Latest KFF Health News Stories
But officials said the increase would have been closer to 5 percent had the individual mandate not been zeroed out.
Democrats Press Senate Republicans To Go On Record Supporting Pre-Existing Coverage Protections
The effort is led in a large part by vulnerable Democrats up for reelection. “This is a test of the Republican Party, whether or not they’re going to do the right thing when it comes to protecting people with pre-existing conditions,” said Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.). In other health law news: lawmakers want answers over cuts to outreach groups; Republican measures block D.C. from adding an individual mandate requirement; Americans say they find it harder to afford health care this year; and more.
The OMB was sent a rule related to the program on Wednesday from CMS that had a status that would allow it to go into effect immediately.
White House May Consider Importing Drugs In Certain Cases Where There Is A Steep Price Hike
Many Republicans — and even HHS Secretary Alex Azar — have previously opposed such a step, citing public safety as a concern. But Azar now says that there could be cases where it could be done effectively.
Merck follows Pfizer and Novartis in dropping prices on a few of their drugs. But, like with the other two, beneath the promise is a strategy that makes it uncertain if consumers will benefit. For example, Merck lowered the cost of its hepatitis C drug, Zepatier. But that treatment has not gained traction in the U.S. marketplace anyway, so the drop could actually be an attempt to boost Merck sales for an underperforming drug.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages focus on these and other health issues.
Opinion writers express views on issues related to the health law.
Longer Looks: Celebrities And Opioids; America’s Abortion Capital; And Guideline.gov
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets report on news from New York, Massachusetts, Texas, Missouri, Minnesota, Colorado, North Carolina, Virginia, Wisconsin, Georgia, California and Florida.
“For me, the social justice piece of it is much larger than, I think, the taxing and regulating — although that is important,” said New York Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes. News on marijuana comes from Oregon, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Ohio and Florida, also.
Pennsylvania’s High Court Allows Philadelphia’s Tax On Soda To Stand
The beverage industry argued that the tax duplicated another one, but the justices knocked that down. Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, a Democrat, hailed the decision, saying the ruling “offers renewed hope for tens of thousands of Philadelphia children and families who struggle for better lives in the face of rampant poverty.”
Doctors Wage War Against Trend Of Patients Posting Inaccurate, Negative Reviews Online
Several recent cases highlight the challenges doctors face when bringing suits against patients who post negative comments on their social media or platforms like Yelp.
Rep. Jim Jordan Pulled Deeper Into Scandal Involving Allegations Against OSU’s Former Team Doctor
A group of former students sue Ohio State University, and specifically name Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) in the case. Jordan maintains that he was not aware of sexual abuse allegations while he was a wrestling coach at the school.
Having 5 Or More Babies Increases Women’s Chance Of Being Diagnosed With Alzheimer’s By 70 Percent
The study also found that women who had experienced one or two incomplete pregnancies were much less likely to develop Alzheimer’s than women who had never been pregnant. In other public health news: study backs up assumptions that children of lesbians have no difference in adulthood than others; CDC warns about another food-related illness; heart failure is on the decline but still more likely to strike women; and more.
Rates from cirrhosis had been on the decline, but then took a sharp turn upward starting in 2009. “Dying from cirrhosis, you never wish this on anybody,” said lead author Elliot Tapper.
A new study on mice found that one injection could provide weeks of relief from chronic pain, though critics warn that it wouldn’t be realistic to frame it as a solution to the opioid crisis. “This is interesting and hopeful; almost too hopeful to be true,” said Dr. Michael Andary, a professor at Michigan State University College. News on the epidemic comes out of Washington, D.C., New Hampshire, Missouri and Kansas, as well.
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.
