Latest KFF Health News Stories
Adding Lifetime Limits To Medicaid Would Be ‘Unspeakably Cruel,’ Democrats Tell HHS Secretary
So far, five states — Maine, Arizona, Utah, Wisconsin and Kansas — have applied for waivers from the Health and Human Services Department to put a cap on how long Medicaid beneficiaries can receive health benefits. In other news, the Medicaid expansion stalemate in Virginia continues as lawmakers say they won’t be able to reach a budget deal by the scheduled conclusion of the session.
Some Areas Of Country Could See ‘Catastrophic’ Premium Increase In Next Three Years
The analysis found that the elimination of the individual mandate in 2019 will be the main driver of the spike in premiums. “The middle class will be priced out of insurance in about a third of America,” said Peter Lee, executive director of Covered California.
Administration Rejects Idaho’s Attempt To Skirt Health Law Rules, But Offers Another Path Forward
Idaho invited insurers to submit coverage plans that don’t measure up to the health law’s requirements. While CMS Administrator Seema Verma said the government has a duty to enforce and uphold the law, she also suggested that with slight modifications the coverage could be legally offered as a short-term plan.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages highlight these health issues and others.
Longer Looks: Mental Illness And Homelessness; Death By Bacon; The End Of Mall-Walkers
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets report on news from Hawaii, Georgia, California, New York, Florida, Maryland and Montana.
Mississippi Poised To Pass 15-Week Abortion Ban That Would Challenge Supreme Court Ruling
The effort is the latest attempt by states seeking to test the Supreme Court’s ruling on when abortions can be performed. Meanwhile, the Indiana Legislature sent a bill to the governor that would change the way medical providers report on abortion complications.
Oklahoma Is Latest State To Signal Interest In Adding Medicaid Work Requirements
After the Trump administration released guidance that work mandates would be approved, many red states have begun jumping at the chance to add restrictions to their Medicaid programs. Media outlets report on Medicaid news out of Virginia, Arkansas and Florida, as well.
Study Upends Widely Held Belief That Adults Can Create New Neurons, Uproar Ensues
If the UCSF researchers are right that the adult human brain does not produce any detectable new neurons in the area that’s supposedly ground zero for neuronal creation, 20 years of neuroscience textbooks have to be rewritten. In other public health news: pre-teen suicide, male doctors in gynecology, probiotics, cancer, and aging.
U.S. District Judge Dan Polster is overseeing a case that consolidated more than 350 lawsuits from cities and states across the country against drugmakers for their alleged role in the opioid epidemic. Although Polster has been pushing for both sides to talk and get to the root of the crisis, it may end up going to court.
Defying NRA, Florida Lawmakers Send Gun Control Legislation To Governor’s Desk
Although the legislation falls short of many of the demands from students affected by the Parkland shooting and other advocates, if it is signed the bill will be the first successful gun control measure in Florida in more than 20 years. Media outlets take a look at what made it in the final draft.
Drugmakers’ ‘Sham Transactions’ With Tribes To Game Patent System Targeted By Lawmakers
The latest legislation introduced in the Senate would limit the ability of a company to transfer patent rights to a foreign country or under legal claims of tribal sovereign immunity.
FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb’s sharp words for the pharmaceutical industry are seen as a strong signal of his interest in curbing high drug costs.
With Women’s Health Riders, Republicans Throw Wrench In Otherwise Smooth Budget Talks
Democrats are opposed to new additions to the fiscal 2018 Labor-Health and Human Services funding measure that target Planned Parenthood and other reproductive health programs.
Lawmakers, Unfazed By White House Memo, Work On Finishing Touches To Market Stabilization Deal
A leaked memo from the Trump administration includes new demands in return for the president’s support, but lawmakers are marching forward with their efforts and are optimistic for a deal soon. Meanwhile, a group of attorneys general is speaking out against a rule to allow states to work around certain health law requirements.
Three Veterans Affairs programs under now-VA Secretary David Shulkin’s management from 2015 to 2016 knew of “serious, persistent deficiencies,” a VA internal watchdog report finds. Meanwhile, Shulkin announced an overhaul of the senior leadership overseeing almost two dozen troubled hospitals across the country.
In Search Of The Next Bill Gates: Hospitals Gamble On Health-Tech Startups In Hopes Of Striking Big
“We view this as a strategic investment. It will be important to the care of patients and we also can presumably make money,” says Thomas Thornton, senior vice president of Northwell Ventures, the for-profit arm of a health system in New York.
Cigna Move To Buy Express Scripts Is Latest Acquisition In Rapidly Evolving Health Industry
Cigna would acquire Express Scripts in a cash-and-stock deal worth about $52 billion, excluding debt, the companies say.
To qualify for the discounted $5.99 monthly Prime membership, customers must have a valid Electronic Benefits Transfer or Medicaid card.
