories
Number Of Uninsured Kids Drops Sharply In 23 States Since Health Law’s Start
No state saw an increase in uninsured children. Nearly 5 million Americans younger than 19 still lack health insurance though, according to a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation report.
Idaho Alternative To Medicaid Expansion Approved By Legislative Committee
The measure would provide some basic health services to those who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but aren’t eligible for premium subsidies under the federal health law. But it wouldn’t cover prescription drugs, hospitalization or expensive treatments. Other outlets report on Medicaid expansion efforts in Utah and Virginia.
Former Ky. Governor Launches Drive To Stop GOP’s Rollback Of Health Care Initiatives
Former Gov. Steve Beshear, a Democrat who helped implement the Affordable Care’s Medicaid expansion in the state and set up a highly successful insurance marketplace, is trying to galvanize opposition to his successor’s plans to dissolve those programs.
At Debate, Clinton Knocks Sanders’ Medicare-For-All Plan: ‘The Numbers Don’t Add Up’
The Democratic candidates sparred over universal health care at their latest debate on Thursday, with Hillary Clinton painting Bernie Sanders’ proposal as unrealistic. But Sanders defended his vision, saying “health care is a right of all people.”
First Edition: February 12, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: Zika; Staying Sober; McDonald’s At The Hospital
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
News outlets report on health issues in Massachusetts, Ohio, North Carolina, Missouri, Colorado, Iowa, New York, Maryland, Minnesota, Iowa, Rhode Island and Texas.
Ariz. House Panel Gives Nod To Bill To Restore Kids’ Health Insurance Program
The panel’s vote moved Arizona a step closer to joining ranks with 49 other states that publicly fund health-insurance coverage for children in low-income families. The state froze enrollment in the KidsCare program in 2010 amid state budget cuts. Meanwhile, in other state legislative news, Wisconsin’s budget committee approved additional funding for the state’s mental health institutions, California’s health plan tax continues to make progress and Georgia’s dental hygienist bill is still on hold.
Dementia On The Decline, Longterm Study Finds
Rates of dementia dropped 44 percent over the past 40 years, according to a Framingham Heart Study that studied 5,200 people whose memories have been tested since 1975. But the decline in Alzheimer’s cases was “not significant” and researchers find that risks vary between ethnic groups.
Sherrod Brown Offers Bill To Advance Comprehensive View Of Drug Addiction
A key point in the measure is that addiction should be treated as a disease not a character flaw.
Bill Defunding Planned Parenthood In Ohio Sent To Kasich
The governor and presidential candidate is expected to sign the legislation, which effectively cuts $1.3 million annually used by Planned Parenthood clinics for HIV testing, pre-natal care and other services. Meanwhile, media outlets offer coverage of Planned Parenthood and abortion news in Louisiana, Texas, Colorado and other states.
Burwell Says Administration Is Pursuing ‘Every Option’ To Address High Prescription Drug Costs
In other news, drug maker Mylan reaches $7.2 billion deal to buy the Swedish company, Meda, which has a portfolio of specialty generic and over-the-counter products. With the purchase, Mylan will gain access to new markets.
Unexpected Health Costs Add To Challenge Of Recovering From Medical Care
The Associated Press reports that nearly a third of insured Americans who have financial problems tied to medical bills faced charges that their insurance would not cover. In other news, The Wall Street Journal reports on a counter-intuitive finding that, in retirement, the healthier a person is, they more they will spend on health care.
Insurers, Hit Hard By ACA Loses, Eye 2016 Profits As Pivotal To Staying In The Exchanges
Humana is the latest to say it has experienced loses from plans under the health law. “If 2016 is like 2015, we’ll have a real problem, because carriers could just start pulling out,” said one analyst.
Kansas House Rejects Debate On Medicaid Expansion
In a procedural move, the Kansas House denied efforts by expansion supporters to add the program during a debate on the budget. News outlets also report on Medicaid expansion debates in New Hampshire and Nebraska.
New Ky. Governor’s Efforts On Health Care Galvanizing ACA Supporters And Opponents
Gov. Matt Bevin has become a hero to conservative Republicans opposed to the federal health law, while Obamacare supporters are concerned that his actions could hurt the 2 million people who have gained coverage in the state. In other news, a look at how the health law is affecting farm contractors, and Maryland reports its enrollment numbers.
Lawmakers Question CDC Head Over Abortion Funding In $1.8 Billion Zika Request
At a House subcommittee hearing, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Tom Frieden told concerned members that the request does not allocate spending for abortions, a perception public health advocates worry will derail funding. In other Zika news, a Catholic group makes a plea to the pope to allow women to use contraception, WHO offers advice to women, and European researchers discover a clue that may help unlock the mysteries surrounding the virus’ effects.
Study Raises Concerns About Doctor-Assisted Suicide For People With Mental Disorders
Research in the Netherlands, where assisted suicides for people with severe psychiatric problems is allowed, found that depression and loneliness were cited by patients as reasons they wanted to die. And NPR reports on another public health study the looks into the impact of gender imbalance in animal testing.
First Edition: February 11, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
