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Latest Morning Briefing Stories

‘Grossly Unfair’? Widower Takes Ban On Military Injury Claims To Supreme Court

KFF Health News Original

When a young Navy lieutenant died following low-risk childbirth, her husband claimed military doctors botched her care. But his wrongful death claim was dismissed because of a 1950 ruling that bars active-duty service members from suing the U.S. government — for any reason.

Doctors Give Medicare’s Proposal To Pay For Telemedicine Poor Prognosis

KFF Health News Original

Federal officials are proposing that Medicare pay doctors for a 10-minute “check-in” call with beneficiaries. But many doctors already do this for free, and the plan would require a cost-sharing charge of many patients.

No More Secrets: Congress Bans Pharmacist ‘Gag Orders’ On Drug Prices

KFF Health News Original

Congress approved two bills last month that prohibit provisions keeping pharmacists from telling patients when they can save money by paying the cash price instead of the price negotiated by their insurance plan.

Spurred By Convenience, Millennials Often Spurn The ‘Family Doctor’ Model

KFF Health News Original

These young adults are looking for medical care that is convenient, fast and offers cost transparency. They frequently seek treatment at retail clinics, urgent care centers or other options.

The Feds’ Termination Of A Tiny Contract Inflames Bitter Fight Over Fetal Tissue

KFF Health News Original

Just weeks before midterm elections, a move by federal health officials spotlights a contentious issue: the use of human fetal tissue in research. Here’s what you need to know to understand the debate.

Medicare Advantage Plans Shift Their Financial Risk To Doctors

KFF Health News Original

Some private Medicare Advantage plans are offering large physician-management companies more money upfront and control of their patients’ care, but the doctors are responsible for staying within the budget.

Patient Advocacy Or Political Ploy? Union, Industry Square Off Over Dialysis Initiative

KFF Health News Original

The measure, which will appear on the November ballot, seeks to cap industry profits. The SEIU-UHW union has raised almost $17 million, but opponents from the industry have invested more than four times that.

In The Battle To Control Drug Costs, Old Patent Laws Get New Life

KFF Health News Original

Health insurers and pharmacy benefit managers are exploring how two legal provisions — which have been on the books for decades — could bring down the price tags of certain prescription medications. 

Drugmakers Play The Patent Game To Lock In Prices, Block Competitors

KFF Health News Original

Pharmaceutical companies like Purdue Pharma, maker of OxyContin, often win patents for incremental changes with debatable value. Now there’s a twist involving an opioid treatment.

‘Contraception Deserts’ Likely To Widen Under New Trump Administration Policy

KFF Health News Original

Federal family planning funds, known as Title X, will soon fund for-profit women’s clinics that bar condoms, hormonal birth control and IUDs and offer only “natural family planning.”

KHN Conversation On Overtreatment

KFF Health News Original

Physicians estimate that 21 percent of medical care is unnecessary — a problem that costs the health care system at least $210 billion a year. KHN hosted a forum on how too much medicine can cause harm.