Latest News On Legislation

Latest KFF Health News Stories

California’s New Transparency Law Reveals Steep Rise In Wholesale Drug Prices

KFF Health News Original

Pharmaceutical companies raised the wholesale cost of their drugs by a median of nearly 26% from 2017 to early 2019, according to California’s first-ever report stemming from a new drug price transparency law. Prices for generic drugs rose nearly 38% during that time.

Extent Of Health Coverage Gains From California Gig Worker Law Uncertain

KFF Health News Original

The new law reclassifies many independent contractors as employees, requiring they be offered a range of benefits. But that could have unintended consequences, experts warn.

KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: Impeachment And The Health Agenda

KFF Health News Original

Washington is abuzz with impeachment talk, but what impact would such a move have on congressional action on prescription drug prices and surprise bills? Also, a study out this week shows that health insurance costs for both employers and workers continue to rise. This week, Joanne Kenen of Politico, Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Post and Rebecca Adams of CQ Roll Call join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more.

States Pass Record Number Of Laws To Reel In Drug Prices

KFF Health News Original

So far this year, 33 states have enacted more than 50 measures to address drug prices, affordability and access. Congress is eyeing the efforts to see what works.

Watch: Five Things To Know About Hunger Among America’s Aging

KFF Health News Original

One out of every 13 seniors in America struggles to get enough food to eat while the federal program intended to help hasn’t kept pace with the graying population. KHN Midwest editor/correspondent Laura Ungar explains what you need to know about this largely hidden problem.

California Lawmakers Send Contested Vaccine Bill To Governor. Will He Sign It?

KFF Health News Original

The state Senate on Wednesday sent a measure to Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom that would tighten the rules for children’s medical exemptions from vaccines. Newsom, who said in June that he would sign the measure after amendments had been made at his request, now wants more changes.

Starving Seniors: How America Fails To Feed Its Aging

KFF Health News Original

One out of every 13 older Americans struggles to find enough food to eat while the federal program intended to help hasn’t kept pace with the graying population.

Trump Wants To Take Guns Away From People In Crisis. Will That Work?

KFF Health News Original

So-called red flag laws that let police take guns away from people with mental illness have support from both advocates and opponents of gun control. But it won’t alleviate gun violence.

Trump quiere quitarles las armas a las personas en crisis, ¿funcionará?

KFF Health News Original

Pidió una expansión de las leyes conocidas como órdenes de protección contra riesgos extremos, que permiten que una corte intervenga cuando alguien muestra señales de alarma de violencia inminente.

The Real-Life Conversion Of A Former Anti-Vaxxer

KFF Health News Original

Kelley Watson Snyder, a mother who for years opposed mandatory childhood vaccinations and joined with like-minded parents who espoused similar views, today runs a pro-vaccination Facebook page. What changed?

KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: Cue The Drug Price Debate

KFF Health News Original

Democrats and Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee unveiled their long-awaited proposal to try to rein in prescription drug costs, even as bipartisan leaders of the other Senate committee that oversees health announced it would not bring its drug price bill to the Senate floor until fall. Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Post, Rebecca Adams of CQ Roll Call and Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss this, plus court actions on health issues.