Latest KFF Health News Stories
Everyone’s Talking About Fighting Opioid Crisis, But Advocates Still Aren’t Seeing Any New Money
President Donald Trump plans to discuss the national epidemic with administration officials on Thursday, following this week’s Capitol Hill hearings, about ways to curb the crisis. But advocates on the front lines are struggling with deep funding challenges.
Administration’s Decision To Halt Abortions Among Undocumented Minors Lacked Legal Vetting
Documents released by the ACLU show the decisions were made informally by email, memos and conversations rather than going through the normal legal process.
Antiquated System Shrouded In Secrecy Keeps Patients In The Dark About Bad Doctors
Doctors who get in trouble in one state can just move on to another, and often practice free and clear despite having been publicly disciplined, chastised or barred from practicing by state medical boards.
This Patent Lawyer May Be Most Powerful Man In Washington When It Comes To Curbing Drug Costs
Newly installed Patent and Trademark Office Director Andrei Iancu holds substantial sway over an intellectual property system that, critics say, has allowed drug makers to extend their monopolies through legal but questionable tactics. In other pharmaceutical news: orphan drugs, FDA regulations, the “Pharma Bro” and more.
Lawmakers Mull Complicated Maneuver To Stabilize Exchanges Without Having To Find Budget Offsets
While the process would be complex, the end result would be simple: It would allow Republicans to fund the insurer cost-sharing reductions without having to find a way to pay for them. In other health law news, an analysis projects that the administration’s expansion of association plans will lead to 4.3 million people leaving the individual and small-group insurance markets.
Walmart, Dick’s Will Institute Age Bans On Guns And No Longer Sell Assault-Style Rifles
The moves by the companies come as other major corporations have been distancing themselves from the NRA after the mass school shooting in Florida.
Bipartisan Group Of Senators Argue Ban On CDC Gun Research No Longer Makes Sense
A 1996 amendment prohibits the CDC from using funds to advocate for or promote gun control; while the language in the measure didn’t expressly prevent scientific research, it was ambiguous and the agency sharply curbed its research into gun violence. Meanwhile, advocates are taking advantage of the spotlight directed toward mental health to call attention to gaps in the system.
In a televised session on Wednesday, President Donald Trump signaled support on everything from expanded background checks, increased school security and mental health resources, and age limits. Trump also suggested that law enforcement officials should be able to confiscate people’s firearms without a court order.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages focus on these health topics and others.
Perspectives: We Need Bold Changes In Order To Bring Down Drug Costs, Not The Tweaks Trump Proposes
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
This ‘Lower Cost’ Generic’s Eye-Popping Price Tag: $18,375 For 100 Pills
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Media outlets report on news from Massachusetts, California, Michigan, Illinois, Georgia, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Indiana, New Mexico, and Virginia.
Nearly Every Hospital Patient Gets A Saline IV Bag. But Is There A Better Option?
Alternative intravenous fluids to the commonly used saline could save up to 70,000 lives a year, a new study finds. In other public health news: smoking while pregnant, memory loss, medical data, ALS, Weight Watchers, the U.S. pregnancy rate, and more.
While many funeral homes get reimbursements for burials or cremations, fewer of them are wiling to offer the services because the funds don’t cover ever-rising costs.
Virginia House Takes Aim At State Senate’s Plans To Expand Medicaid
The battle between the two chambers has been heating up as they debate a possible expansion of the state’s Medicaid program. Medicaid news comes out of Illinois, Ohio and Georgia, as well.
Tighter Regulations In Midwest States May Be Sending Women To Illinois To Seek Abortions
A new report shows that more than 4,500 women crossed into Illinois to terminate a pregnancy in 2016, up from 3,200 the previous year. Outlets report on abortion-related news out of Ohio, Mississippi and Tennessee, as well.
Shulkin Promises Rebellion At VA Won’t Take His Focus Away From Improving Veterans’ Care
“I’m not spending my time looking for subversion or doing investigations,” VA Secretary David Shulkin said. “When it becomes clear to me when people are pursuing different agendas, then I’m going to address that.” The secretary, fresh off a travel scandal, has been promising to rout anyone trying to undermine him from his agency goals.
Health Law’s Middle-Ground Approach Based On GOP Ideology No Longer Good Enough For Liberals
Democrats and liberal activists are no longer satisfied with a strategy that maintains private insurers’ primary role. They’re starting to focus instead on expanding popular government programs like Medicare and Medicaid.
Republican Lawmakers Pump Brakes On Gun Control Momentum
House Speaker Paul Ryan and Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.) both moved to temper enthusiasm about getting any gun control legislation through Congress, despite the surge of public ire following the latest mass school shooting. Meanwhile, lawmakers will meet with President Donald Trump today to discuss ways to battle gun violence.
