Latest KFF Health News Stories
Jump-Starting Hard Conversations As The End Nears
An end-of life-planning website can encourage patients to tackle that difficult topic before they become too ill to communicate, according to a new study. But they may be more likely to make concrete plans with help from a doctor or social worker.
Over-The-Counter Devices Hold Their Own Against Costly Hearing Aids
In a head-to-head comparison, several of the cheaper devices performed nearly as well as the expensive hearing aids. The study lends credence to lawmakers’ efforts to get the FDA to set standards for over-the-counter versions.
Price Transparency In Medicine Faces Stiff Opposition — From Hospitals And Doctors
A coalition of health care providers are blocking Ohio’s law requiring health care providers to tell what non-emergency services will cost them.
In Appalachia, Two Hospital Giants Seek State-Sanctioned Monopoly
Tennessee and Virginia regulators are considering approval of a merger between Mountain States Health Alliance and Wellmont Health System under their state laws. If they allow it, the Federal Trade Commission would be powerless to stop it.
Senate Parliamentarian Upends GOP Hopes For Health Bill
The parliamentarian finds that provisions of the bill cannot go forward with a simple majority vote.
Trump Plan Might Cut Expenses For Some Insured Patients With Chronic Needs
High-deductible health insurance plans linked to a health savings account cannot cover some care and drug expenses for chronic health conditions until the patient has met a deductible.
Depression Among Heart Attack Survivors Can Be Deadly, Yet Is Often Ignored
One in 5 heart attack patients suffers from severe depression, yet many get little or no treatment that could ease their suffering or save their lives.
These Preventive Measures Might Help Delay Dementia Or Cognitive Decline
Recent research shows that controlling blood pressure, exercising and cognitive training around middle age could help prevent cognitive decline or Alzheimer’s disease.
Cruz Plan Gets Thumbs Up From HHS But Thumbs Down From Most Everyone Else
During another day of fast-moving developments, Senate Republicans signaled their intent to attempt to bring an updated repeal-and-delay bill to the floor for a vote next week.
Postcard From Capitol Hill: Lawmakers Put Women’s Health Care In Its Place
Where women prefer to go for health care becomes a proxy for the abortion debate.
Fraud And Billing Mistakes Cost Medicare — And Taxpayers — Tens Of Billions Last Year
At a hearing Wednesday, federal health officials pointed to billing errors, fraud and overcharges that led Medicare to overpay by staggering sums.
Cinco poderosas razones por las que fracasó el proyecto de salud republicano
Mientras surgen los análisis post-mortem sobre el colapso del plan de salud republicano del Senado, es claro cómo problemas politicos y de legislación obraron en contra del esfuerzo por reemplazar ACA.
The failure this week of the U.S. Senate’s ACA repeal effort was one more twist in the ongoing political drama that has complicated routine rate setting for insurers and state officials.
Latinos Left Out Of Clinical Trials … And Possible Cures
Fewer than 8 percent of enrollees in medical studies are Hispanic. Those who don’t participate have less access to cutting-edge treatments, and researchers have less data on how a drug works within the Hispanic population.
Latinos quedan fuera de estudios médicos… y posibles curas
Menos del 8% de los que pacientes en estudios médicos son hispanos. Esto significa que tienen menos acceso a tratamientos de avanzada, y los investigadores tienen menos información sobre cómo funciona una droga o terapia en esa población.
Has California Hit The Brakes In Regulating Breath-Robbing Big Rigs?
The state has made a huge dent in diesel pollution from freight trucks. But critics fear exemptions in a new law will stall progress, especially endangering the health of children and seniors near ports.
Postcard From Capitol Hill: When Health Care Takes a Breather
Sen. John McCain’s surgery impacted Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s ambition to push health care bill forward this week.
Analysis: Senate’s Latest Health Blueprint Cuts Costs At The Expense Of Chronically Ill
The Senate draft bill released Thursday to replace the Affordable Care Act risks creating a high-cost ghetto for those with preexisting conditions or long-term sickness, experts say.
Calif. Hits Nerve By Singling Out Cardiac Surgeons With Higher Patient Death Rates
The controversial practice — done by just a few other states — recently cast a spotlight on some prominent doctors. Supporters say it improves performance; detractors warn it discourages taking on complex cases.
Millions More Uninsured Could Impact Health Of Those With Insurance, Too
The return to high rates of uninsurance expected under GOP plans to repeal and replace Obamacare would mean less access to health care for people with insurance too, researchers say.
