Latest KFF Health News Stories
Gawande To Hit The Road On A Listening Tour As First Step In New Role As CEO
Dr. Atul Gawande has taken up the reigns on the Amazon-JPMorgan Chase-Berkshire Hathaway initiative that aims to lower health care costs in America. As his first order of business, Gawande wants to chat with the people one-on-one to understand the breadth of challenges facing the country. In other health industry news, a few deals and mergers to watch out for.
As Medicare-For-All Movement Builds Steam, House Democrats To Create Official Caucus
The caucus will launch with about 60 members and will be led by Democratic Reps. Pramila Jayapal of Washington, Debbie Dingell of Michigan and Keith Ellison of Minnesota, with more expected to sign on in the coming weeks.
By doing so, CMS aims to show that it is taking the concerns of the court into consideration.
HHS Secretary Alex Azar has become the face — and punching bag — for the immigration crisis. So to continue to push his health agenda for the department, Azar may have to rely on an inner circle of four top advisers.
The reshuffling is just the latest sign of upheaval at the troubled Veterans Affairs agency, which has been roiled with scandal after scandal.
Pharma Companies Have Infiltrated Process That Determines How Their Drugs Are Covered By Taxpayers
An investigation by NPR and the Center for Public Integrity looks at the brazen and sometimes illegal steps the companies take to get their medication on Medicaid’s “preferred drug lists.” In other pharmaceutical news: FDA Chief Scott Gottlieb blasts drugmakers for blocking development of biosimilars; the White House is reviewing a plan to curb drug rebates; a Senate panel will vote on “gag clauses” next week; and more.
Novartis Becomes Second Pharma Company To Pull Back On 2018 Price Increases
Recently, Pfizer was lambasted by President Donald Trump over its price hikes and announced it would roll them back. Novartis, which is dealing with a public relations crisis from its contact with Trump’s personal attorney Michael Cohen, said it is following suit: “We thought that was prudent, given the dynamic environment we’re currently in,” said Chief Executive Vas Narasimhan.
States are taking on more power as the Trump administration and Republicans chip away at federal regulations, leaving the landscape bumpy and uneven. Meanwhile, the National Federation of Independent Business, after lobbying for years, said it won’t set up an association health plan because the new rules laid out by President Donald Trump are unworkable.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers focus on these and other health topics.
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
The Next Big Question Over Amazon’s Foray Into Prescription Drugs: What Will It Do About PBMs?
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Media outlets report on news from Massachusetts, Ohio, Texas, Oklahoma, California, Texas, Puerto Rico, Wisconsin, North Carolina and Missouri.
There’s currently no federal law for schools to test for lead. In other public health news: an Alzheimer’s test, chronic brain injuries, gene-editing, aspirin, vaping, sleep and more.
Study Sheds Light On Need For More Research About Teens’ Smartphone Usage, ADHD Symptoms
The research suggests that there’s at least a casual link, but experts don’t know the extent of the connection.
Trends With Anti-Anxiety Pills Hearken Back To Early Days Of Opioid Crisis
Experts say that not only is overprescribing of “benzos” putting people at risk for dependence, but are also exacerbating overdoses from opioids. News on the drug epidemic comes out of New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Florida, as well.
Previous rulings have mostly come down on the side of the person who does not want to have the baby, with the idea that no one should be forced to become a parent. But new legislation in Arizona favors the party who intends to help the fertilized eggs “develop to birth.”
In other news on veterans health care, a new top health official is named at Veterans Affairs but only temporarily, and the Kansas medical board revokes the license of a former VA doctor.
Despite Topping Profit Expectations, UnitedHealth Underwhelms Some On Wall Street
The insurer lost customers from a core business: administering health coverage for large employers. CEO David Wichmann said that the company is not performing to its full potential and went on to tout digital health as a key part to its future success.
Doctors Sue Anthem Over Company Policy On Not Paying For Some Emergency Care Costs
The insurer instituted the policy with the goal of cutting down unnecessary emergency room visits, which drive up health care costs. But the doctors say Anthem violated legal requirements that insurers cover care in a situation where a “prudent layperson” would believe he or she was experiencing an emergency.
