Trending News Today: Federal Funding Targets Opioid Overprescribing

Cardiac rehabilitation programs have been shown to improve quality-of-life and prevent additional cardiac problems, but few eligible patients participate in the programs. Women and minorities are the least likely to participate in these rehabilitation programs, according to Kaiser Health News. However, due to increased readmission penalties from the federal government, these programs may become more popular.

The US federal government will distribute $53 million to various states to fight opioid misuse. The additional funding will focus on reducing the over-prescribing of opioids and increase treatment access, according to The New York Times. The government is also asking Congress to approve $1.1 billion in funding to expand treatment.

There will be approximately 2.1 million Americans that have to switch Affordable Care Act plans due to insurer withdrawals this year. A majority of Affordable Care Act exchanges will be facing little or no competition, which can be limiting to customers, and could increase costs. Healthy people may not be signing up for coverage if they do not qualify for high subsidies, and can increase costs even further, according to USA Today.