Phil Galewitz

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pgalewitz@kff.org
@philgalewitz

CMS Ignores Federal Judge Ruling To Approve Medicaid Work Rules in Utah

KFF Health News Original

Work helps make people healthier, CMS chief Seema Verma said in approving Utah’s waiver request to tie government health benefits to employment or volunteer work. But Judge James Boasberg has said that isn’t the goal of Medicaid.

Federal Judge Again Blocks Medicaid Work Requirements

KFF Health News Original

The decision applies only to Kentucky and Arkansas, and many experts expect the administration and other conservative states to continue to move forward on rules that would limit coverage for people who don’t work.

Medicaid Expansion Boosts Hospital Bottom Lines — And Prices

KFF Health News Original

Colorado officials say hospitals are better off financially after the state expanded coverage to more low-income residents, but that hasn’t stopped them from shifting more costs to other insured patients.

Cities And Counties Unlikely To Heed FDA Warning On Importing Foreign Drugs

KFF Health News Original

The Food and Drug Administration claims CanaRX, a company used by more than 500 cities, counties and school districts to help their employees get cheaper drugs from overseas, has sent “unapproved” and “misbranded” drugs to U.S. consumers, jeopardizing their safety.

In Florida, Drug Importation From Canada Finds New Champions, Old Snags

KFF Health News Original

The state’s governor said the plan has the full support of the White House. But the Trump administration was noncommittal about whether allowing states to buy and import cheaper drugs from up north could be the answer to the nation’s drug-pricing problem.

Glimpsing The Future At Gargantuan Health Tech Showcase

KFF Health News Original

Innovations to help consumers manage their health were on display at the nation’s largest health technology conference that attracted more than 40,000 health industry professionals to Orlando.

Utah’s Novel Plan For Medicaid Expansion Opens Door To Spending Caps Sought By GOP

KFF Health News Original

Utah’s proposal to limit federal and state funding on Medicaid is a radical change. Anti-poverty advocates are concerned that caps could limit how many people are enrolled and restrict services. They also worry other states would adopt a similar plan.

Shrinking Medicaid Rolls In Missouri And Tennessee Raise Flag On Vetting Process

KFF Health News Original

State health officials say several factors, including the improved economy, are behind the 7 percent drop last year in Missouri and 9 percent reduction in Tennessee of Medicaid recipients. But advocates for the poor are worried the states’ efforts to weed out residents who are improperly enrolled has led to people mistakenly forced off the rolls.

Hospitals Check To See If Patients Are Donor-Worthy — Not Their Organs, But Pockets

KFF Health News Original

Hospitals often contract with market data firms to screen patients’ wealth. That software allows the hospitals to gauge patients’ propensity to donate based on public records, including property and stock ownership and campaign donations.

Under Trump, Number Of Uninsured Kids Rose For First Time This Decade

KFF Health News Original

About 276,000 more children are among the uninsured, a new report finds. Though the uptick is statistically small, it is striking because uninsured rates usually decrease during periods of economic growth.

Midterm Election Boosts Medicaid Expansion, But Challenges Remain

KFF Health News Original

Following the vote, nearly 500,000 uninsured adults in five states are poised to gain Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act, say advocates. But many conservatives remain opposed to the expansion.