In Deep-Blue State, Millions in Reddish Heartland Are Counting On Medicaid
By Ana B. Ibarra
Photos by Heidi de Marco
March 23, 2017
KFF Health News Original
The prospect of cutbacks has led to agitation and activism in California’s largely agricultural Central Valley, with relatively high poverty rates and a significant number of Trump voters.
Health Law Sleepers: Six Surprising Health Items That Could Disappear With ACA Repeal
By Julie Appleby Mary Agnes Carey
January 12, 2017
KFF Health News Original
It’s unclear what will become of some of the rules and regulations advanced by the 2010 health law as Republicans in Congress work to dismantle the sweeping measure.
‘Tsunami’ Of Alzheimer’s Cases Among Latinos Raises Concerns Over Costs, Caregiving
By Ana B. Ibarra Heidi de Marco
February 17, 2017
KFF Health News Original
The number of U.S. Latinos with the memory-robbing disease is expected to rise more than eightfold by 2060 to 3.5 million.
El “tsunami” de casos de Alzheimer entre latinos plantea inquietudes sobre el cuidado y los costos
By Ana B. Ibarra Heidi de Marco
February 17, 2017
KFF Health News Original
Se espera que el número de latinos con la enfermedad roba-memoria aumente más de 8 veces para 2060, a 3.5 millones.
Bipartisan Bill Seeks To Overturn New Cuts In Some Medicare Drug Payments
November 17, 2017
Morning Briefing
The congressional effort is aimed at a rule recently issued by the Trump administration that reduces federal reimbursement for medicines purchased under the federal 340B Drug Discount Program. That program helps boost revenues for hospitals that primarily serve low-income patients. Also in Medicare news, federal officials seek suggestions about lowering drug prices and set some new rules on the Part D drug program. The government also reports that improper payments have fallen.
With $3.75B Deal, Centene Helps Solidify Its Status As A Giant In Medicaid Market
September 13, 2017
Morning Briefing
The company announces it is acquiring Fidelis Care, which will give Centene more than 1.6 million members in New York.
California Withdraws Bid To Allow Undocumented To Buy Unsubsidized Plans
By Ana B. Ibarra Chad Terhune
January 20, 2017
KFF Health News Original
State lawmaker says he was worried the Trump Administration would use information on those who purchased plans to try and deport them.
Electing To ‘Opt Out’ Of Obamacare
By Ana B. Ibarra
November 17, 2016
KFF Health News Original
Despite tax penalties, opponents of the nation’s health law are emboldened by President-elect Donald Trump’s vow to scrap it. Others wonder why they should bother signing up.
Despite Recent $2.1B Boost, VA Choice Program May Need More Funding By December
September 28, 2017
Morning Briefing
But the House Veterans Affairs Committee was already anticipating that the emergency funding approved in August may not last the full six months.
HHS Watchdog Says Medicare Saved $1B Through Program That Coordinates Care
August 31, 2017
Morning Briefing
Accountable care organizations, created by the federal health law, are groups of doctors, hospitals and other health providers that coordinate care to reduce unnecessary federal spending and get to claim a portion of that savings. The report by the inspector general’s office also found that the majority of the 428 ACOs in the shared-savings program improved the quality of care they provided. In other Medicare news, an advisory panel says there is little evidence that weight-loss surgeries work.
Gilead Gambles On Kite’s Cancer Therapy, Scooping Up Drugmaker In $11B Deal
August 29, 2017
Morning Briefing
The move is a departure from the path currently being followed by the pharmaceutical industry where the pace of acquisitions had largely slowed this year.
A Young Man With Parkinson’s Frets Over The Affordability Of GOP Health Plan
By Alex Smith, KCUR
March 22, 2017
KFF Health News Original
Ford Inbody has a degenerative disease and is carefully watching the GOP replacement health care bill. Though it covers preexisting conditions, it could still mean he’ll get less care for more money.
Hospitals Worry Repeal Of Obamacare Would Jeopardize Innovations In Care
By Kristin Espeland Gourlay, RINPR
February 1, 2017
KFF Health News Original
One part of the federal health law gave hospitals financial incentives to improve patient care. Some invested big to make those changes and are worried about what losing that support would mean.
Travel Ban Adds Stress To ‘Match Week’ For Some Doctors
By Elana Gordon, WHYY
March 20, 2017
KFF Health News Original
Matching with a residency program had an added layer of stress this year for doctors-in-training from the countries affected by President Donald Trump’s travel ban.
Anti-Abortion Advocates Pleased By Modest, But Sustained, Gains From Trump Administration
September 18, 2017
Morning Briefing
“Even with what’s already been done—add that to what we think will be done—I would say this is the most pro-life presidency in the modern era,” says Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List. “We’d be hard-pressed to say any other administration has made more gains.”
Insurers Were Reluctant To Criticize Previous GOP Efforts, But New Bill Prompts Them To Speak Out
September 21, 2017
Morning Briefing
Not only would the legislation further destabilize the marketplace and jeopardize patient care, but it could potentially allow “government-controlled single payer health care to grow,” said AHIP’s Marilyn B. Tavenner. Among the other groups opposed to the bill are the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the American Heart Association, the American Medical Association and more.
To Bring Down Big Pharma, This BioHacker Wants To Teach Patients To Make Own Medications
October 12, 2017
Morning Briefing
Michael Laufer’s latest plan involves developing a desktop lab and a recipe book meant to equip patients to cook up a range of medicines, including a homemade version of the expensive hepatitis C drug Sovaldi, on their kitchen counters. In other news: an old FDA program is responsible for higher drug prices and lawmakers want more oversight over the 340B program, which allows hospitals to purchase drugs at a discounted rate.
Faring Better Than Many ACA Insurers, Molina Backs Health Law ‘Tuneup’
By April Dembosky, KQED
March 2, 2017
KFF Health News Original
The health insurance company, which operates in 12 states plus Puerto Rico, grew out of a network of Southern California clinics founded in 1980. Molina’s track record of working with low-income patients has served it well under Obamacare.
HHS Secretary: Give Medicare Authority To Negotiate Drug Prices
By Rachel Bluth
January 9, 2017
KFF Health News Original
More work is needed to improve health care in U.S., but there are no “silver bullets” to get the job done, Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell tells the National Press Club in a farewell speech defending Obamacare.
Officials Warn Some Older Marketplace Customers To Switch To Medicare
By Susan Jaffe
October 14, 2016
KFF Health News Original
The government is sending emails and letters to some seniors to warn them that if they are eligible for Medicare and stay on the health law’s exchange, they will have to repay any subsidies they receive and if they miss their Medicare enrollment opportunity, they will face a life-long penalty.
