The independent source for health policy research, polling, and news.
24,101-24,120 of 113,171 results
Tom Price, who served in the House of Representatives before joining the Trump administration, is asking Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp to appoint him as the replacement for Sen. Johnny Isakson, who is resigning at the end of the year.
On the federal level, a congressional panel is calling on e-cigarette manufacturers to stop advertising their products in response to increases in youth vaping. And, as Juul - the company that has been the industry's poster child - faces an increasing number of lawsuits, it has asked a federal judge to assign them to a judge in San Francisco, its hometown.
The federal government's fiscal year ends Monday and the legislation will provide money to keep the government running. Congress has not yet passed bills to fund individual agencies. Also in news from Capitol Hill, Senate Democrats are seeking a vote to overturn some of the administration's rules on insurance, consumer groups lobby for legislation to protect against surprise medical bills, the Senate turns down a measure to give federal workers paid family leave and the House passes a bill to improve care for immigrants at the border.
According to the latest information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all of the reported cases have a history of e-cigarette product use or vaping. Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration is conducting a criminal investigation.
Also, in Massachusetts, outlets report on how e-cigarette company Juul's state lobbying efforts haven't fared well so far. But one local vape shop is filing a lawsuit challenging the state's four-month ban on the sale of vaping products, saying it is unenforceable and was put in place without sufficient notice. The San Joaquin County, Calif., district attorney is launching a Juul investigation.
Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers weigh in on these health care issues and others.
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Media outlets report on news from Texas, Colorado, Tennessee, Maryland, Maine, California, Connecticut, Missouri and Wisconsin.
A weekly round-up of stories related to pharmaceutical development and pricing.
The number of witnesses in the upcoming case was trimmed down from 150 to 85 on Wednesday. Plaintiffs from two Ohio counties have accused the drug companies and distributors of creating a “public nuisance” that harmed the health of residents, and operated in concert, in much the same way as an illegal drug gang would. News on opioid-related issues focuses on a lost bid for a lawsuit, Chris Christie's $800,000 consulting contract with a drug maker, efforts to help family members, and more.
After news came to light of his arrest this summer in an alleged alcohol-related car accident, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina CEO Patrick Conway resigned from the insurer. Chief Operating Officer Gerald Petkau will step in as interim CEO. The incident also put a planned affiliation with Cambia Health Solutions on hold.
Also, Novartis AG’s Sandoz unit recalled its generic version of the drug, called ranitidine, on Tuesday, confirming it had found worrisome levels of the carcinogen called NDMA.
“Just last year, Louisiana ranked as our nation’s least healthy state," said board chairman David Wilson. " ...we will be able to provide better access to health care here in Acadiana and to continue growing our local economy.” Other hospital industry news is on a new children's hospital in Louisiana, security lapses at Stanford Hospital in a locked psychiatric unit, and PTSD's impact on nurses.
Amazon's kickoff into telemedicine is already impacting potential competitors. And in moves that could shake up the health care industry in the future, Walmart says it is teaming up with companies to offer discounts to its customers while Best Buy touts a plan to provide health monitoring services for seniors. Other marketplace news covers the ambulatory surgery industry and developments in consumer genetic testing.
The four-year agreement, which covers 85,000 employees in seven states and the District of Columbia, must still be voted on by workers. It would raise wages, offer new education programs and curb outsourcing of some jobs.
Workers contribute about $6,000 on average to that cost, but they also shoulder increasingly high deductibles and copayments.
About a third of people opt for Medicare Advantage plans, and during the upcoming enrollment period they will now see options for things that will help them prevent illness, like carpet shampooing. But Medicare Advantage can still restrict access to doctors and hospitals. In news on Medicaid, the CMS acting director Calder Lynch identifies ways to control spending.
GOP members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee took a hard line at the first hearing on the proposals by Speaker Nancy Pelosi to curb drug price increases. Meanwhile, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) released a plan he and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) are offering on the issue. But both sides acknowledged that progress on the issue may be stymied for now given the partisan divide on Capitol Hill.
A bitter impeachment debate in Washington may push legislative matters to the side. Other news on Capitol Hill includes complaints about ads against legislation seeking to end surprise medical bills, concerns about funding for community health centers and a bill to help marijuana businesses get banking services.
© 2026 KFF