Latest KFF Health News Stories
California Medical Board President Faces Questions Over Vote In Sexual Misconduct Case
After the medical board reinstated the license of doctor who molested patients, one member –now president — secured a $40 million donation for a pet project from the doctor’s relative. He says the two events are unrelated. Critics are demanding an investigation.
Making Multiple Drugs In One Factory Risks Scary Side Effect Of Shortages
Hundreds of drug brands are being made in giant contract facilities. When a plant shuts down, a widespread drain on supply can result.
Patient Advocacy Groups Rake In Donations From Pharma
A new study shows that 83 percent of the largest patient advocacy groups take contributions from drug, medical device or biotech firms.
Health Insurance: What If You Could Take It With You?
“Portability” will likely be a buzz word in the health law repeal-and-replace debate, but the concept raises a number of complicated policy issues.
President Trump And I Take The Same Drugs — Except One
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.
For Some Hospice Patients, A 911 Call Saves A Trip To The ER
Hospice groups are teaming up with specially trained paramedics to deal with common problems that worried patients or families incorrectly think need hospital care.
Advocates Of Flat-Fee Primary Care See Opening In GOP’s Market-Driven Approach
In direct primary care, a monthly fee covers routine care, limiting insurers’ role. But does it really provide better value?
Liberal Vermont Tests The Waters On GOP Health Care Overhaul
Vermont embarks on a six-year experiment to redesign health care and how it’s paid for.
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.
