Dentists Work To Ease Patients’ Pain With Fewer Opioids
By Elana Gordon, WHYY
March 8, 2017
KFF Health News Original
Dentistry is at a crossroads and many in the field are reassessing their narcotics prescribing habits.
Leading the Way? Northern California Cities To Embark On Soda Tax Spending
By Ana B. Ibarra
December 13, 2016
KFF Health News Original
Health advocates are expecting millions in new tax money for health education programs aimed at preventing obesity, diabetes and tooth decay. Other cities around the country are mulling similar measures.
Texas Braces For Medicaid Cuts Under GOP Health Plan
By Ashley Lopez, KUT
March 23, 2017
KFF Health News Original
Texans on both sides of the political spectrum say the Lone Star State is not going to fare well under GOP plans to replace the Affordable Care Act.
Big, Expensive Battle Brewing Between Pharma, Hospitals Over Drug Discount Program
November 10, 2017
Morning Briefing
The 340B program requires drugmakers to offer discounts of up to 50 percent on medicines sold to safety net hospitals and health centers that serve low-income populations. The Trump administration wants to slash reimbursement payments to providers. Meanwhile, Vermont is investigating if pharmaceutical companies have violated state law by giving gifts or payments to providers.
California Lawmakers Aim To Pay Dentists More To Treat Poor Patients
By Ana B. Ibarra
December 15, 2016
KFF Health News Original
Legislation would raise payments for Denti-Cal providers, using revenue from the state tobacco tax recently passed by California voters.
Storm-Struck Puerto Rico May Get Another $1B In Medicaid Funding
October 4, 2017
Morning Briefing
The House Energy and Commerce Committee tucked the request into the bill to reauthorize the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
Pre-Obamacare, Preexisting Conditions Long Vexed States And Insurers
By Elana Gordon, WHYY
April 26, 2017
KFF Health News Original
Before the federal health law guarantee that consumers cannot be turned down because of their medical history, it was difficult to balance insurers’ needs to make a profit and individuals’ needs for coverage.
Alexander-Murray Bill Would Reduce Deficit By Nearly $4B, Have Little Effect On Number Of Insured
October 26, 2017
Morning Briefing
The projections from the Congressional Budget Office bolster the bill’s chances, said authors Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.). But President Donald Trump has sent mixed messages about the legislation, and Republican leaders are waiting to move on the measure until the president says he favors it. Meanwhile, House Speaker Paul Ryan said that health care is something that should be looked at next year, instead of in the remaining months of this one.
Louisiana Proposes Tapping A Federal Law To Slash Hepatitis C Drug Prices
By Sarah Jane Tribble
May 4, 2017
KFF Health News Original
Several public health officials endorse using a federal law to slash hepatitis C drug prices in Louisiana and avoid drug bills that could cripple the state budget.
I Do … Take You To Be My Lawfully Covered Health Care Dependent
By Fred Mogul, WNYC
March 21, 2017
KFF Health News Original
They are in love. They also are worried about the uncertainty of the health law. So, they have a modest wedding during a blizzard so she can get his job-based insurance as soon as possible.
769 Hospitals Penalized For Patient Safety In 2017: Data Table
By Jordan Rau
December 21, 2016
KFF Health News Original
The federal government has cut payments to hospitals with high rates of patient injuries this year. Those hospitals will lose 1 percent of Medicare payments over the federal fiscal year, which runs from October 2016 through next September. Maryland hospitals are exempted from penalties because that state has a separate payment arrangement with Medicare. Below […]
Missouri Rejects Federal Money In Order To Set Up Its Own Abortion Restrictions
By Durrie Bouscaren, St. Louis Public Radio
April 4, 2017
KFF Health News Original
Abortion is already heavily restricted in Missouri, but now the state is cutting more funding to organizations that provide abortions, even though it means rejecting millions of dollars from the federal government.
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 and 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 and 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 and 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.
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.
California Withdraws Bid To Allow Undocumented To Buy Unsubsidized Plans
By Ana B. Ibarra and 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.
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.
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.