Latest KFF Health News Stories
Lawmakers May Scale Back Medicare Drug Changes In Spending Bill In A Win For Pharma Lobbyists
The original provision shifted a chunk of Medicare drug costs onto drugmakers and away from insurers’ responsibility.
House Fails To Pass Right-To-Try Bill In Surprising Defeat To Trump, Conservatives’ Agenda
The legislation, which critics said gave patients false hope, needed a two-thirds majority to pass. The House can still work on the Senate’s version, which would only require a simple majority vote, if lawmakers want to move forward with a bill.
Following Weeks Of Infighting And Scandal At VA, Trump Mulls Ousting Embattled Secretary
Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin, following a travel scandal, spoke about rousting political foes in the agency who he said were trying to undermine him. As President Donald Trump takes other steps to re-align his cabinet, Shulkin may be the next to go.
After Trying Nearly Everything Else To Protect Drug Profits, Pharma Tries Actually Cutting Prices
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Small ‘Hungry’ Firm Goes Up Against Centene In Bidding War Over Iowa’s Privatized Medicaid Program
The two companies are bidding to replace AmeriHealth Caritas, which pulled out of Iowa’s privatized Medicaid program last fall after losing hundreds of millions of dollars on the project. Outlets report on Medicaid news out of Connecticut, Illinois, Minnesota and Ohio as well.
Flu Vaccine Forecast: If There Is A Cure, It May Still Be ‘A Decade Away’
While flu rates are finally easing up, researchers look for ways to improve the shot that this year was only 36 percent effective. “The one thing about flu that you can count on, is that it will be unpredictable,” said Dr. Nicole Marie Iovine of the University of Florida. Meanwhile, the flu season continues and record high deaths occur in Delaware.
Injection Of Stem Cells May Help Save Babies Born With Only One Half Of Their Heart Working
Right now, the only course of treatment is heart surgery, and even then, only 60 percent of the children celebrate their 5th birthdays. But a new study is offering families hope. In other public health news: sepsis, brain health, blood pressure and PTSD in sexual assault victims.
Great Recession Study Highlights How Economic Upheaval Negatively Affects Personal Health
Researchers looked at blood pressure and glucose levels, which are ideal metrics for studying the impact of a short-term shock like the recession. The groups that showed some of the largest increases — adults who were likely working but approaching retirement and older, educated homeowners — are exactly the people who were likely to be hit hardest by the recession’s effects.
Naloxone Has Become Key Weapon In Fight Against Opioid Crisis. But Is It Doing More Harm Than Good?
A new working paper finds that there’s been a 14-percent increase in opioid-related mortality attributable to expanded naloxone access. Many in the field are troubled by the moral implications of publishing research making claims that could have wide-reaching ramifications. Meanwhile, a group of bipartisan senators introduce legislation to strength the DEA’s role in curbing the epidemic.
Wendy Davis, Most Known For Her Anti-Abortion Filibuster, May Be Candidate To Run Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood’s current president, Cecile Richards, announced her plans to step down earlier this year. Former Texas state Sen. Wendy Davis sidestepped questions about if she would be tapped to take over the organization.
‘We’re All In Shock’: Glitches At Two Different Fertility Clinics On Same Day Roil Industry
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine said it plans to review both storage tank incidents with the clinics and their equipment suppliers this week. There’s no known connection between the incidents, but the episodes shine a light on vulnerabilities in the system.
Experts in the industry have been speaking out against the right-to-try movement, saying it will just set up patients for disappointment. Lawmakers are expected to vote on a House version of the bill as early as Tuesday.
Democratic lawmakers are showing little willingness to dig in over hot-button issues like immigration during such a politically charged election year, but abortion continues to be a sticking point. Meanwhile, conservative groups urge lawmakers not to include a health law “bailout” in the final spending bill.
Since the legislation took effect, the VA has fired only four senior leaders. The other 1,700 terminated people were low-level staffers with titles such as housekeeper.
Critics wonder if Idaho is negotiating with the Trump administration on a compromise closer to short-term plans. “I’m at a loss to explain Idaho’s thought process at this point,” said Eliot Fishman, senior director of health policy at the liberal Families USA. “[CMS Administrator Seema] Verma’s letter was a pretty direct and public statement. It’s not clear they have anywhere to go with this.”
While advocates argue that gun violence is woefully under-researched, some officials also say that there are clear steps that should be taken anyway. More research can help. But this is no excuse for inaction,” said Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, who was CDC director from 2009 to 2017. Meanwhile, a look at President Donald Trump’s evolving views on gun control measures.
