Latest KFF Health News Stories
‘Change Is Coming’: HHS Secretary Maps Out Blueprint To Lower Health Care Costs
The Trump administration will make it easier for patients to access their health records, encourage health providers to be more transparent about the costs of procedures and services and remove regulations that “impede” innovation, HHS Secretary Alex Azar told industry officials.
The Center for American Progress’ plan keeps insurers and employer-based coverage in the mix. Even though the proposal is not as all-encompassing as his, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) says it shows Democrats are moving in the right direction.
Arkansas’ Work Mandate Request Approved, But Government Stalls On Rolling Back Expansion
Arkansas joins Kentucky and Indiana as the third state to get the federal OK to impose work requirements on Medicaid recipients. But the state’s second proposal, which would lower the Medicaid eligibility cap from 138 percent of the federal poverty level to 100 percent, hasn’t been approved yet.
New Hampshire Moves To Ban Practice That Can Lead To Astronomical Surprise Hospitals Bills
The practice of “balance billing” involves hidden fees added by in-network hospitals quietly employing out-of-network specialists. The insurance company picks up the tab for the in-network services, then the hospital, facing an unpaid balance from the out-of-network care, passes on the remainder to the customer.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Junk Insurance Can Harm Your Health, Finances; Time To Reexamine Mental Health Laws
Editorial pages highlight these and other health topics.
Opinion pages focus on healthy policies regarding the opioid epidemic.
Media outlets report on news from New York, Iowa, Puerto Rico, Georgia, Texas, Florida, Minnesota, Vermont, Maryland, Kentucky, Ohio, and Seattle.
An Exercise Pill? Scientists Trying To ‘Game The System’ For Those With Limited Physical Options
Researchers are working to create a pill that could trigger the body into mimicking the positive effects of working out to help benefit post-op patients, those with muscle-related diseases and others.
Home Care Industry Worried About Immigration Policies Even For Workers In Country Legally
About a quarter of the nearly three million people who work in the home health care industry are immigrants. And some of the administration’s stances could negatively effect the pipeline for that workforce.
In Largest-Ever Midterm Campaign, Planned Parenthood To Sink $20M Into Races
The Planned Parenthood Action Fund will initially target races in Arizona, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, though that roster could change as the election cycle evolves. Meanwhile, in other women’s health news, the Washington state Legislature has voted to require insurers to cover abortions and birth control.
Modern Healthcare takes a deep dive into artificial intelligence’s role in the health care landscape and what the future holds.
Vets With PTSD Face Bias From Navy Board That Oversees Discharge Upgrade Requests, Lawsuit Claims
The case is the latest in a series of lawsuits by the university’s Veterans Legal Services Clinic, seeking recognition that vast numbers of veterans have been improperly discharged and denied the benefits that were meant to help them re-enter society.
Virginia Governor Issues Gentle Ultimatum As Medicaid Expansion Debate Continues To Roil Legislature
Gov. Ralph Northam (D) said that if he gets a budget that doesn’t include expansion of Medicaid, he’ll be forced to add an amendment, which may not include some of the compromises he’s already worked out with lawmakers. Media outlets report on Medicaid news out of New Hampshire, Iowa and Louisiana.
Without Threat Of Tax Penalty, Nearly 20 Percent Of Californians Will Drop Coverage, Study Projects
California would continue to have a stable market partly because so many people in the exchange have their premiums paid or partly paid through subsidies, or premium tax credits, said Covered California Executive Director Peter Lee. But premiums will most likely go up.
Self-Neglect Accounts For More Calls To Social Services Than Any Other Form Of Elder Abuse
But intervening in those cases can be tricky for a nation that values independence. “If someone has decision-making capacity, do they have the right to live in squalor?” asked Dr. XinQi Dong, a researcher at the Rush Institute for Healthy Aging in Chicago. In other public health news, seat belts, sexting, stress, kidney disease and uterine transplants.
“What was really striking to me is just how sick these kids are and that almost half of them end up in the ICU,” said Dr. Jason Kane, a lead author on the new study. Meanwhile, NPR takes a look at the paradox of heightened pain sensitivity with opioid use. And media outlets report on news of the crisis out of Tennessee, Connecticut, Florida, Oklahoma and New Hampshire.
Researchers Throw Cold Water On Optimism Over Universal Flu Vaccine
Despite a recent push for a more effective vaccine, scientists say we’re not really there yet. In fact, we’re not even close. Meanwhile, the CDC has declared that this nasty season has peaked, but public health officials warn that flu activity is still high and widespread.
The damage the type of weapons inflict on the human body is “ghastly,” trauma surgeons say. Meanwhile, following the Parkland, Fla. shooting and more focus on the country’s mental health services, Congress mulls a bill to create a three-digit suicide hotline.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
