Latest KFF Health News Stories
Opinion writers tackle these and other health issues.
Media outlets report on health care news from Utah, Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Florida, California, Maryland, Wisconsin, Missouri, Washington, Texas, North Carolina, Minnesota, and Connecticut.
Walking The Tightrope Between Curbing Vaping Epidemic And Pushing Kids Toward Traditional Cigarettes
Pointing to the decline in traditional smoking numbers, some advocates say that intense regulations on vaping could actually backfire and cause more harm. In other public health news: 9/11 responders’ health, well-child checkups, prostate cancer, suicide rates, baby powder, and more.
Markets Tumble Worldwide On Fears Of Coronavirus Outbreak
Experts caution that it is still too early to understand how big an economic impact the virus will have, but the stock market took a hit on Monday on news of how quickly the virus was spreading within China.
States Work To Identify, Contain Any Possible Cases Of Coronavirus
News stories from across the country look at where patients are being monitored over concerns of infections.
Azar Frustrated That Some Stakeholders Are Fiercely Pushing Back Against Interoperability Rules
The two interoperability proposals, released by the ONC and the CMS early last year, are designed to make it easier for providers, insurers and patients to exchange health data, HHS Secretary Alex Azar says. But some groups have expressed privacy concerns about the changes. Meanwhile, experts say a national patient identifier may help some, but it won’t act as a cure-all for all coordination woes.
Health Tech Company Resolves Allegations It Helped Set Up System To Encourage Opioid Prescriptions
Information technology company Practice Fusion admits to soliciting and receiving kickbacks of nearly $1 million from a “major opioid company.” The Department of Justice says this is the first time criminal action has been taken against an electronic health records vendor over its role in the opioid crisis.
Most teens seeking care aren’t getting permanent surgeries, but rather injections that pause the process of puberty. A new wave of bills from conservative states, including South Dakota and Kentucky, want to make it illegal for doctors to give such care, despite testimony that the injections help diminish depression and suicidal thoughts. “They’re not listening to any health care providers,” said Dr. Alexis Chávez, a psychiatrist. “And they’re advancing something that’s very dangerous to make a statement.”
Do No Harm? Guantanamo Bay Hearings Shine Harsh Spotlight On Doctors’ Roles In Interrogations
A judge is hearing testimony about how Guantanamo Bay inmates were treated, including disturbing accounts about medical professionals’ behavior toward the prisoners. “The physicians were present in interrogations that were harmful and life-threatening, and that violates the first principle of medical ethics: First, do no harm,” said Stephen Xenakis, a psychiatrist and retired Army general.
“With the Ebola epidemic, it was urging quarantines, travel bans, overreacting in all the ways that would be counterproductive. I would hate to see that now,” said Lawrence Gostin, a senior professor at Georgetown University, of President Donald Trump’s past responses to outbreaks. Public officials say the coronavirus isn’t spreading in the U.S. yet, and that threat for Americans remains low. Still, anxiety and panic over the illness is ramping up as the possible cases in the U.S. climbs past 100.
Chinese Government Grapples With Rising Public Fury As Coronavirus Continues To Spread
The death toll from the virus climbs past 100, with thousands of more cases reported. Chinese officials are trying to stem a tide of criticism over how they are handling the outbreak. U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci criticized Chinese leaders for not inviting U.S. and other international investigative agencies to join them in researching the new virus.
How Insulin Prices Have Become A Clear, Simply Rallying Cry For 2020 Democratic Candidates
Unlike other health care issues, the rise in insulin prices isn’t that complicated. The personal stories of patients rationing insulin with fatal results paints a clear picture of pharmaceutical companies profiting that candidates can leap upon. In other pharmaceutical news: Democrats target Republicans over high drug costs, presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg wants to go after patent protections, pharma bro Martin Shkreli faces new fraud accusations, and more.
The new rule would allow officials to deny permanent legal status to immigrants who are likely to need public assistance, like Medicaid or food stamps. In the past, only substantial and sustained monetary help or long-term institutionalization counted against applicants.
First Edition: January 28, 2020
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Conceived Through ‘Fertility Fraud,’ She Now Needs Fertility Treatment
Years ago, doctors sometimes lied about whose sperm they used for artificial inseminations. Could it happen now? Some argue regulation is weak in the multibillion-dollar fertility treatment industry.
California Reopens The Single-Payer Debate
A high-profile commission created by Gov. Gavin Newsom will convene for the first time Monday to discuss how to get every Californian covered. But don’t expect the state to adopt a single-payer system anytime soon.
An Attack Ad That Claims Michigan Sen. Gary Peters Supports ‘Medicare For All’ Doesn’t Hold Up
This one is a big stretch.
Opinion writers tackle these and other health issues.
Media outlets report on news from Alabama, Washington, Texas, Alaska, Massachusetts, Illinois, Missouri, California, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Oregon, North Carolina, Maryland and Kansas.
At least 91 out of 95 counties in Virginia have declared themselves “sanctuaries” against gun control laws passed by the state. The battle in Virginia has drawn national attention. Gun violence news comes out of Tennessee and Texas, as well.