Trump’s Debate Claim On Health Care Costs: It Depends What You Mean By ‘Cost’
By Julie Rovner
October 10, 2016
KFF Health News Original
Although many consumers are feeling the heat from increased health care spending, the overall bill may not be larger.
Flickers Of Bipartisanship May Light Way For Plan B In Senate If GOP Legislation Fails
May 15, 2017
Morning Briefing
There are signs that moderates are reaching across the aisle to talk about health care. Meanwhile, a controversial provision in the Republican legislation was predicted to die in the upper chamber, but now experts aren’t so sure. And The Washington Post fact checks claims about rising premiums — under both Obamacare and the Republican bill.
Sticker Shock Forces Thousands Of Cancer Patients To Skip Drugs, Skimp On Treatment
By Liz Szabo
March 15, 2017
KFF Health News Original
A growing number of patients fail to fill prescriptions because the cost of cancer drugs is too high.
More Prisoners Die Of Old Age Behind Bars
By Melissa Bailey
December 15, 2016
KFF Health News Original
New data show 4,980 inmate deaths in 2014, the most since counting began in 2001.
Obama’s Health Care Legacy: A Landmark Becomes A Question Mark
By Sarah Varney
January 10, 2017
KFF Health News Original
President Barack Obama succeeded where many other presidents failed, but now the fate of the Affordable Care Act rests with President-elect Donald Trump.
Surgeon General Murthy Wants America To Face Up To Addiction
By NPR Staff
November 17, 2016
KFF Health News Original
More people struggle with alcohol or drugs than have cancer, and 1 in 5 Americans binge drink. It all costs the nation $420 billion a year. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy says we know how to help.
House Repeal Plan Would Cut $43B From Medicaid Coverage Of Kids, Analysis Finds
May 19, 2017
Morning Briefing
“Over time, per capita caps could significantly reduce the amount of funding that goes towards Medicaid coverage for children,” says Dan Mendelson, president of Avalere, the consulting firm that conducted the study. Meanwhile, in the Senate, Republican moderates float ideas in order to retain Medicaid expansion that could have other consequences for states.
Terminally Ill Patients Don’t Use Aid-In-Dying Laws To Relieve Pain
By Liz Szabo
October 26, 2016
KFF Health News Original
Ending pain and suffering has helped several states pass “right-to-die” laws, but dying patients are more concerned about controlling how they die and dying with dignity.
Teaching Medical Teamwork Right From The Start
By Julie Rovner
August 29, 2016
KFF Health News Original
In a joint project, the Cleveland Clinic and Case Western Reserve University are banking on a new building to kick start efforts to bring health professionals together by introducing collaboration into medical training.
Trump’s Abortion ‘Gag Rule’ Will Block $8.8B In Aid To Fight Malaria, AIDS And Other Diseases
May 16, 2017
Morning Briefing
With the rule in place, any foreign nongovernmental group that wants American money for any of its health activities must promise not to “promote abortion as a method of family planning.”
Cardinal Health Lays Out $6.1B To Acquire Medtronic Supplies Business
April 19, 2017
Morning Briefing
The health services company plans to acquire Medtronic’s patient care, deep vein thrombosis and nutritional insufficiency medical-supply units.
When Pretend Play Is Real For Alzheimer’s Patients
By Anna Gorman
Photos by Heidi de Marco
October 4, 2016
KFF Health News Original
Playing with dolls is good therapy for some elderly people with dementia. They may think the dolls are real babies, but does it matter?
Additional $8B For High-Risk Pools Swayed Lawmakers But Experts Say It Isn’t Enough
May 4, 2017
Morning Briefing
Protections for those with preexisting conditions have been a major talking point during this week’s negotiations to try to move the Republican health care plan through the House. Media outlets look at what they are, if the additional money will be cover those who need care, and the history of high-risk pools.
State Highlights: Pa. Hospital ‘Super Users’ Run Up $1.25B Tab; Mass. Dentists Charge Delta Dental Violated Nonprofit Rules
June 21, 2017
Morning Briefing
Media outlets report on news from Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Kansas, Georgia, California, Tennessee and New York.
West Virginia Grapples With High Drug Costs
By Kara Lofton, West Virginia Public Broadcasting
October 20, 2016
KFF Health News Original
Climbing drug prices are taking a toll on West Virginia’s budget, some state legislators say. Expensive drugs fuel an increase in Medicaid spending, which leaves less money for schools and roads.
Uncertain Fate Of Health Law Giving Health Industry Heartburn
By Julie Rovner Chad Terhune
November 21, 2016
KFF Health News Original
The effect of “repeal and replace” could have greatest consequences for hospitals. They accepted lower federal funding under the law because their uncompensated care was expected to fall as more people became insured.
Reporter’s Notebook: Pregnant And Caught In Zika Test Limbo
By Sammy Mack, WLRN
September 22, 2016
KFF Health News Original
Pregnant women in South Florida can get free Zika tests through the state’s health department. But delays in getting back the results are heightening worries and may affect medical options.
Obamacare ‘Replacement’ Might Look Familiar
By Jay Hancock Shefali Luthra
November 9, 2016
KFF Health News Original
Republicans want to jettison the health law, but some features are already hardwired into the system.
Democrats To GOP: Give Us Subsidies And We’ll Give You $15B For Military Spending
April 26, 2017
Morning Briefing
Those with information on the spending negotiations say Democrats are eyeing military spending as a potential compromise to get money for the “insurer bailouts” that Republicans have been targeting for years. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Times and KHN offer looks at just what exactly those subsidies are.
This Researcher Thought A Blood Test Came Back With An Error. Instead It Helped Him Unlock A Treatment
April 12, 2017
Morning Briefing
One patient with abnormally high levels of a blood-clotting protein may help those who have been diagnosed with hemophilia B. In other public health news: prostate cancer screenings, running, gun control, alcohol abuse, asbestos, and back pain.
