Latest KFF Health News Stories
“Hospitals and patients are still getting killed by new million-dollar drugs that won’t see any competition for decades,” said Dan Kistner, group senior vice president of pharmacy solutions for Vizient. In other pharmaceutical news: Roche posts its growth report, Novartis’ gene therapy for infants continues to perform well, CVS figures out a way to help with diabetes medication costs, and scientists dig into the phenomenon of biotech’s “missing girls.”
What’s Billed As Quick, Easy Procedure To Fix Heavy Periods Turns Into Nightmare For Many Patients
MedPage Today investigates the fallout from selling patients on an endometrial ablation with a NovaSure device. Now thousands of women in the U.S. and around the world are taking to Facebook groups and online petitions saying their ablation led to serious issues, and trying to warn others about their experience.
Although Democrats’ plans to expand the health system have dominated much of the 2020 primary season, what has worked for voters in the past is reminding them of popular provisions from the health law that Republicans are chipping away at. Michael Bloomberg is seizing the opportunity to own that messaging. Meanwhile, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is facing more questions about paying for “Medicare for All” as new polls show its losing popularity in battleground states.
Invisible War Wounds Like Traumatic Brain Injuries Often Overlooked But Can Be Devastating
Traumatic brain injuries were recently thrust into the national spotlight after President Donald Trump downplayed the seriousness of the problem. Experts say that’s common for the injuries that can’t be seen. In other public health news: lung-cancer screenings, lab-grown “mini-brains,” airplane safety, chronic inflammation, and fitness apps.
While life expectancy ticked up by the tiniest of margins from 78.6 to 78.7 years, health researchers warned that U.S. had a lower life expectancy than 10 other wealthy nations. News also focuses on maternal mortality rates.
Public Health Experts Warn About A Dangerous Symptom Of Coronavirus: Xenophobia
“More panic, more temptation to blame the outsider — the other,” says Robert Fullilove, a professor of sociomedical sciences at New York’s Columbia University Medical Center. Fullilove is among the experts who are warning that mass hysteria over the coronavirus could lend itself to bigotry and baseless fear.
New FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn has a sterling reputation in the medical field, but little government experience. That could effect his ability to navigate the barrage of public health crises currently gripping the country.
Hospital Star Ratings Get Refresh Despite Pushback From Industry That Methodology Is Flawed
CMS Administrator Seema Verma said in a statement that the ratings were refreshed using the existing methodology because “the American people deserve up-to-date information on how hospitals are performing.”
Wearing masks does little for healthy adults, but psychologically it can soothe some of the panic being created by the coronavirus outbreak. However, that creates shortages for health professionals who actually need the masks to keep from spreading illness. Meanwhile, companies race toward a vaccine and experts turn to AI to help stop the outbreak.
The task force will be headed by HHS Secretary Alex Azar. Meanwhile, Politico takes a look at how President Donald Trump has managed to keep out of the spotlight during the outbreak. In other coronavirus news from the states: cases are on the rise, growing fears lead to Chinese celebrations being canceled, Americans share stories about the evacuation process, how the outbreak is poised to test U.S.’ frayed public health system, and more.
The World Health Organization’s Emergency Committee will meet on Thursday as China continues to battle the spreading virus. Right now, the pace looks alarming, but experts continue to caution that it’s too early to be doing math on the cases. In the beginning of an outbreak research tends to be skewed by the sickest patients. Still, some others are concerned with the apparent ease of human-to-human transmission.
What’s In A Name? Medicaid Block Grant Model Gets A Re-Branding, But Its Objectives Remain The Same
CMS is expected to send letters to states today to encourage them to transform their Medicaid programs into a block grant model that has long been a controversial goal for conservatives. CMS Administrator Seema Verma frames the change as a way for states to invest more money into their most vulnerable population, but critics say it will lead to a loss of coverage for many who need it. Meanwhile, dozens of Democrats have warned the Trump administration that the block grants are illegal.
First Edition: January 30, 2020
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A Guide To Following The Health Debate In The 2020 Elections
As the Democratic primary campaign nears pivotal voting, important aspects of health care policy are being overlooked.
Elecciones 2020: guía para seguir el debate de salud
Precios, tipo de cobertura, formas de acceder a la atención, son algunos de los temas que ya están dominando el debate en este año electoral.
Trump’s Latest Health Care Challenge: Gaining Voters’ Trust
The president, who has repeatedly pledged to improve health care and lower prescription drug prices, faces disapproval from a majority of Americans on his policies regarding drug costs, protecting people with preexisting conditions and the Affordable Care Act.
Appendicitis Is Painful — Add A $41,212 Surgery Bill To The Misery
A young man averted medical disaster after a friend took him to the nearest hospital just before his appendix burst. But more than a year later, he’s still facing a $28,000 balance bill for his out-of-network surgery.
Listen: Colorado Ski Area Opts For Novel Effort To Stop Avalanche Of Health Costs
KHN’s Julie Rovner joins WAMU’s “1A” on Wednesday to discuss an innovative plan by Summit County, Colorado, to directly negotiate with doctors and hospitals to lower health costs.
Le cobran $41,212 por sacarle el apéndice
Nadie le dijo que el hospital estaba fuera de la red del plan médico que tenía a través de su trabajo. En cualquier caso, no hubiera podido irse a otro lugar. Su apéndice estaba a punto de reventar.
Opinion writers express views about approaches to controlling the spread of the coronavirus.