Latest KFF Health News Stories
Zika, Rubella And Abortion: How Health Crises Can Change Public Perception
Before there was the Zika virus, there was German measles, which could lead to birth defects in babies, and it helped flip the abortion conversation in America in the 1960s. Meanwhile, the CDC’s new advice for women and drinking sparks outrage, and a Missouri Republican pushes back against calls to end investigations into the sale of fetal tissue.
Anthem Merger Plan Deals Blow To Cigna’s Profits
The insurer’s profits fell 8.8% in the fourth quarter.
Obama’s Proposed Cadillac Tax Tweak Deemed ‘Insufficient’ By Opponents
“We’re glad the administration recognizes the Cadillac tax is seriously flawed. But its impact in high cost areas is just one of its many problems,” says James Klein, president of the American Benefits Council, a nonprofit representing employers. And apart from the Cadillac tax change, Reuters lays out what else will be in the president’s budget, set to be released on Tuesday.
Clinton, Sanders Wage War Over Progressive Label At Debate
In their first one-on-one debate, the two Democratic primary candidates clashed over health care, ties to pharmaceutical companies and more.
Lawmakers Hit Brick Wall As Shkreli Pleads The Fifth At Price Gouging Hearing
The former Turing CEO smirked his way through questions from the committee members who grew increasingly exasperated with his refusal to provide answers about his company’s high drug costs.
N.H. Governor Presses For Extension Of Medicaid Expansion To Help Fight Opioid Crisis
Gov. Maggie Hassan says it is important for those fighting drug addiction to have access to treatment. In other Medicaid expansion news, the Alaska legislature’s lawsuit against the governor’s plan has a day in court, and some Montana enrollees are finally getting necessary medical services.
Florida Leads States In Enrollment On Health Law Marketplaces
According to the information released by officials, 1.7 million Florida residents signed up for coverage on the exchanges. California was close behind with nearly 1.6 million. News outlets also report on enrollment numbers in Texas, Georgia, Wisconsin, Arizona, Indiana, Oregon and Delaware.
Officials Announce Health Plan Sign-Ups Outpace Goals And Include 4M New Customers
The Department of Health and Human Services says 12.7 million people signed up for a policy through the health law’s marketplaces during the regular enrollment season.
First Edition: February 5, 2016
Kaiser Health News is now producing California Healthline, with the goal of bringing you the best coverage of health policy news in California. Click here to learn more about the site and its staff. If you would like to receive the free California Healthline daily or weekly emails, you can adjust your email preferences here.
Viewpoints: Can Both Parties Be Happy With The ACA?; The Pros Of The Cadillac Tax
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: Ignoring Intuition; Bending The Cost Curve; Diagnosing ADHD
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
State Highlights: Mass. Fight Against High Drug Costs; Kansas May Drop IG For Private Medicaid Plans
New outlets report on health care developments in Massachusetts, Kansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Minnesota, Colorado, North Carolina, California and Florida.
Iowa Lawmakers Propose Tamper-Proof Painkillers To Help Combat Opioid Crisis
They say doctors would have the discretion to prescribe the specially formulated pills to those who have a propensity to get addicted. And in Virginia, a measure aimed at curbing over-prescription moves forward.
Scientists Research Benefits On Aging Of Killing Off Older Cells
In mice, reducing so-called senescent cells in the body likely kept the animal healthier longer. But the process would be hard to replicate for humans. In other health research, a scientific panel decides it could be “ethically permissible” for a baby to have genes from three people. And Stanford University says its new DNA screening test can more accurately diagnose cystic fibrosis in babies.
Blood Banks Rejecting Donors Who Have Visited Zika-Affected Areas To Protect Supply
The FDA is still considering if it should make binding recommendations. Meanwhile, partisan rumblings over the administration’s response to the virus are starting to emerge from Capitol Hill, and researchers are frustrated with the lack of data coming out of Brazil.
Study: Births Among Low-Income Families Rose After Texas Cut Planned Parenthood Funding
The findings could be a sign of what’s to come in other states taking similar steps with the organization.
UnitedHealthcare Sues HHS Over Medicare Advantage Overpayment Rule
The 41 UnitedHealth Group companies say the regulation will result in underpayment to insurers. In other news, the administration nears its goal for revamping the way Medicare providers are paid.
Pharma Pushes Patients To Take Their Medicine
Stat reports that worldwide the pharmaceutical industry loses tens of billions of dollars each year because patients don’t comply with their drug regimens.
After Posting Declining Profits, Merck Looks To Make Gains In 2016 With Cancer, Hep C Drugs
The company’s treatment for hepatitis C was approved by the FDA last week. In other news, GlaxoSmithKline says it will probably not spin off or sell its consumer health business.
New Study Questions Price Tag On Sanders’ ‘Medicare For All’ Plan
An analysis by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget projects the candidate’s health care plans could add $3 trillion or more to the national debt over the next 10 years.
