Latest Morning Briefing Stories
4 Takeaways From Trump’s Plan To Rescind CHIP Funding
President Donald Trump is recommending that Congress approve his plan to take back about $7 billion in funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Plan. Experts are divided about whether it would have any effect.
Medicare Beneficiaries Feel The Pinch When They Can’t Use Drug Coupons
Federal law prohibits them from using the coupons drugmakers offer to help patients cover their share of a medicine’s cost.
How The Farm Bill Could Erode Part Of The ACA
A provision of this massive legislation would provide funding to help agricultural groups set up association health plans — a longtime GOP-favored mechanism to reduce health insurance costs for small groups.
Use Of Psychiatric Drugs Soars In California Jails
A combination of factors has led to an “astronomical” increase in mentally ill inmates, followed by increased efforts to identify those who need prescriptions. Some say the meds are underprescribed; others, that they are given inappropriately, without the benefit of comprehensive treatment.
Federal Officials Say No-Go To Lifetime Limits On Medicaid
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services rejects a plan by Kansas to cap benefits at three years.
Today’s Special: Obamacare Menu Labeling Rules Ushered In
Restaurants, convenience stores, vending machines and pizza delivery services are among the businesses that will have to provide calories counts to consumers.
Alarming Suicide Rate Jolts Texas Community Into Action
Tyler, Texas, and the surrounding county has the highest suicide rate among the state’s 25 most populous counties, and community leaders are determined to change that.
‘Pharma Bro’ Shkreli Is In Prison, But Daraprim’s Price Is Still High
The saga of Martin Shkreli and Turing Pharmaceuticals focused a lot of attention on prescription drug prices, but no reversal of the exponential price increases for the lifesaving drug Daraprim resulted. The story offers an object lesson into the interworkings of the pharmaceutical market.
Weak Oversight Blamed For Poor Care At California Nursing Homes Going Unchecked
The scathing report cites a significant increase in cases of poor care — especially ones with the potential to cause serious injuries or death. A state lawmaker called the findings “very, very disturbing.”
Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ Medicaid, Privacy And Tom Price’s Return
Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Joanne Kenen of Politico, Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times and Alice Ollstein of Talking Points Memo discuss the latest on states’ efforts to reshape their Medicaid programs, the kerfuffle over President Donald Trump’s medical records and comments by former Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price about Congress’ repeal of the Affordable Care Act’s “individual mandate” penalty. Rovner also interviews Harvard professor Robert Blendon about the complex politics of health in the coming midterm elections.
Sprained Your Ankle? The Cost Of A Brace Could Sprain Your Wallet.
Your health insurance might not cover items such as wheelchairs, walkers, crutches and braces, or you may have to deal with a supplier that has a contract with your insurer.
As Proton Centers Struggle, A Sign Of A Health Care Bubble?
Companies pushed proton machines and counted on advertising, doctors and insurers to ensure a steady business treating cancer. But the dollars haven’t flowed in as expected.
‘A Persistent Puzzle’: Californians Embrace Medicaid — But Food Stamps? Not So Much.
The Golden State ranks near the bottom in its enrollment of eligible people in the food assistance program known as SNAP. Now state officials want to tap its robust Medicaid rolls to boost SNAP signups.
Postcard From D.C.: Kicking Around The ACA? For Tom Price, That’s So 2017.
The former secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services says the law eliminating penalties for most people who don’t have insurance coverage will hurt the insurance marketplaces.
Family Caregivers Are Getting A Break — And Extra Coaching
Across the country, community groups, hospitals and government agencies are stepping in to support the estimated 42 million family caregivers.
How A Drug Company Under Pressure For High Prices Ratchets Up Political Activity
Denmark-based drugmaker Novo Nordisk has invested more in lobbying and doubled political donations since 2015.
Tax-Funded Mental Health Programs Not Always Easy To Find
Revenue from California’s Mental Health Services Act has funded billions of dollars in mental health programs across the state, but finding out what’s available — and to whom — could be a challenge for consumers.
Best Reads Of The Week From Brianna Labuskes
Newsletter editor Brianna Labuskes, who reads everything on health care to compile our daily Morning Briefing, offers the best and most provocative stories for the weekend.
Dissecting The Rhetoric Vs. Reality Of Trump’s Tough Talk On Drug Prices
President Donald Trump’s upcoming speech on drug prices comes after months of public comments and debate about tackling the issue.
Male OB-GYNs Are Growing Rare. Is That A Problem?
Nationally, women outnumber men as specialists in obstetrics and gynecology — yet women remain underrepresented in leadership roles. Many OB-GYN patients say they prefer female doctors, as residency programs strive for diversity in race, ethnicity and even gender.
