Latest KFF Health News Stories
Editorial pages focus on these health topics and others.
Opinion writers expressed views on the public health crisis caused by gun violence.
Media outlets report on news from New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, D.C., Texas, California, Florida, Colorado, Ohio, Nebraska, Arizona, Wyoming and Missouri.
Debate Over Medicaid Rule Changes May Torpedo Mississippi’s Budget Talks
State House members have been seeking another opportunity for the state’s hospitals to bid on part of the Medicaid program’s managed care business, but the Senate is resisting that demand. Outlets report on Medicaid news out of Colorado, Texas and Maine, as well.
The experts talk with Modern Healthcare about the quality and safety of patient care in the country. “Are we better? Yeah, no question,” said Dr. Brent James, former chief quality officer at Intermountain Healthcare. “Are we as good as we can be? Not nearly.”
The bill passed by the House last week “does somewhere between nothing and absolutely nothing to help you,” said Dr. Arthur L. Caplan, a bioethicist at New York University. Patients are actually getting blocked by the drug companies themselves. Meanwhile, California’s drug transparency law has kicked in, but it’s still unclear if it will be met with success in controlling costs.
Public Education Efforts Not Moving The Needle In Fight Against Obesity
“Most people know that being overweight or obese is unhealthy, and if you eat too much that contributes to being overweight,” said Dr. James Krieger. “But just telling people there’s a problem doesn’t solve it.” In other public health news: why certain people don’t get sick, baby talk, birth control apps, suicide, and worker death.
The $4.6 billion allocated is a record amount for the government. But, by comparison, the U.S. is spending more than $7 billion annually on discretionary domestic funding on AIDS, an epidemic with a death toll that peaked in 1995 at 43,000. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has directed federal prisons to use one particular treatment that would benefit a single drugmaker in his plan to battle the crisis, and rural areas are struggling because of a dearth of methadone vans.
Change To Ban On CDC Gun Research ‘Meaningless’ Without Funding, Researchers Say
Despite a measure in the spending bill that will allow the CDC to study the public health risks associated with guns, top appropriators in Congress say they have no interest in funding new research. With no additional funds, public health experts are pessimistic there will be any changes from the supposed victory.
Administration’s Focus On High-Skilled Immigration Puts Personal Health Care Services In Jeopardy
In 2017, 26 percent of personal care aides and home health aides were foreign born, and as baby boomers age, the demand for workers in the fast-growing field is only going to increase.
Some Transgender Troops Can Continue To Serve Under Trump’s New Policy, But New Recruits Are Banned
Under the new policy, troops who require or have had gender reassignment surgery or those with “gender dysphoria” would be disqualified from service — but with some exceptions. The move was promptly assailed by congressional Democrats and civil rights groups, and legal challenges are all-but certain.
Trump Wants Shulkin Out As VA Continues To Be Rocked By Turmoil And Rebellion, Sources Say
Speculation over Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin’s fate has been simmering for several weeks after a a watchdog report cited inappropriate travel spending. Shulkin has also made waves by accusing those within the agency of trying to undermine him.
With Premiums Likely To Spike Just Before Midterms, Lawmakers Are Bracing For Blame Game Battle
Language on abortion threw a wrench in both sides’ plans to add money to stabilize the marketplace into the sweeping spending bill that Congress passed last week. Now they’ll have to deal with the potential fallout. Meanwhile, some Americans are opting to take a chance they’ll stay healthy over paying astronomical insurance bills.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages highlight these health topics and others.
Research Roundup: Family Caregivers; Medicare ACO Enrollment; High-Flow Oxygen Therapy
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Media outlets report on news from Ohio, Wyoming, Florida, Indiana, Minnesota, Kansas, Tennessee, Maryland, Georgia, Wisconsin and Puerto Rico.
Americans Think Pharma Has More Clout In Washington Than NRA Or Wall Street
A poll finds that while Americans are concerned about drug prices, many don’t have confidence that the current administration will be able to fix high prices.
Bipartisan Group Of Senators ‘Deeply Concerned’ Over CMS’ Oversight Of Way Medicaid Pays For Drugs
The senators asked CMS Administrator Seema Verma if she needs Congress to craft legislation to grant the agency more authority with the end goal of creating more transparency in the pricing.
Idaho To Require Clinics To Report How Many Times A Patient Has Terminated A Pregnancy
The legislation would also require providers collect other personal information about women seeking abortions. The move is part of a nationwide trend to add restrictions to the procedure. Meanwhile, Kansas wants the Supreme Court to overturn a ruling that prevents the state from cutting off Medicaid funds to a Planned Parenthood affiliate.
