Latest KFF Health News Stories
Spiking Premiums In Volatile Marketplace Give Ammunition To Both Democrats, Republicans
Insurers all over the country are seeking increases averaging about 20 percent. While the GOP says rates have been trending this way for years, Democrats counter that the prices are high because Republican lawmakers and the Trump White House have destabilized the marketplace.
Price Dodges When Asked If GOP’s Health Plan Is ‘Mean’
“It’s not a yes or no answer,” Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price says. Meanwhile, Republicans on Capitol Hill downplay the reports that the president called the House-passed bill just that.
It’s Looking Less Likely That Republicans Will Hit Ambitious End-Of-June Deadline For Health Bill
Even if they resolve their biggest policy disagreements, senators still have to write the rest of the bill, send the full text to the Congressional Budget Office, await the agency’s score and keep 50 Republicans together through a lengthy series of procedural votes.
Democrats, as to be expected, are on the attack over the way Republicans are crafting the health law replacement legislation in secrecy, but even some GOP lawmakers are voicing concerns. Meanwhile, conservatives start to raise red flags about the measure’s failure to curb spending.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Hearing About Hearing Aid Costs; The FDA’s Fear And Loathing Of Off-Label Communications
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Opinion writers take a hard look at ongoing issues to undo the Affordable Care Act and make system changes regarding Medicaid, Medicare and the individual health insurance market.
Longer Looks: Prescription Heroin; Smartphone Psychiatry; And Obamacare Repeal
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets report on health-related news from New Hampshire, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Florida, California, Texas, Kentucky, Georgia and Colorado.
Missouri Senate OKs Abortion Bill Amidst Dueling Rallies By Supporters And Opponents
The state legislation would nullify a city ordinance in St. Louis that prohibits housing and employment discrimination based on “reproductive health decisions,” such as abortion or pregnancy. The bill now goes to the Missouri House. Elsewhere, a Iowa council considers a controversial measure to bar abortion providers from state-financed family planning efforts.
Public Health Roundup: Conjoined Twins; A Shot For Incontinence; And Home Health Care For Seniors
Also in the news: a tool to detect Parkinson’s, transgender talk and salt caves as the new health trend.
Watchdog Agency Asked To Investigate ‘Serious Ethical Lapses’ In Preemie Study
Researchers who tested oxygen levels delivered to premature infants have long faced questions over whether the work was ethically and accurately performed.
State AGs To Investigate Drugmakers’ Marketing Of Prescription Painkillers
The probe is the latest effort in a growing trend to address the epidemic through the courts. In other news, the crisis is undermining the battle against HIV, women are being prescribed too many opioids after c-sections and Massachusetts’ high court rules on a needle-exchange case.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Nick Lyon and four other state officials face involuntary manslaughter charges stemming from the government’s failure to alert the majority-black population about Legionnaires’ disease in the Flint area. That outbreak is linked to the city’s lead-contaminated water and caused the death of an 85-year-old man.
Veterans’ Choice Program Facing Surprise $1B Shortfall
“If there is no action at all by Congress, then the Choice program will dry up by mid-August,” VA Secretary David Shulkin said while asking the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee for help.
Proposal Requiring Manufacturers To Include Retail Prices In Drug Ads Approved By AMA
The group hopes the measure will push federal regulatory agencies to enact such pricing disclosures, but critics say it’s unlikely under a Republican administration. In other news, the pharmaceutical industry eyes genetic analysis as a method for improving drug treatments.
Advocates Hope Effects Of Kansas’ Austere Cuts Serve As ‘Canary In Coal Mine’ For Rest Of Country
In what Republican Gov. Sam Brownback deemed a “real-live experiment,” Kansas championed a plan of deep tax cuts and severe spending cuts, and at the same time rejected Medicaid expansion. The Washington Post looks at those results.
ACA Rate Hikes In Michigan Could Reach Record Levels Depending On Future Of Insurer Subsidies
If Republicans opt to defund the subsidies, Michigan residents buying coverage through the exchanges could face a 31 percent increase. Media outlets report on news in the marketplaces of Connecticut and Ohio as well.
Senate GOP Walking Tightrope With Abortion, Planned Parenthood Language In Health Plan
The Senate parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, won’t make an official ruling until she is given specific language on the provisions, but they could threaten the future of the entire bill. However, dropping the language could result in loss of support among conservative lawmakers.
Divided And Shunted To The Sidelines, Insurance Industry Loses Voice In Health Care Debate
Some insurers have decided a low-key role is best, but others are frustrated that their concerns aren’t being heard. In other news, outlets look at what consumers could expect to pay under the Republicans’ health care plan, the effect it would have on jobs and the amount of support the legislation has in Missouri and Kansas.
