Morning Breakouts

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Those Specialty Drugs Likely Cost More Than Your Household Income

Morning Briefing

A new report says a year’s worth of specialty drugs now outpaces the U.S. median household income. Elsewhere, using brand-name drugs over generic equivalents doesn’t often boost patient satisfaction. And the price of hepatitis C drugs may be holding back the eradication of the disease and playing a role as Medicaid denies nearly half of requests for the treatments.

Md. Agrees To Overhaul Health Services In Baltimore Jail As Part Of Settlement In Decades-Long Dispute

Morning Briefing

Medical care will be expanded at the state-run Baltimore City Detention Center to provide accommodations for people with disabilities and to establish guidelines for assessing, treating and independently monitoring detainees’ physical and mental health as part of a settlement in a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of pretrial detainees.

Top Veterans Affairs Official Lays Out Overhaul Plan For VA Health Care System To Lawmakers

Morning Briefing

Deputy Secretary Sloan Gibson told the House Committee on Veterans Affairs that the agency was working to improve the network of private doctors available to veterans. In other VA news, a former Phoenix VA hospital director will keep her bonus despite being fired for misconduct. And Rep. John Mica introduces a bill that would transfer federal control of a VA nursing home to Florida.

Ohio Gov. Kasich’s Office Helped Create Abortion Restrictions

Morning Briefing

The legislation required clinics where abortions are performed to have emergency-transfer protocol with nearby hospitals, among other measures. Elsewhere, a conservative group questions Carly Fiorina’s credentials, the Democratic presidential frontrunners spar on health care taxes and divisions appear within the Clinton Health Access Initiative.

Sen. Sasse, Seeking Info On Insurance Co-Ops’ Collapse, Vows To Block FDA Nominee

Morning Briefing

The Nebraska Republican says he will block Robert Califf’s confirmation until the administration gives him information about the shuttering of a dozen health insurance co-ops set up by the health law. Also in the news, an SEC investigation of insider trading is now focusing on the workings of a House committee and a Capitol Hill hearing examines the power of pharmacy benefit managers.