What We're Reading: Home Care for Dialysis; Title X Lawsuit; Addressing Veteran Suicide

Trump Administration Working on Payment Model for Kidney Disease

A new payment model for kidney disease care is in the works, with the Trump administration working on an approach that would shift more treatment to the home rather than at clinics. According to Reuters, the administration is hoping to reduce the $114 billion spent each year to treat chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease. CMS Administrator Seema Verma told Reuters that in addition to favoring home dialysis, the model would improve care in the early stages of disease and increase access to kidney transplants.

California Sues Over Rule Changes to Family Planning Program

A week after HHS finalized rule changes for Title X that would bar clinics that perform abortion or make referrals to providers that do from receiving federal family planning funds, California is suing the Trump administration, claiming that the changes would punish doctors and clinics for giving women a comprehensive understanding of their reproductive options. The New York Times also reported that 20 other states and Washington, DC, have said they would also file a separate lawsuit challenging the rule changes.

Trump Calls for Creation of Task Force Addressing Veteran Suicide

With an average of 20 veteran suicides every day, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order creating a task force to address veteran suicide. Under the advisement of Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie, the task force will create a road map coordinating suicide-prevention efforts, prioritizing collaboration across both public and private sectors in its first year, reported The Wall Street Journal.