Latest KFF Health News Stories
News outlets report on health issues in Connecticut, Tennessee, Missouri, Michigan and New Mexico.
Okla. Proposal Would ‘Rebalance’ Medicaid To Give Coverage To 175,000 Uninsured
The plan would move 175,000 children and pregnant women from Medicaid to private insurance, where they could qualify for federal premium subsidies, and expand the state’s Insure Oklahoma program to another 175,000 people who are currently uninsured.
Iowa Switches To Controversial Medicaid Managed Care Program Today
Democrats and some consumer advocates sharply fought Gov. Terry Branstad’s plan, but after a short delay the new system goes into effect.
In Hardest-Hit Latin American Countries, Zika Cases Beginning To Decline
Experts warn that the trend is limited to certain countries and does not mean the epidemic is starting to subside everywhere it has struck. In other news, the World Health Organization officially links the virus and microcephaly, and health officials are meeting at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters to map out a strategy to deal with Zika’s spread in Puerto Rico.
The Source Of Flint’s Next Lead Problem: The Soil
Even as Flint, Michigan’s water is becoming safe to drink again, children’s blood tests will show elevated results, because summer is a peak time for lead levels in the soil, which can be inhaled. Meanwhile The Detroit Free Press examines the role race and class played in the water crisis.
Potent, Cheap And Lethal: As Fentanyl Death Toll Climbs, CDC Offers Guidance To Help Curb Epidemic
The synthetic drug is 50 times more powerful than heroin, relatively inexpensive to produce, and is causing a rash of fatal overdoses that has states calling in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for help.
After Hacks On Hospitals, U.S. And Canada Issue Rare Joint Cyber Alert
MedStar, a hospital chain serving thousands in Washington, D.C., had to shut down much of its computer network this week. The governments are discouraging victims from paying hackers to restore access to their data.
CMS Report On Theranos Details Lack Of Quality Control, Use Of Unqualified Personnel
The blood testing startup says its new lab director has implemented extensive new procedures to improve on the failures, and that those who were in leadership during the period the federal government was investigating are no longer with the lab.
OPM Adds Autism Coverage To Federal Health Plans
The plans will have to cover applied behavior analysis for children on the spectrum starting next year. “We continued to receive letters from federal families desperate to get this coverage for their children,” Office of Personnel Management acting director Beth Cobert said, noting coverage had been uneven even after the office encouraged carriers to cover it.
A Twist In The Pharmaceutical Price Wars: Drugs That Are Too Cheap
On the other side of the debate over sky-high costs is the global shortages of essential drugs. Some say there should be minimum prices to keep the medications on the market. In other news, the Food and Drug Administration has released biosimilar labeling guidelines.
N.H. Senate Approves Extending Medicaid Expansion Program
The bill now goes to Gov. Maggie Hassan, who has pledged to sign it.
Insurers Cutting Payments To Brokers To Discourage Sales Of Some Health Law Plans
The moves often focus on plans that attract the sickest people.
Medicare Implements New Payment Rules For Hip And Knee Replacements In 67 Cities
The move seeks to get hospitals to better coordinate care with doctors and rehab centers by making the hospitals accountable for the costs of the operation and follow-up services for 90 days.
‘Tremendous Consensus’ In Anti-Abortion Movement Over Trump’s ‘Punishment’ Comments
Although there wasn’t time to compare talking points, leaders in the movement said there was no need: It’s wrong, they all agreed. Meanwhile, the Republican front-runner is blaming a “convoluted” interview for his statement that, if abortions were banned, a woman who had one should be punished. “It could be that I misspoke,” he also acknowledged.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: The ACA And Insurance Mergers; Diabetes Prevention Program Success
A selection of opinions from around the country.
Abortion Views On The Campaign Trail, Contraception Views From The Supreme Court
Various perspectives on the latest political and legal developments regarding abortion policies.
Longer Looks: Valeant’s Fall; The Anti-Vaccine Movement; Health Care For The Homeless
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
News outlets report on health issues in Texas, Nebraska, Kansas, Georgia, Arizona, Wisconsin, Wyoming, West Virginia, Massachusetts, New Mexico and Hawaii.
Ohio Prepares To Ask Feds For Permission To Require Cost-Sharing In Medicaid
The proposal, which was mandated by Republican lawmakers in the state budget, would require Medicaid enrollees to pay into a health-savings account beginning in 2018. News outlets also report on Medicaid developments in New York, Iowa and New Mexico.
