Cost and Quality

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Trump, Dems Look For Common Ground On Drug Prices

KFF Health News Original

Two Democratic congressmen met with President Trump to seek his support for a bill to expand the government’s ability to negotiate drug prices, but it’s not clear it would have much impact or will gain support.

Proyecto republicano elimina el mandato individual y gran parte de la expansión del Medicaid

KFF Health News Original

Los republicanos dieron a conocer el plan de salud con el que buscan reemplazar gran parte del Obamacare. Qué disposiciones se conservarían y cuáles podrían desaparecer por completo.

Are Virtual Doctor Visits Really Cost-Effective? Not So Much, Study Says

KFF Health News Original

Rand Corp. finds that telehealth encourages patients to seek care for minor illnesses they wouldn’t bother to make an office visit for, raising overall health costs.

Cancer Rates Dropped During The Recession. That’s Not Necessarily A Good Thing.

KFF Health News Original

Researchers believe Californians, many of whom lost health coverage, delayed doctor visits that could have led to earlier detection. Now, with people seeking medical care under the Affordable Care Act, some experts expect to see an increase in late-stage cancers.

‘Right-To-Try’ Laws Expose Dying Patients To Exploitation, Ethicists Warn

KFF Health News Original

More than 30 states have laws on the books to allow dying patients the right to try experimental treatments. But these treatments may not be covered by insurance, and ethicists worry vulnerable people could be exploited near the end of their lives. The laws may also duplicate a process the FDA already has in place.

Instead Of Trashing A $600 EpiPen, Some Patients Get A Refill

KFF Health News Original

Epinephrine, the active ingredient in EpiPens, expires after 18 months, and the auto-injector device can’t be refilled or reused. Health professionals are looking for work-arounds they say could save the health system millions.

President Trump And I Take The Same Drugs — Except One

KFF Health News Original

An aging writer discovers there are worse things than going bald after examining the side effects of a popular hair loss drug purportedly used by President Donald Trump.

Indiana’s Claims About Its Medicaid Experiment Don’t All Check Out

KFF Health News Original

Indiana’s conservative take on Medicaid expansion is up for renewal in the home state of Vice President Mike Pence. But there are some discrepancies between the state’s application for renewal and facts about the program.

For Some Hospice Patients, A 911 Call Saves A Trip To The ER

KFF Health News Original

Hospice groups are teaming up with specially trained paramedics to deal with common problems that worried patients or families incorrectly think need hospital care.

Popular Charity Heart Screenings For Teens May Cause More Problems Than They Solve

KFF Health News Original

The screenings with an electrocardiogram are often set up after a tragic death of a local athlete, but researchers say there is no evidence that they prevent deaths and may lead to false alarms and further unnecessary testing.

5 Reasons Why An $89,000 Drug Has Congress Fuming

KFF Health News Original

A drug from Marathon Pharmaceuticals has ignited a firestorm on Capitol Hill and beyond. What makes it different than the $750,000 drug that came before it?

Medicaid: todo lo que necesita saber sobre el financiamiento “en bloque”

KFF Health News Original

El presidente Donald Trump propone cambiar drásticamente el vínculo entre el gobierno federal y los estados, a la hora de repartir el dinero para gerenciar el programa que ayuda a las familias de bajos ingresos a tener seguro de salud.