Two Republican Senators Offer A Plan B If Leadership’s Measure Fails
July 14, 2017
Morning Briefing
Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) have been working on a measure that they could sell to Democrats as a “repair” bill.
‘Pre-Hospice’ Saves Money By Keeping People At Home Near The End Of Life
By Anna Gorman
Photos by Heidi de Marco
March 27, 2017
KFF Health News Original
A San Diego program helps chronically ill people avoid the hospital by teaching them how to better manage their diseases and telling them what to expect in their final years. Other health providers and insurers around the country are trying similar approaches.
Everything Californians Wanted To Know About Their Health Plan (But Were Afraid To Ask)
By Ana B. Ibarra
October 12, 2016
KFF Health News Original
A new online database created by the Department of Managed Health Care can help consumers size up and compare insurance plans.
In Deep-Red Western N.C., Revered Congressman Leads Charge Against GOP Bill
By Phil Galewitz
March 20, 2017
KFF Health News Original
Is Republican Rep. Mark Meadows the man who would kill “Trumpcare”? He enjoys strong support in his gerrymandered western North Carolina district as he leads conservative opposition to the GOP’s plan for repealing and replacing Obamacare.
NIH Gets $1.1B Funding Increase From House Appropriators
July 13, 2017
Morning Briefing
The funding boost for the National Institutes of Health, which was advanced by a House subcommittee, is counter to the White House plan to slash medical research spending and is offset with reductions to family planning and refugee services.
A Dying Man’s Wish To Save Others Hits Hospital Ethics Hurdle
By Karen Shakerdge, Side Effects Public Media
January 3, 2017
KFF Health News Original
One terminally ill man’s hope to be disconnected from his respirator and donate his organs was almost thwarted, despite his best laid plans.
Influence Of GOP Doctors Caucus Grows As Congress Looks To Replace Health Law
By Phil Galewitz
February 15, 2017
KFF Health News Original
As conservative physicians rise to more powerful positions in government, some question whether they speak for the nation’s doctors.
Despite Anger At Health Law’s Mandate, GOP Plans Could Also Have Penalties
By Michelle Andrews
November 15, 2016
KFF Health News Original
President-elect Donald Trump has suggested that he would like to keep the health law’s ban on preexisting conditions. But that only works if insurers can be guaranteed a robust market, so Republicans must figure out a way to coax in healthy customers.
Judge Upends Effort To Limit Charity Funding For Kidney Patients’ Insurance
By Michelle Andrews
February 14, 2017
KFF Health News Original
A federal judge in Texas last month issued a preliminary injunction barring the government from enforcing a rule allowing insurers to refuse to insure dialysis patients who get premium assistance from charity groups.
21 Medicare Health Plans Warned To Fix Provider Directory Errors
By Phil Galewitz and Susan Jaffe
January 18, 2017
KFF Health News Original
Federal officials release names of insurers who ranked poorly in a recent review of their online directories’ accuracy.
CMS Considers Slashing 340B Payments As Way To Curb High Drug Spending
July 14, 2017
Morning Briefing
With the proposed changes, if a drug costs $84,000, CMS would pay just over $65,000, instead of $89,000.
Veterans’ Choice Program Facing Surprise $1B Shortfall
June 15, 2017
Morning Briefing
“If there is no action at all by Congress, then the Choice program will dry up by mid-August,” VA Secretary David Shulkin said while asking the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee for help.
Recién cubiertos por el Medi-Cal, niños indocumentados también buscan atención dental
By Ana B. Ibarra
September 16, 2016
KFF Health News Original
Algunas clínicas dentales están expandiendo sus horarios para cubrir la demanda, pero, ¿puede un sistema ya saturado satisfacer las necesidades de niños que no han visto a un dentista en años?
FDA Issues New Approvals For Leukemia, Ovarian Cancer Medicines
August 18, 2017
Morning Briefing
The Food and Drug Administration approves a new Pfizer drug to treat a rare, fast-progressing form of leukemia. The agency also expands the use Lynparza, sold by AstraZeneca and Merck & Co, to treat recurrent ovarian cancer. In other pharmaceutical news, changes to 340B program are delayed and a biopharma executive encounters challenges when trying to fund his own project.
Review Of H-1B Visa Practices Imperils Efforts To Attract Foreign Doctors To Underserved Areas
May 24, 2017
Morning Briefing
The Trump administration has suspended the 15-day expedited process to obtain an H-1B visa. Those visas are often used by hospitals and medical groups to hire foreign-born workers in specialty fields.
Organ Donation And The Opioid Epidemic: ‘An Unexpected Life-Saving Legacy’
By Martha Bebinger, WBUR
October 19, 2016
KFF Health News Original
So far this year, more than one in four donations in New England are from people who died after a drug overdose — a much higher rate than in the U.S. overall, though it’s not clear why.
Newly Covered By Medi-Cal, Undocumented Children Also Seek Dental Care
By Ana B. Ibarra
September 16, 2016
KFF Health News Original
Some dental clinics are expanding their hours to meet demand, but can an already stressed system satisfy the needs of children who haven’t seen a dentist in years?
Is 20-Something Too Late For A Guy To Get The HPV Vaccine?
By Jake Harper, Side Effects Public Media
October 24, 2016
KFF Health News Original
A generation of young men missed out on the HPV vaccine. Now, 29-year-old journalist Jake Harper wonders if that’s putting him and other men at risk.
Tossing Unused Surgical Supplies Wastes Millions Of Dollars, Study Finds
By Ana B. Ibarra
September 12, 2016
KFF Health News Original
Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco estimate that hospitals could lose nearly $1,000 per surgery by throwing away opened but unused supplies, such as gloves and sponges.
Abortion Opponents Don’t See Health Bill Defeat As Knock-Out Blow For Their Cause
August 3, 2017
Morning Briefing
“I think what is important to note is that the pro-life elements were not the cause of failure for the bill,” said Mallory Quigley, spokeswoman for the antiabortion Susan B. Anthony List. “This was an area of unity for Republicans. So I do think that there are going to be more wins in the future.” Meanwhile, progressive groups want the Democratic Party to reject any pro-life candidates for 2018.