Latest KFF Health News Stories
Perspectives: Expensive Cancer Drugs May Finally Be In For A Little Competition
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Author Of New Drug Transparency Law Hopes Rest Of Country Will Follow In California’s Footsteps
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Media outlets report on news from Illinois, New Hampshire, Oregon, California, Louisiana, Ohio, Wisconsin and Georgia.
Missouri Abortion Restrictions Challenged In Court By Planned Parenthood And ACLU
The groups argue that the requirements of the new state law are medically unnecessary and limit access to safe and legal reproductive services. Meanwhile, another American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit centers around a legal dispute over whether unaccompanied immigrant minors have the right to an abortion in the U.S.
Federal Officials Approve W.Va.’s Plan To Expand Medicaid Coverage For Drug Treatment
West Virginia officials say Medicaid will begin paying for about a 30-day stay at a residential drug treatment center, as well as methadone treatment and the overdose reversal drug naloxone.
Melania Trump met with staff members and former clients of a clinic that helps children born with addiction. It’s unclear how the first lady will be able to help those on the ground fighting the epidemic, though. Meanwhile, Democrats push for a rule to require testing for transportation workers.
For Leading Doctors’ Group There’s No Gray Area: Guns Kill People And Are A Public Health Threat
“Guns do not make individuals, their families, or homes safer and they result in far more deaths to loved ones than to an intruder intending to cause harm,” Dr. Howard Bauchner, editor in chief of the influential Journal of the American Medical Association wrote. In other public health news: obesity rates in children, epidurals, social media and young people, fertility and more.
What Do Lawmakers Do When They Need Prescriptions Filled? They Don’t Walk Into The Nearest CVS
It’s a little-known perk, but lawmakers have their pills delivered directly to the Capitol, so they can just walk down and pick them up. That also means the pharmacist in charge of filling the prescriptions knows a lot more about the leaders of the country than most pharmacists know about their customers.
Rep. Walden Delays House Vote On Children’s Insurance To Seek Compromise With Democrats
Funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program expired last month. Although both parties support the program, they are divided about how to pay for it in this bill.
Trump’s Birth Control Mandate Not Scientifically Sound, Researchers And Doctors Say
The rules provide moral and religious exemptions to a requirement that employers provide coverage plans that include contraception.
Gottlieb Says He Can Be Most Effective At FDA, But Dodges Question On Nomination Talks
“I feel like I want to continue to follow through on the policies we’ve put out and it’s where I think I can be most effective,” said Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, whose name has been floated as a replacement for former Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump names an acting secretary for the agency.
Federal Officials Weigh Iowa’s Request To Revamp Insurance Enrollment System
Iowa is seeking to move out of the federal marketplace system and set up a state-run exchange instead. State officials say that would help lower premiums, but that could come with higher out-of-pocket costs for consumers. News outlets also report on enrollment issues in Florida and Kansas.
Trump’s Health Care Executive Order Expected This Week, But What Will It Really Do?
Media outlets examine what’s expected in the administration’s proposal to allow for association plans, which may give small employers and individuals the ability to secure the same kind of benefits and lower prices that large employers have been able to get.
First Edition: October 11, 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 California, Ohio, Colorado, Virginia, Oregon, Minnesota, New Jersey, Texas and North Carolina.
Thousands Of Conn. Seniors, Disabled May Lose Help Paying For Medicare Under Budget Proposal
“For my folks, if they wind up losing this … it could make the difference between getting a prescription or having food on the table,” says lawyer Kevin Brophy.
Democratic Candidates Looking To Unseat Wis. Governor Vow To Expand Medicaid If They Win
Meanwhile, Gov. Scott Walker says doing so would send the state back into a recession.
Lack Of Mental Health Services Blamed For Disparity In Suicide Rates Between Rural, Urban Areas
Although the rates have been increasing all across the country, researchers found that rural areas are hit particularly hard. In other public health news: blood pressure, surgery scars, autism and smoke exposure.
Saline Shortage Looms After Hurricane Disrupts Production In Puerto Rico
Hospitals and others in the health industry are watching the aftermath of the hurricane with worried eyes because Puerto Rico is a hub of manufacturing for pharmaceuticals.
