States

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ VA Secretary Out, Privatization In?

KFF Health News Original

In this episode of KHN’s “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Sarah Kliff of Vox.com, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News and Alice Ollstein of Talking Points Memo discuss President Donald Trump’s firing of David Shulkin, the secretary of Veterans Affairs, and Shulkin’s claim that he was forced out by those who want to privatize VA health care.

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ Health Law Fix Misses The Spending Bill Train

KFF Health News Original

In this episode of KHN’s “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Joanne Kenen of Politico, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News and Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times discuss the apparent demise of bipartisan legislation aimed at shoring up parts of the Affordable Care Act. They also discuss aggressive new efforts by the Food and Drug Administration to regulate tobacco products. Plus, for extra credit, the panelists offer their favorite health policy stories of the week.

Graphic: Opioid Painkiller Is Top Prescription In 10 States

KFF Health News Original

Though opioid prescriptions appear to be on the decline, Vicodin and Norco remain popular, especially in the South. In more than half of states, Synthroid — a drug to treat hypothyroidism — came in at No. 1.

Matrimonio captura en video sus últimos días de vida

KFF Health News Original

Bajo la ley de muerte digna de Oregon, Charlie y Francie Emerick, casados durante 66 años y ambos con enfermedades terminales, decidieron morir el mismo día, tomados de la mano. Una de sus hijas grabó el video.

With Some Republican Support, Virginia Edges Closer To Medicaid Expansion

KFF Health News Original

More than a dozen Republicans in the Virginia House of Delegates voted to expand Medicaid, and at least one state senator may be leaning in favor of expansion. It will be the hot topic as legislators are called back to Richmond to hash out a budget in the special session starting April 11.

Everything You Need To Know About The New Medicare Cards (But Beware Of Scams)

KFF Health News Original

Starting in April, new Medicare cards will be issued to the program’s 59 million enrollees. The new cards address serious security concerns, yet there are growing “scams” linked to the rollout.

No-Go For Idaho: Back To The Drawing Board On State-Based Health Plans

KFF Health News Original

The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services advised the state that its plan to offer state-based insurance plans falls short of the Obamacare rules and could result in penalties for insurers.

Mental Health Funding Tied To Florida’s Controversial Gun Legislation

KFF Health News Original

The same Florida bill that would put more guns in schools would provide the state with $90 million more for mental health resources, including $69 million for schools. Advocates say those funds for mental health care are desperately needed.