Latest KFF Health News Stories
Apple Adding Feature To Allow Users To Store Medical Records On iPhones
It’s the latest move that shows Apple has its eye on the profitable health care landscape.
Cecile Richards, The Face Of Planned Parenthood For More Than 10 Years, Expected To Step Down
In her role as president of Planned Parenthood, Cecile Richards saw the organization through some tumultuous years, including guiding it through a scandal involving activist videos that purported to show organization officials discussing sales of fetal tissue.
Under Idaho’s guidelines, insurers can offer plans that deny coverage for pre-existing conditions for up to 12 months unless the customer had continuous prior coverage. And insurers would no longer be required to cover pediatric dental or vision care, and though they would have to offer at least one plan with maternity and newborn coverage, other plans could exclude those benefits.
Young Adults More Likely To Move Off Medicaid Than Older People
The report by Avalere suggests the exits could be the result of these young people gaining employer-sponsored insurance or their incomes increasing, making them ineligible. In other Medicaid news, Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback says his managed care program is being scrapped, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott asks for federal funding for family planning services to be restored and a vendor in Connecticut fails to show up for a state hearing on transportation issues.
Kentucky Medicaid Enrollees Sue To Stop First-In-Nation Work Requirements
Republican Gov. Matt Bevin has already issued the ultimatum that if the court touches the requirements, he’ll roll back the Medicaid expansion entirely.
Senate Approves Trump’s HHS Pick Despite Critics’ Qualms About Azar’s Ties To Pharma Industry
Alex Azar will take the helm of the Department of Health and Human Services after the Senate confirmed his nomination 53-43. Azar, who is replacing former Secretary Tom Price who resigned over ethical questions about his travel, is expected to make lowering drug prices one of his top priorities.
First Edition: January 25, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Funding CHIP Is ‘Only Half The Job’; Scientists And The Fear Of Crispr
A selection of opinions on health care issues from around the country.
Perspectives: Price Controls Cripple Our Chances At Creating Innovative Drugs
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Media outlets report on news from Georgia, California, Missouri, Wisconsin, California, New York, Texas, Florida and Minnesota.
N.J. Governor Eases Regulations On Medical Marijuana
Gov. Philip D. Murphy criticized predecessor Chris Christie’s tight restrictions before signing an executive order to expand access to the drug. “The system we have inherited can best be described as medical marijuana in name only,” said Murphy, who campaigned on the issue. News on marijuana comes out of Vermont, California, Texas and Wyoming as well.
Comprehensive Study On E-Cigarettes Touts Benefits To Smokers, Warns Of Dangers To Teens
The topic of whether e-cigarettes are a stepping stone to cigarettes has been hotly debated over recent years. In other public health news: PTSD, obesity, smartphones, and mental health.
‘It’s Time For Big Pharma To Pay For What They’ve Done’: NYC Mayor Sues Companies Over Opioid Crisis
Mayor Bill de Blasio is just the latest state official to try to fight the epidemic through the court system.
Drugmakers Have ‘Tremendous Potential’ In War Against Superbugs, But They’re Not Doing Enough
A new report finds that those in the pharmaceutical industry are making progress in the fight against superbugs, but “every company can do more.”
Hospital, Physician Groups Wary But Curious About CMS’ Bundled-Pay Model
Under the initiative, organizations enter into payment arrangements that include financial and performance accountability for episodes of care.
Activist Shareholders Granted More Power As Tenet Changes Its Bylaws
The county’s third-largest investor-owned hospital company is allowing its shareholders to call meetings. The move is part of a broader trend in the industry to give more control to shareholders.
Working Americans Are Using Less Health Care And Yet Paying Significantly More, Report Finds
In many other businesses, declining demand would cause prices to drop, but that “common sense” doesn’t always apply to health care, says Niall Brennan, president of Health Care Cost Institute, which released the report.
Families Who Depend On Health Law Look Back At Roller Coaster Of A Year
For some, 2017 meant constantly having the news turned on in different parts of the house just to make sure they didn’t miss any developments on the health care debate. “It was a stressful time. It was, is this going to be bill that kills the ACA, and what will that mean for the people who live and work here in Kansas City?” said Jerry Jones, executive director of the Community Health Council of Wyandotte County.
In Oregon, Voter Referendum Backs Taxes To Pay For State’s Medicaid Program
In an unusual special election, Oregon voters have approved health care taxes on Oregon’s largest hospitals and many health insurance policies that will raise between $210 million and $320 million in revenue over two years.
