Latest KFF Health News Stories
A Safety-Net Medical Center Wrestles With Specter Of ‘Repeal’
San Mateo Medical Center is among hundreds of safety-net hospitals in California and across the country that stand to lose big if the federal government slashes support for Medicaid and insurance exchanges.
Congressman’s Ties To Foreign Biotech Draw Criticism
Rep. Chris Collins’ enthusiastic investments in Australian biotech company Innate Immunotherapeutics preceded share purchases by the Buffalo Republican’s family members, associates and political donors — raising questions from Washington, D.C., to Sydney.
5 Reasons Why An $89,000 Drug Has Congress Fuming
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?
Travel Ban Spotlights U.S. Dependence On Foreign-Born Doctors
One in four doctors practicing in the U.S. is an international medical doctor. Many foreign-born doctors practice in parts of the country where there are doctor shortages.
Judge Upends Effort To Limit Charity Funding For Kidney Patients’ Insurance
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.
Drugmaker Marathon ‘Pausing’ Delivery Of $89,000-A-Year Muscular Dystrophy Drug
After hearing complaints about its high price, Marathon Pharmaceuticals is pausing the launch of an $89,000 drug for a rare disease.
Grassley Launches Inquiry Into Orphan Drugs After KHN Investigation
Citing a Kaiser Health News investigation, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley vows to examine the orphan drug program and possible fixes.
Dozens Of New Cancer Drugs Do Little To Improve Survival, Frustrating Patients
The FDA has approved dozens of new cancer medications in recent years, but few offer the benefits that patients seek.
Georgia Legislative Panel Hears Concerns About Surprise Medical Billing
Insurers and care providers say efforts to fix how consumers are notified also raise concerns.
HHS Pick Price Made ‘Brazen’ Stock Trades While His Committee Was Under Scrutiny
With federal investigators bearing down on his committee, Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., who is line to be secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, showed little restraint in investing in health companies.
Luke Whitbeck’s life was saved by a rare disease drug, but it costs $300,000 a year.
Trump’s Immigration Ban Fuels Fear For Young Doctors Whose Jobs May Be In Limbo
With announcements of placements in residencies expected in March, medical education groups and hospitals say they’re unsure how to proceed.
Women Fear Drug They Used To Halt Puberty Led To Health Problems
Despite questions about Lupron’s lasting side effects and minimal study into its safety, the FDA sped approval of the drug to market. Years later, some young women are still living with the consequences.
Democrats Say Cabinet Choice Tom Price ‘Misled’ The Public. Here’s What We Know.
Concerns over U.S. Rep. Tom Price’s answers about stock trades led Senate Democrats to boycott a committee vote that would have moved his nomination to the Senate floor.
Renewed Cleaning Efforts For Scopes Not Enough To Vanquish Bacteria
A new study, though small, finds extensive damage to commonly used medical scopes that could trap dangerous bacteria. That raises concerns about the potential for more outbreaks.
Getting Patients Hooked On An Opioid Overdose Antidote, Then Raising The Price
The device, known as Evzio, administers just enough naloxone to stabilize someone who has overdosed on drugs. But its manufacturer, Kaleo, may be positioning itself to find profits in a dire health care crisis.
California Fines Kaiser Permanente $2.5 Million Over Missing Medicaid Data
The HMO blew two deadlines to supply information required by the state to monitor Medi-Cal managed care plans. Kaiser says it is “taking steps” to resolve the problem.
Trump’s HHS Choice: First A Letter To Medicare. Then A Campaign Contribution.
Rep. Tom Price, up for running HHS under President Trump, helped a company that became a top campaign donor, records show.
People With Medical Debt Most Likely To Be Dunned By Collection Agencies
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reports in a new study that 59 percent of people contacted by a debt collector had outstanding medical bills.
Trump’s HHS Pick Favored Drugmakers, Device Makers And Doctors
Letters sent to Medicare from U.S. Rep. Tom Price, President Trump’s pick to run HHS, supported physicians as well as drug or device makers, records show.
