Latest KFF Health News Stories
After Kicking Health Issues Down The Road, Congress Faces Day Of Reckoning
Among the issues Congress has on its docket in the last few legislative days of the year: an individual mandate repeal, CHIP funding and allocating money to fight the opioid epidemic.
First Edition: November 28, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Media outlets report on news from Ohio, Texas, Virginia, Connecticut, Minnesota and Florida.
Mysterious Bacterium Could Offer New Key Insights Into Fight Against Cancer
Scientists have discovered that a type of bacterium travels with some types of cancer as it spreads through the body, and that in those cases using an antibiotic actually slows the growth of cancer cells in mice. In other public health news: HIV guidelines, do-it-yourself gene editing kits, depression, tobacco, medical care for homeless, light therapy and more.
‘Recovery-Friendly’ Job Fair Offers Those Recovering From Opioid Addiction Another Chance
In New Hampshire, where unemployment rates are at record lows, employers struggle to find workers to fill positions. But a new effort sees a solution in one of the state’s other problems: the opioid epidemic. Also in the news, telemedicine’s role in helping curb the epidemic; what insurance companies cover in terms of opioids; the responsibility of hospitals for post-surgical patients; and more.
Notre Dame’s Reversal On Contraception Rules ‘Baffles’ Critics, But Reveals Complexities Of Issue
Catholic institutions have wrestled over how closely to adhere to their religious doctrine in the face of shifting governmental policies. In other women’s health news, a federal judge rules that a Texas law banning a common second-trimester abortion procedure is unconstitutional, and a restrictive law in Maine becomes the ACLU’s next target.
CMS’ Readmissions Policy: Are Patient Deaths The ‘Unintended Consequence’ Of This Quality Measure?
News outlets report that by linking quality scores to payments, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services may have caused some facilities and providers to avoid patients who could ultimately make them look bad.
Hospitals Worry As They Face Growing Chasm In Medicare Reimbursements
For hospitals in non-urban areas and those with large numbers of Medicare patients, the gap between their costs and the reduced federal payments is becoming a serious concern. Also, time is growing short for Medicare beneficiaries to sign up for 2018 coverage.
Companies Seek Strength In Odd-Couple Partnerships In An Industry Defined By Upheaval
More and more, health companies are broadening their security and their reach by moving beyond their traditional boundaries. In other health industry news: electronic health records, medical-device companies and the cost of ambulance rides.
146 Lawmakers Press HHS To Roll Back Nursing Home Rules
Last year, federal officials implemented the first stage of new rules to improve care that won praise from advocates for residents. But the industry has complained that the regulations go too far. Also, in Kansas, the high use of anti-psychotics among nursing home residents is raising concerns, and in one county in Maryland nursing homes are working to make Asians feel their care is culturally sensitive.
Some Question If HHS Nominee, Who Has Ties To Industry, Will Really Combat Pharma ‘Greed’
During Alex Azar’s tenure at Eli Lilly, the drugmaker instituted steep price increases on insulin and other medicines.
Some states have enough funding for a few months if Congress fails to soon renew the funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program, but others are going to run out imminently. “Everybody is still waiting and thinking Congress is going to act, and they probably will, but you can’t run a health-care program that way,” says Linda Nablo, chief deputy director at Virginia’s Department of Medical Assistance Services.
Individual Mandate Repeal May Cause Already-Struggling Rural Markets In Red States To Collapse
Republican states with one insurer offering coverage through the exchanges are particularly vulnerable to the GOP’s plan to scrap the individual mandate. In other health law news, industry groups push for repeal or delay of some ACA taxes.
Pace Of Health Law Sign-Ups Dips In Third Week, But Percentage Of New Enrollees Creeps Up
In the first three weeks of the abbreviated open enrollment period, nearly 2.28 million people signed up for a plan through the exchanges.
First Edition: November 27, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Murkowski Explains Her Opposition To Individual Mandate; Cost-Sharing Burdens
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Perspectives: Orphan Drug Tax Credit Gives People With Rare Diseases Hope. GOP Plan Could Crush That
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Nursing Home Staff Did Everything Possible To Help Patients After Hurricane, Facility Tells Congress
The letter from Florida’s Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills, which is tied to several deaths following Hurricane Irma, says that staff followed proper procedure in handling the crisis, but that they couldn’t overcome the lack of power.
Alex Azar Is Just Latest In List Of People Tied To Industry Filling Trump’s Top Health Spots
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
