Latest KFF Health News Stories
NIH To Halt Medical Experiments On Chimpanzees
The 50 chimps that remain in National Institutes of Health research facilities will be sent to sanctuaries, ending a controversial, long-time practice of testing vaccines and drugs on the animals.
FDA Approves Easy-To-Use Heroin Antidote To Combat Overdoses
Narcan is a reformulated drug delivered through a nasal spray that can reverse heroin and opioid overdoses. As the national drug abuse epidemic grows, local officials across the country have begun handing out the drug to police, drug users and families of addicts.
Top Veterans Affairs Official Lays Out Overhaul Plan For VA Health Care System To Lawmakers
Deputy Secretary Sloan Gibson told the House Committee on Veterans Affairs that the agency was working to improve the network of private doctors available to veterans. In other VA news, a former Phoenix VA hospital director will keep her bonus despite being fired for misconduct. And Rep. John Mica introduces a bill that would transfer federal control of a VA nursing home to Florida.
Ohio Gov. Kasich’s Office Helped Create Abortion Restrictions
The legislation required clinics where abortions are performed to have emergency-transfer protocol with nearby hospitals, among other measures. Elsewhere, a conservative group questions Carly Fiorina’s credentials, the Democratic presidential frontrunners spar on health care taxes and divisions appear within the Clinton Health Access Initiative.
Alabama Gov.’s Task Force Recommends Medicaid Expansion
The group called for an “Alabama-driven solution” to closing the coverage gap.
Consumers Insured By Illinois’ Most Popular Obamacare Provider Face 17% Premium Hike
Also in Illinois, a report finds that 175,000 Chicago residents are eligible for insurance but remain uninsured. Elsewhere, media outlets report on enrollment developments from Florida, Maryland, Texas and Minnesota.
Wide Variation In Plan Prices Poses Challenges For Health Law, Creates Stress For Shoppers
Also, some businesses are factoring in the cost of health coverage to their growth calculations.
This early morning disclosure by the nation’s largest insurer highlights the difficulties insurers are having with the marketplaces created by the Affordable Care Act and will fuel concerns regarding the long-term sustainability of the exchanges.
Sen. Sasse, Seeking Info On Insurance Co-Ops’ Collapse, Vows To Block FDA Nominee
The Nebraska Republican says he will block Robert Califf’s confirmation until the administration gives him information about the shuttering of a dozen health insurance co-ops set up by the health law. Also in the news, an SEC investigation of insider trading is now focusing on the workings of a House committee and a Capitol Hill hearing examines the power of pharmacy benefit managers.
News outlets report on health issues in California, South Dakota, Tennessee, North Carolina, New Jersey, Colorado and Florida.
Viewpoints: High Deductibles Make Sense Economically; An Abortion Provider’s Perspective
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets report on health issues in California, Missouri, Illinois, North Carolina, Florida and Connecticut.
New York City Launches Initiative Focused On The Mental Health Of Pregnant Women, New Mothers
Meanwhile, in Texas, a new report advances mental health policy recommendations for law enforcement agencies. News outlets also report on the challenges of maneuvering the mental health care system in North Carolina and Ohio.
Democrats See Possible Win In Louisiana Gubernatorial Runoff
Democratic candidate John Bel Edwards is polling well in the race against Republican U.S. Sen. David Vitter. Edwards is on record as supportive of the health law’s Medicaid expansion.
Iowa Lawmakers To Urge Feds To Halt Medicaid Privatization
Three Democratic state senators are travelling to Washington, D.C., to meet with federal officials in an effort to stop Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad’s privatization plan. In other state Medicaid news, adult care facilities in Kansas are wary of KanCare reimbursement changes; a Michigan regulatory board denies contract appeals by five Medicaid HMOs; and Virginia’s Medicaid costs are forecast to rise.
Fewer Being Screened For Prostate Cancer After Recommendations
The number of cancer cases, too, has dropped sharply, but questions remain if the death rate from the disease will also slow.
VA To Offer New Plan To Improve Private Doctor Care For Veterans
The Washington Post reports that Veterans Affairs officials will present details to Congress today. Also, the Miami Herald finds that Florida hospitals are having trouble getting paid for care to veterans.
Dietary Supplement Makers Face Criminal Charges Over Alleged Mislabeling
The Department of Justice says 117 companies sold supplements that were mislabeled or had potentially tainted ingredients.
Drug Spending On The Rise Across The Globe, Could Hit $1.3T Over Next Five Years
Prescription drug cost hikes will contribute to a 30-percent rise in total global drug spending by 2020. In related news, the American Medical Association is urging a ban on the advertisement of prescription drugs and medical devices to consumers.
Meanwhile, while on the campaign trail in Texas, Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton took jabs at Gov. Greg Abbott for turning away from the health law’s Medicaid expansion.
