Latest KFF Health News Stories
Some GOP Officials May Move Toward Medicaid Expansion Now That Work Requirements Are Allowed
The decision by the Trump administration to allow states to implement work requirements for non-disabled adults enrolled in Medicaid may help some conservatives agree to expand the program. In other Medicaid news, a top federal official is leaving the government, New York plans to allow Dreamers to stay in the program, Democratic lawmakers in Virginia back down from a confrontation, a report finds problems in oversight in Illinois and Kansas considers a rule change.
Seven Democratic Senators Buck Party Lines To Help Advance HHS Nominee Alex Azar
The Senate is poised to take up Alex Azar’s nomination this week. Democrats have aired their concerns about the nominee’s ties to the pharmaceutical industry, but it is likely that he’ll easily secure the needed votes to take up the reins of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Public Health Agencies Left ‘Treading Water’ With Each Short-Term Spending Plan From Congress
At all levels of the government — local, state and federal — agencies are left “in suspended animation” as Congress prolongs the funding debate. Meanwhile, as advocates of the Children’s Health Insurance Program breathe a sigh of relief over their extension, community health clinics are still on edge.
Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) noted that the current flu situation, while harsher than in some previous years, “doesn’t come close to pandemic.” Media outlets report on the virus out of the Washington, D.C. area, North Carolina, Ohio and California.
First Edition: January 24, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: A Path To Treating Opioid Abuse; The Hazards Of Right-To-Try Laws
Opinion writers from around the country weigh in on a range of health care issues.
Editorial pages feature thoughts on these topics as well as perspectives on state developments regarding Medicaid eligibility and expansion.
Media outlets report on news from Vermont, Florida, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Georgia, Maryland and Michigan.
Ultrasounds Are Next Up On Minn. Anti-Abortion Group’s Agenda
Abortion rights groups, however, say any legislation requiring centers to ask if women want to see their ultrasounds would be redundant. “Doctors ought to be giving their patients all the information they can to make an informed decision, and we assume that’s happening,” said Andrea Ledger, the executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota.
New Day, New Take: Epic Gets Thumbs Up In Minneapolis for Innovation
After adding to a barrage of criticism levied at the electronic health record company, Fairview Health Services alters its stance and says “they are uniquely positioned to support collaboration for innovation in healthcare.”
You’re More Likely To Die In The Hospital Over The Weekend, And Doctors Don’t Really Know Why
There is speculation, though, that people who come in during off-hours are inherently sicker than those who come in during business hours. In other public health news: the psychological damage from sexual harassment, trees and depression, the Tide Pod challenge, screen time, asthma and more.
Officials Had Hoped Flu Was Peaking But Number Of Cases Is Still Climbing
This season isn’t as severe as 2014-2015, but the transmission is at its worst since the 2009 pandemic.
Former Democratic Rep. Patrick Kennedy, who serves on the president’s bipartisan opioid commission, criticizes Washington’s unwillingness to put money behind the efforts to fight the crisis: “You can’t expect to stem the tide of a public health crisis that is claiming over 64,000 lives per year without putting your money where your mouth is.”
Only Select Number Of Doctors To Get Pay Increase Through Medicare Performance Program
Instead, the “overwhelming majority” will see a neutral pay bump.
Kan. Lawmaker Says Governor Weighing Changes To Restrictions On Medicaid
The chairman of the Kansas House Health Committee, who has been negotiating with officials from Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration on Medicaid, says there are signs of compromise over plans for the managed care system. In other Medicaid news, Oregon voters today make decisions on funding, and the plan by Louisiana’s governor to cut services if new taxes aren’t accepted could have wide impact.
Drugmakers Hope To Give Peace Of Mind To People With Peanut Allergies — And Rack Up Big Bucks
There are two new treatments on the horizon that could desensitize people with peanut allergies so that they don’t have severe reactions if they’re accidentally exposed to a nut. Even though it’s not a cure, experts predict the drugmakers could pull in $1 billion annually.
In Field Where Patient Care Comes First, Hospitals Try To Take Steps To Protect Doctors From Racism
Some institutions are adopting language into their guidelines that says patient requests for providers based on gender, race, ethnicity or sexual orientation won’t be honored.
Steady Enrollment Numbers In The States Cloak Underlying Turbulence In Marketplace
On the surface it looks like there wasn’t much change surrounding the exchanges, as the numbers come in about the same as last year. But that doesn’t account for the fact that there’s been a lot of shake-up in how people are paying for coverage and who is in the marketplace.
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who worked with Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) on the legislation, says she’s made progress in overcoming the House’s resistance to what conservative lawmakers see as a bailout for Obamacare.
CHIP Extended For Six Years In Senate Deal That Ends Government Shutdown
President Donald Trump signed the measure, which includes funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program and a delay of some health law taxes. Other health issues, like what to do about funding for community health centers, weren’t touched in the deal to keep the government running through Feb. 8.
