Latest KFF Health News Stories
Tom Price’s Use Of Military Planes Pushes Cost Of Taxpayer-Funded Travel To Over $1M Since May
Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price says he will personally pay back his share of the $500,000 spent on chartered jets for his trips, which tallies $51,887.31. New reports find Price also used military flights to Europe costing an additional $500,000.
First Edition: September 29, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Tom Price To Personally Pay Back $52K In His Share Of Private Jet Travel Cost
In his statement, Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price says, “I will take no more private charter flights as Secretary of HHS. No exceptions.” The announcement comes as Price’s use of a private planes — costing taxpayers more than $400,000 since May — has reportedly upset President Donald Trump and prompted a House Oversight Committee inquiry.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Tough Talk: ‘The Price’ Not Right For HHS Secretary; He Should Have To Repay Taxpayers These Funds
Opinion writers take a harsh look at the expenses Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price has racked up by flying chartered, rather than commercial, flights. But former HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt offers a defense.
Editorial pages continue parsing what happened earlier this week in the Senate when Graham-Cassidy, the most recent GOP repeal-and-replace legislation, failed to garner enough votes for Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to bring it to the floor for a vote.
Longer Looks: The Future Of Repeal; Medical Marijuana & Lady Gaga
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets report on news from California, Florida, Massachusetts, Iowa, Tennessee, Minnesota, Texas, Colorado and Michigan.
Rural Hospital Ills Reflect Economic Troubles In Small Town USA
In other hospital-related news, an industry lawsuit becomes a stumbling block in Connecticut’s efforts to adopt a state budget; Brigham and Women’s struggle to control costs; and how a children’s hospital is focused on lowering the risk of HIV among young sexual assault victims.
Unsafe Abortions Persist Even In Developed Countries, Report Finds
A team led by researchers at the World Health Organization and the Guttmacher Institute looked at data from 61 countries and found that the places where abortions are safest are also where they are most rare.
Quick, Low-Cost Dipstick Test For Dengue And Zika Could Help Diagnose And Track Outbreaks
“You can go from a sample to an answer within about 15 minutes,” says one of the authors of the test. In today’s other public health news: food safety violations, the link between exercise and willpower, autism and health issues of women refugees.
‘Given The Scope Of This Crisis,’ PhRMA CEO Backs Guidelines Limiting Opioid Prescriptions
The move follows efforts by pharmacy benefit managers to restrict the supply of opioids to first-time users. The decision is creating some backlash for patients with chronic pain who are worried they can no longer get the treatment they and their doctors feel they need.
Mass. Officials Ask For Federal Permission To Trim Medicaid Rolls And Expenses
The state, facing a budget crunch on the program, is asking to move childless, non-disabled adults with incomes above the federal poverty level into insurance plans on the Affordable Care Act’s marketplace. In other news, Montana officials say the Medicaid expansion is saving some correction department expenses, and Kansas finalizes a new system for Medicaid enrollment.
Despite Recent $2.1B Boost, VA Choice Program May Need More Funding By December
But the House Veterans Affairs Committee was already anticipating that the emergency funding approved in August may not last the full six months.
With Deadlines Looming, Congress Tardy On Funding For Children’s Insurance, Health Centers
The legislative process is lagging on renewing funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program and community health centers. Meanwhile, congressional Democrats warn that the GOP tax plan could lead to cuts in Medicare and Medicaid.
Murkowski, Who Has Emerged As Key Player In Health Debates, Says Any Fixes Must Be Bipartisan
Senators are turning their attention back to stabilizing the marketplace following the collapse of their latest repeal-and-replace efforts.
With Repeal Effort Stymied, Sen. Johnson Opens Probe Of Medicaid Expansion Costs In 8 States
The investigation signals that congressional Republicans may turn from efforts to repeal the health law and seek other ways to corral health spending. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) says he wants to know if states got Medicaid funding by wrongly signing up people as expansion enrollees.
In Face Of Skepticism, Republicans Vows Repeal Will Happen By 2019
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump remains optimistic that there will be movement in the next few months. “[In] the meantime, I have that little period of time, I’ll negotiate with the Democrats if we can come up with a fantastic health care bill, that’s okay with me. Good for both parties. Bipartisan,” the president says.
After Months Of Hand-Wringing, Insurers’ Deadline To Lock Into Marketplace Passes Without Dramatics
But the final decisions of some insurers hadn’t been disclosed as of Wednesday evening, so there is still a risk that companies might make 11th-hour pullbacks. Meanwhile, Stat offers a guide to the upcoming enrollment season, Democrats call for an investigation into the administration’s decision to shut down healthcare.gov on Sundays for maintenance and more.
Trump Promises Order To Allow Insurers To Sell Across State Lines — But That Option Already Exists
Several states have tried it, and it’s been a bust.
