Latest KFF Health News Stories
If a patient is on Medicare, the insurers have to cover it. But many are younger than that when they get their transplant procedures. That means the commercial insurers are allowed to deny coverage of the medications. Meanwhile, hospitals across the United States are holding honor walks to show respect to patients at the end of life who are donating organs to others.
Some states, emboldened by the make-up of the Supreme Court, start to introduce more and more restrictive bills which are designed to directly challenge abortion precedent in courts. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court declines to hear a case against Planned Parenthood, effectively siding with the women’s reproductive health organization in a lawsuit brought by anti-abortion activists. Abortion news comes out of Texas, Massachusetts and Iowa as well.
CMS To Give Medicare Advantage Plans A Pay Boost Along With More Flexibility
“These changes to the model better reflect costs and improve the financing for the care of beneficiaries with multiple conditions,” said CMS Administrator Seema Verma.
A new survey paints a grim picture of what Americans are doing to afford health care across the country. And few have optimism that it’s going to get any better.
The meeting with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s senior health policy adviser, Wendell Primus, came across as an invitation to help kill the idea, according to Politico’s interviews with people who were in the room at the time. The reports highlight a growing division between moderates and progressives over the next steps for health care.
Billions Of Dollars In Disaster Aid Stuck In Congress, As Both Parties Balk At Relief Legislation
The Senate shot down test votes on two competing plans for delivering at least $13 billion in aid to communities hit by hurricanes, wildfires and catastrophic flooding in recent months. Democrats want more money for Puerto Rico, while Republicans don’t think states in the Midwest are getting enough funding. It’s unclear where the measure will go from here.
While many advocates cheered the rulings last week, some experts think they could be the push that gets red states — who were starting to come around to qualified expansion — to abandon plans completely. Medicaid news comes out of Nebraska, Montana, Iowa, Illinois and Tennessee, as well.
Despite Tumultuous Court Battles Over Health Law, Industry Proceeds Like It Is Business As Usual
Most legal experts don’t expect the health law to actually be overturned, so many in the health care field are ignoring the day-in-day-out drama of the case. Meanwhile, a separate ruling that association health plans are illegal leaves some companies unsure about what to do next.
The attorneys general of Ohio and Montana submitted “friend of the court” briefs to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which is expected to review a December ruling striking down the health law. The filings are indicative of the hesitation that can be felt from some in the Republican party over President Donald Trump’s decision to ask the court to completely nullify the law.
President Donald Trump has been promising that congressional Republicans are crafting a “spectacular” replacement plan in case the health law is invalidated by the courts — as his administration supports — but he amended his timeline to punt what could be a costly political battle for his party until after the 2020 elections.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages focus on these health issues and others.
Opinion writers weigh in the health law and other insurance issues.
Media outlets report on news from California, Massachusetts, Arizona, D.C., Tennessee, Missouri, Ohio, Texas, Oregon, New Hampshire and Florida.
After Battling Her Breast Cancer, Scientist Works To Give A.I. Expertise In Reading Mammograms
Computer scientist Regina Barzilay said, “At every point of my treatment, there would be some point of uncertainty, and I would say, ‘Gosh, I wish we had the technology to solve it.’ So when I was done with the treatment, I started my long journey toward this goal.” But she was surprised the nation’s science and cancer foundations weren’t interested in funding her. Other news on technology looks at algorithms’ “deep learnings,” CRISPR’s risks and rewards, birth control apps and health aides in the form of robots.
The industry is starting to realize the residents in assisted facilities aren’t likely to go outside to visit their doctors. So instead of turning each medical event into an emergency, some places are starting to bring the doctors in themselves.
Residents in Rockland County, New York have been seen crossing the streets to avoid members of the Jewish community. Religious leaders worry not only about the anti-semitism that’s emerging because of the measles cases, but also the government’s intervention into their close-knit population. Other news on outbreaks comes from Washington state, Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Patients Going To In-Network Hospitals Are Still Receiving Eye-Popping Surprise Medical Bills
The nationwide phenomenon of surprise medical bills, which is starting to gain more attention, comes often times from a doctor being out-of-network yet still working in a hospital that’s in-network. States are increasingly passing laws to protect patients from these charges, such as limiting the dollar amount of out-of-network fees.
The OxyContin-manufacturer documented how it could make money at both ends of the funnel as an “end-to-end pain provider.” That is just one piece of damning information coming to light in court about the Sackler family and their company Purdue Pharma. In other news on the national opioid crisis: workers bring addiction to the job; a patents victory on opioid addiction treatments; a mother’s search for the truth about an overdose; and more.
Moderate Democrats To Introduce ‘Medicare X’ Plan That Would Create Public Option
The plan from Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) comes amidst a growing battle within the party over how far left to swing when it comes to health care. Many progressives are pushing for “Medicare for All” style proposals, while moderates back measures that would incrementally expand government-run health care.
