Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: Fentanyl’s Role In Epidemic; HHS Conception Mission; Simple Fix For Medicare
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
The Health Debate: Congress’ Waiting Game Didn’t Pay Off; Medicare For All’s Timetable
Opinion writers examine aspects of the health reform debate.
Longer Looks: An Obamacare Nightmare; A Pain Empire & Predicting Pandemics
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets report on news from Massachusetts, California, Pennsylvania, Texas, Puerto Rico, Maryland, Colorado, Minnesota and Florida.
Despite Hospitals’ Eagerness For Mergers, It’s Not Always Good For Consumer Care
Chicago-area hospitals are joining forces but what effect will it have for patients? Meanwhile, a new Massachusetts health bill would pit large hospitals in the state against smaller ones.
Scientists Able To Alter Single Letter In DNA Sequence With New Gene-Editing Technique
It might not sound impressive, but tens of thousands of human diseases can be traced back to a mistake with just one letter in the DNA. In other public health news: more from Reuters in its series on selling dead bodies; the legacy of abuse toward minorities in health studies; gun safety; cholesterol; arsenic; and more.
There’s not one factor that experts can point fingers at–rather it’s a host of issues, including bias from doctors and less care in early trimesters.
To Help Curb Opioid Crisis, FDA Head Wants To Promote Medication-Assisted Treatment
The FDA will issue guidance for development of new MAT options, promote efforts to decrease the stigma surrounding medication used to treat substance abuse disorders, and take further steps to promote the use of existing therapies, Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said. Meanwhile, lawmakers want the DEA to take on more authority to help fight the epidemic.
Advisory Committee Comes Down In Favor Of GSK’s Shingles Vaccine Over Older, Less Effective One
Meanwhile, recent mumps outbreaks have prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to recommend that people at risk get a third dose of the vaccine.
Lawmakers Introduce Legislation To Allow Medicare To Negotiate Drug Prices
PhRMA is already pushing back on the measure saying it would let the government decide what medicines patients can get. In other news, an advocacy group is challenging Gilead’s patents on the hepatitis C drug Sovaldi.
Inaction Over CHIP Funding Worries Experts: ‘States Are Really Walking On A Tightrope’
A new study looks at how states will be affected by Congress’ delay renewing funding for CHIP.
Forget Congress: CMS Chief To Take Medicaid Overhaul Into Her Own Hands
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Director Seema Verma wants to give states a “unprecedented level of flexibility.” Outlets offer other Medicaid news out of New Mexico, New Hampshire and Wisconsin.
Undocumented Girl Gets Abortion Following Intensely Watched Court Case
The case — at the crossroads of two hot-button topics: abortion and immigration — captured the attention of the country. The girl was able to obtain the procedure after a full appeals court overturned an earlier decision by a panel of three judges.
Trump To Officially Declare U.S. Opioid Epidemic A Public Health Emergency
President Donald Trump will direct the Department of Health and Human Services to declare a nationwide public health emergency under the Public Health Service Act. The declaration is not expected to come with specific funding.
Alexander-Murray Bill Would Reduce Deficit By Nearly $4B, Have Little Effect On Number Of Insured
The projections from the Congressional Budget Office bolster the bill’s chances, said authors Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.). But President Donald Trump has sent mixed messages about the legislation, and Republican leaders are waiting to move on the measure until the president says he favors it. Meanwhile, House Speaker Paul Ryan said that health care is something that should be looked at next year, instead of in the remaining months of this one.
The window shopping period for open enrollment kicked off Wednesday on healthcare.gov. While many consumers will find high premium increases for 2018, there are cheaper coverage options too. Meanwhile, the Trump administration says it will not release a projection for how many people it expects to sign up for coverage. Enrollment begins Nov. 1.
Judge Rules Against States In Insurer Subsidies Case, Saying They’ve Found Good Workarounds
“The emergency relief sought by the states would be counterproductive,” U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria said in the ruling. “State regulators have been working for months to prepare for the termination of these payments.”
First Edition: October 26, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Judge Rules Against Bid By 18 State A.G.s To Block Trump’s Order To End Some ACA Subsidies
The subsidies in question are those made to insurers under the Affordable Care Act to hold down the out-of-pocket costs of some lower-income people. President Donald Trump announced Oct. 12 that he would stop these payments.
Viewpoints: Take Another Look At Opioid ‘Conspiracy;’ Qualities HHS Secretary Needs
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
