Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: Social Security Disability Funding Fix Needed; Effect Of Alaska Medicaid Decision
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: Rising Maternal Mortality; Autistic Adults’ Pride; Drug Costs And The Trade Deal
Each week KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Health care stories are reported from Minnesota, Georgia, Kansas, California, North Carolina, Washington, Michigan, North Dakota, Virginia and Montana.
Clinical Trials For New Alzheimer’s Drugs Show Some Progress Toward Slowing Disease
The results were presented at an Alzheimer’s conference this week, but some researchers caution against raising hopes to high on early data that show incremental gains.
GOP lawmakers are calling for an investigation into the organization’s activities and for its federal funding to be revoked. And, even as Planned Parenthood attempts damage control, the controversy is touching various legislative proposals.
Top Oncologists Push Back On ‘Outrageous’ Costs Of Cancer Drugs
More than 110 doctors from cancer centers around the country called on drug makers to justify their soaring prices and for the government to put regulatory curbs in place. They noted that every new drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2014 was priced at more than $120,000 per year.
Anthem Closing In On Deal To Buy Cigna, Reports Say
As these two major insurers close in on a $48.8 billion deal, news outlets examine the impact the takeover might have on the insurance marketplace.
HHS Pushes States To Work To Keep Health Exchange Plans Affordable
The Department of Health and Human Services is, behind the scenes, encouraging states to negotiate lower rates on these plans. Meanwhile, The Hill reports that small business owners are lobbying this week to roll back a specific health Obamacare rule.
Medicare Trustees: Program’s Trust Fund Will Be Solvent Until 2030
But the annual report card issued Wednesday by the trustees of Medicare and Social Security also offers concerns — highlighting the fiscal challenges ahead for the Social Security disability program unless Congress intervenes.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Kasich’s Compassionate Conservatism; Medicare’s Hospice Care Plan
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Health care stories are reported from Massachusetts, Colorado, North Carolina, California, Minnesota, South Carolina and Kansas.
Start-Up Company Using Computer’s Artificial Intelligence To Study Genetic Data, Mutations
And in other genetic news, a Google company is planning to use Ancestry.com’s DNA database to look for hereditary influences on longevity.
Evidence Suggests Women’s Brains May Be More Vulnerable To Alzheimer’s
Research presented this week at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference found that women with cognitive impairment tend to decline faster than men.
Insurance Merger Raising Questions In Ill. About Consolidation Of Medicare Advantage Market
Humana and Aetna are the second- and third-largest Medicare Advantage companies in the state. Also in the news, Novartis reports flat sales in its eye-care business.
New Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs Could Be Next Salvo In Debate About Rising Drug Costs
In related news, The Wall Street Journal reports on the growing backlash to prescription medication costs and a recent court ruling for Novartis.
Lawmakers Push To Add Medical Industry, Citizen Members To Preventive Services Task Force
The federal panel is responsible for setting public health guidelines like its controversial recommendation on a more limited use of mammography. In other legislative news, a bill increasing funding for meals, home-based care and transportation services for low-income seniors could stall in the House.
Videos Fuel GOP Efforts To Defund Planned Parenthood
The release of a second covert video related to fetal parts has put the organization on the defensive. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., acknowledged that the videos raise questions but maintains that Planned Parenthood hasn’t broken the law.
Ohio Gov. Kasich Officially Enters GOP Presidential Primary Race
Meanwhile, Wis. Gov. Scott Walker raised more than $20 million from a PAC named after his battle with the state’s public-sector unions in which he proposed ending collective bargaining for most public workers and also wanted public employees to pay more for health insurance.
Potential For New Costs From Health Law, Other Regs Trigger Business, Worker Concerns
One report looks at anxiety about a future tax on generous health plans, while another article focuses on small business owners, whose worries include requirements for health coverage for employees and new costs from mandated pay increases and paid sick leave laws in some states and cities.
