Latest KFF Health News Stories
A Lonely Fight: This Republican Has Ideas On NIH Spending, But Not Many Like-Minded Allies
Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.) wants to shake up the agency by cutting indirect costs and using the savings to fund thousands of research projects instead. Meanwhile, scientists are wary of proposed federal funding caps for grants to individual labs.
Sources: Collins Bragged About How Much Money Other Members Have Made From His Stock Tip
Two Republican lawmakers talked to The Hill about the Rep. Chris Collins (R-N.Y.) conversations over stocks in an Australia-based pharmaceutical company.
HHS Chief Of Staff Last Year Lobbied Very Agency He Now Helps Run, Ethics Waivers Reveal
Lance Leggitt helped collect $400,000 in fees last year while working as a lobbyist to try to influence Medicare policy at the Department of Health and Human Services.
Insurers Pulling Out Or Raising Rates As Feds Give Few Clues About Plans For Health Law
Uncertainty about the Trump administration’s plans for the cost-sharing subsidies is “the big elephant in the room,” says one actuary, and is creating problems for insurers. Also, reports on marketplace news in Connecticut, Georgia and New York, as well as a look at Anthem’s strategy and the future of the individual insurance market.
Trump Promotes ACA ‘Death Spiral,’ But Increasing Fragility Of Marketplace Is Still His Problem
Some White House advisers worry that if President Donald Trump lets the marketplaces completely collapse that Republicans are at risk of being blamed. During an event in Ohio though, Trump placed that burden on Democrats’ shoulders: “We’re having no help; it’s only obstruction from the Democrats. The Democrats are destroying health care in this country.”
GOP Wooed Conservatives In House, But Senate Compromises Are Favoring Moderates
Leadership has little room for error in their strategy to secure enough votes. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) may favor keeping coverage protections for people with preexisting conditions, an aide says.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Medicaid As The GOP’s Divider; A Status Check On Republicans’ Commitment To Repeal
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Perspectives: Drug Coupons Are Nothing But A Sneaky Marketing Ploy
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Health Law Debate Deflects The Heat Away From Pharma
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Media outlets report on health-related news from California, Ohio, Wisconsin, Kansas, Pennsylvania and Florida.
State Lawmakers Contemplate Abortion Measures, Range Of Other Health-Related Proposals
Delaware approves legislation to protect abortion rights while Texas’ governor included an anti-abortion bill on his special-session wishlist. Meanwhile, an Ohio measure would keep mentally ill people off of death row and Colorado approves PTSD as a qualifying condition for the use of medical marijuana. News outlets also report on additional stated-based developments.
In Face Of Growing ‘Nightmare Bacteria’ Threat, WHO Revises Advice For Last-Resort Drug Use
The health organization is trying to counter the growing resistance humans have to antibiotics, which has created a world in which even the most minor of infections and illnesses can quickly turn deadly and in which diseases once thought conquered are becoming untreatable in more and more cases. In other public health news: chronic pain and dementia, what makes oncologists excited, and Legionnaires’ disease.
Even In Moderation, Drinking Alcohol Has Lasting, Negative Effect On The Brain
The researchers found that moderate drinking over those 30-plus years was associated with degeneration and shrinking of the hippocampus, a region of the brain involved in memory and navigation, as well degeneration of the brain’s white matter.
Dozens Hospitalized As Wave Of Overdoses Sweeps Through Central, South Georgia
The substance, which people bought thinking it was Percocet, has not been identified, but officials said the street drug is “extremely potent and has required massive doses of naloxone to counteract its effects.’’ Media outlets report on the crisis out of Florida, Connecticut and California as well.
Importation, Generics Expected To Be Topics Of House Hearing On Drug Prices
The House Energy and Commerce Committee is marking up a bill to renew the Food and Drug Administration’s authority to collect fees from the prescription drug and the medical device industries. In other news, next week the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee will also hold a hearing on drug costs.
Forbes investigates an annual golf event hosted at the Trump National Golf Club in Westchester County, N.Y., to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis.
NIH Director, An Obama Holdover, Will Continue In Role, White House Announces
Francis Collins enjoys widespread support from moderate Republicans despite being appointed during the previous administration.
Republicans’ Proposal To Cap Medicaid Spending Could Jeopardize States’ Managed Care Plans
Medicaid experts say the effort to hold down Medicaid costs may put at risk the private plans that provide coverage to low-income residents in many states. News outlets also report on Medicaid news in New York, Colorado, Illinois and Kansas.
Anthem Pulls Out Of Ohio Exchange Providing ACA Critics With More Ammunition
The move will leave about 10,000 Ohioans who get their insurance from the individual insurance market created by Obamacare without an insurance carrier.
