Latest KFF Health News Stories
Media outlets report on news from Illinois, Ohio, California, Maryland, Florida, Texas, Massachusetts, Washington and Pennsylvania.
Failure Of Once-Promising Cancer Immunotherapy Underscores Questions Facing Field
Today’s other public health stories cover news about aid-in-dying laws, HIV, whooping cough, gene editing, birth control access, the health benefits of dirt, colon cancer and hearing loss.
Scientists Look To Slug Slime To Develop New Generation Of Surgical Adhesive
The slug’s “defensive mucus turns out to be very sticky and also very strong and highly stretchable,” says Jianyu Li, a materials scientist with Harvard’s Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering. “That kind of inspired us.”
Researchers Counter Age-Old Message On Antibiotics
An analysis published in BMJ questions the idea that failing to complete a course of antibiotics contributes to the rise of antibiotic resistance.
United Therapeutics Sets Aside $210M For Possible Justice Department Settlement
The drugmaker’s contributions to patient-assistance charity groups are under federal investigation. In other biotech news, bioAffinity raises $4 million to bring its lung cancer test to market and prosecutors deliver closing arguments in the case against Martin Shkreli.
CMS To Cut Billions In Aid To Hospitals That Care For Nation’s Most Vulnerable Populations
The cuts, which are focused on what’s known as disproportionate-share hospital funds meant to help hospitals with uncompensated care costs, were supposed to start in 2014 under the Affordable Care Act but have been delayed. The reductions were put in place because the ACA’s coverage expansions were expected to reduce the demand for such charity care. But many institutions face tabs for uncompensated care that exceed those projections.
Lawmakers Reach New Bipartisan Agreement On VA Choice Program After Original Plan Falls Apart
The compromise plan sets aside $2.1 billion over six months to continue funding the Choice program, and would also devote $1.8 billion to authorize 28 leases for new VA medical facilities and establish programs to make it easier to hire health specialists. Meanwhile, the House passed a spending bill that includes funding for the VA.
Insurers Heave Sigh Of Relief As ‘Skinny Plan’ Crumbles, But Worry Over Future Remains
They say Congress’ attention must shift toward stabilizing the marketplace for 2018.
‘For Us This Is Not A Game’: Americans Have Whiplash From Watching Health Debate Play Out
“For months it’s been: ‘Here’s a bill, we’ll vote. No, we won’t. Now it will change. Maybe not. Will that one person vote or not?’” says Meghan Borland from Pleasant Valley, N.Y. The concern over the uncertainty on health care coverage is rippling across the country.
Not Even McConnell’s Legendary Political Skills Could Unite Fractured Party
After the “no” vote by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) stood still and silent on the Senate floor as the ramifications of what had just transpired sunk in.
‘It’s Time To Move On’: A Look At What’s Next After GOP’s Health Care Defeat
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) seemed to admit defeat in passing a Republican-only health proposal after his shocking defeat in shepherding legislation through the chamber.
Backlash Toward Female Senators Blocking Bills Turns Heated
More than one lawmaker suggested physical reprimands for any of the senators who stood in the way of the bill passing, namely Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine.
McCain’s Maverick Moment Caps Off Hill’s Dramatic Health Care Battle
When Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) swooped back into town after being diagnosed with brain cancer, he was hailed as “an American hero” by the president. With a simple thumbs down vote in the early hours of Friday morning, though, he went against his party and helped kill Republicans’ chance to fulfill seven years of promises. Media outlets look at what went down on Capitol Hill.
McCain Rejects ‘Skinny Plan’ And Helps Derail GOP’s Repeal Efforts In Stunning Late-Night Vote
The so-called “skinny plan” kept most of the Affordable Care Act in place, only rolling back some provisions that were unpopular with Republicans. But experts warned it would send premiums skyrocketing and bring about the collapse of the individual market.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Patients Should Know If A Doctor Is On Probation; Keep FDA’s Powers Strong
Here’s a review of editorials and opinions on a range of public health issues.
When Policies Get Thin: Critiques On The Senate GOP’s Next Big Idea — A ‘Skinny” Repeal
Opinion writers offer strong warnings about the problems with the skinny repeal — both in terms of using it as a strategy to advance Republican health reforms and as a policy construct that threatens to damage the individual health insurance market. One voice, however, sees it as the GOP’s chance to eliminate the despised individual mandate.
Editorial pages across the country include a variety of thoughts on what is happening in Washington to the Affordable Care Act.
Longer Looks: Immigrants And Obamacare; Surprise ER Bills & Canada’s ‘Killer Nurse’
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets report on news from Texas, Massachusetts, California, Maryland and Florida.
