Latest KFF Health News Stories
Precision Cancer Treatments Show Promise But Medicines May Not Be Able To Be Created Fast Enough
Meanwhile, other news stories on the disease cover disparities in diagnosis as well as a clinical trial on a Cuban lung cancer vaccine.
New Report Lets Scientists Wrap Arms Around Scope Of Zika-Related Birth Defects
Until now, doctors hadn’t been able to pin down the actual risk of a child being born with Zika-related birth defects, but a new study shines light on the numbers.
HHS Secretary Promises Curbing High Drug Prices Is ‘Absolute Priority’
Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price tells the Senate Finance Committee that President Donald Trump asked his department for recommendations on policies that would reduce the costs of medications.
Price Defends Trump’s Budget Plan For Medicaid, Saying A Reduction In Growth Is Not A Cut
Although the Congressional Budget Office says the administration’s budget would reduce Medicaid funding by $610 billion in the next decade over current expectations, the head of the Department of Health and Human Services says you can’t consider it a cut because the amount of money would continue to grow.
Facing Unstable Market, Senators Seek Rollback Of Limits On Short-Term Health Plans
Short-term insurance plans generally don’t cover the same benefits that are required of Affordable Care Act-compliant plans, such as pre-existing conditions, prescription drugs and maternity care.
NIH To Award $1B To Young Researchers After Dropping Plan To Cap Support To Some Labs
The controversial proposal to limit the size of federal grants to individual labs raised concerns among senior scientists, so National Institutes of Health offered this compromise. Also in the news: a House panel is expected to again take up its investigation of a lab problem two years ago.
FDA Wants Painkiller Popular With Those Addicted To Opioids Removed From Market
The agency’s request to the medication’s drugmaker may signal a more aggressive approach against prescription opioids.
Abortion Language In GOP Health Plan Could Be The Achilles Heel That Brings It Down
The Senate parliamentarian flags language that would bar people from using new refundable tax credits for private insurance plans that cover abortion.
Senators Find Themselves Playing Whac-A-Mole When It Comes To Solving Health Plan Problems
Every time they think they’ve found a solution to an issue, a new one pops up. And while moderates say they’re getting closer, conservatives are pushing back against the proposed changes.
Powerful GOP Chairman Backs Insurance Subsidy Payments: Americans ‘Should Not Be Left Out To Dry’
The uncertainty surrounding the payments has created instability in the marketplace, House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady (R-Texas) says. Meanwhile, Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price dodges questions on the subsidies during a Senate committee hearing.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: The Elegance Of Practicing Medicine; The Amazon As The ‘Pharmacy Of The Future’
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Editorial writers parse these and other issues, including the role of Medicaid, how it is working and what the Republican plan would change; as well as other issues related to the future of the Affordable Care Act and efforts to curb health care spending.
Media outlets report on health-related news from California, Georgia, Massachusetts, Virginia, New York, Washington, Arizona, Missouri, Florida, Oregon, Minnesota, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Renowned Scientist With Narcolepsy: Having A Neurological Condition Can Actually Be A Boon
Biologist George Church may have narcolepsy, but he’s come to realize just how much he’s benefited from it. He thinks neurodiversity — like having autism or obsessive-compulsive disorder — can actually give people an edge in certain circumstances. In other public health news: breast cancer, lymph node removal, parenting, late-night snacks and a deadly drug in Georgia.
Mo. Governor To Convene Special Session To Address Abortion Issues
Republican Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens wants to target an ordinance approved by St. Louis aldermen in February banning employers and landlords from discriminating against women who have had an abortion.
Bill Cutting Some Of Red Tape Involved In Firing VA Employees May Be Sent To Trump By Next Week
The bill would permit the Department of Veterans Affairs secretary to remove, suspend or reprimand a senior executive with a 21-day internal grievance process.
Wisconsin Seeks Federal Approval To Add Drug Testing, Work Requirement To Medicaid
Gov. Scott Walker’s administration is asking for a federal waiver so it can implement new requirements on able-bodied, childless adults who receive Medicaid. News outlets also report on Medicaid news in Illinois and Iowa.
Once Wall Street’s Darling, Now-Bruised Valeant Tries To Recover From Missteps
The company is selling its iNova Pharmaceuticals unit for $930 million, while Chief Executive Joseph Papa reiterates that Valeant is focusing on its core, which includes dermatology, eye care and gastrointestinal care.
