Latest KFF Health News Stories
First Edition: January 17, 2020
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
California’s health insurance program for low-income people grew 78% between 2010 and 2019 to 12.8 million enrollees. The federal Affordable Care Act spurred the increase, aided by state policies broadening eligibility.
Employers’ Dream Of Controlling Health Costs Turns To Workers’ Sleep
Sleep is the latest in an ever-growing list of wellness issues — such as weight loss, exercise and nutrition — that firms are targeting to improve workers’ health and lower medical costs.
With Fate Of Roe V. Wade Unsure, Abortion Fight Shifts To New Territory
The Supreme Court in March will hear a Louisiana case that tests whether the new five-member conservative majority is willing to overturn the 1973 decision that made abortion legal nationwide. Even if the court does not go that far, it could hasten the procedure’s demise by saying abortion providers cannot sue on behalf of their patients.
Listen: How High-Deductible Plans Hurt Rural America
KHN senior correspondent Markian Hawryluk joined Colorado Public Radio’s Avery Lill on “Colorado Matters” to discuss his recent story on how high-deductible health plans are especially hurting the financial health of patients and hospitals in rural America.
KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: Trump Takes Credit Where It Isn’t Due
President Donald Trump says he “saved” popular protections for preexisting conditions, even though his administration is in court asking them to be struck down. Meanwhile, Democrats who want to run against Trump in the fall continue to argue among themselves over health issues. And Kansas may become the next state to expand Medicaid. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Tami Luhby of CNN and Shefali Luthra of Kaiser Health News join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss this and more.
Research Roundup: Ethnic Disparities, Heart Health, Postpartum Care And More
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Opinion writers tackle these and other health issues.
Media outlets report on news from Mississippi, New York, Texas, California, Wisconsin, Ohio, Georgia and Florida.
The Maryland bills address background checks, buy-back programs, and restrictions on AM-15 rifles. Meanwhile, a state of emergency has been declared in Virginia ahead of a pro-gun rally at the Capitol.
Romaine Lettuce OK To Eat Again: CDC Declares End To Months-Long Ban Due To E-Coli
The FDA says it’s going to continue to investigate the source of the outbreak that led to the hospitalization of 85 people beginning in September. No one died.
An Unlikely Coalition Of Conservatives Comes Together To Urge North Carolina To Expand Medicaid
A group of business leaders, law enforcement and county officials, all of whom identified themselves as conservative or Republican, say the state has been missing out on an opportunity to help people. While elsewhere red states are starting to be won over to the promises of expansion, in North Carolina opposition remains. Medicaid news comes out of Florida and Kansas as well.
“I have never seen an issue that brought together grassroots people like this,” said Sen. Robert Singer, a Republican who opposed the legislation. His office received thousands of calls and emails from parents afraid for their children. Public health news is also on heart transplants and stem cells, embryo research, loneliness for hospital patients, inequality and longevity, microbe mystery, a documentary on repetitive head trauma, scares about 5G cell towers, mice studies, menopause, and baby boomers’ health, as well.
“I thought, ‘What if people out there don’t know that they have the right to tell those people to screw off?’” said Shaunna Burns, whose TikTok video helped a 22-year-old woman get her hospital bill reduced to zero.
Juul Takes Its Foot Off The Gas On Expanding Overseas Marketplace Amid Crisis At Home
Last year, Juul was going full-speed ahead on expansion, but the vaping outbreak and other setbacks have caused the company to reevaluate. Vaping news comes out of New Hampshire, as well.
Health Officials Can’t Rule Human-To-Human Transmission As Pneumonia-Like Virus Spreads Beyond China
A patient in Japan said he had not visited the seafood market in China where Chinese officials believe the outbreak started. Malik Peiris, a public health virologist at the University of Hong Kong, said, “If that was the case, that there had been no direct exposure to animals, then that is very concerning, for sure.”
Although physician burnout overall decreased slightly from 46% to 42%, a new survey finds. The stage of a doctor’s career might account for much of the age-related differences, rather than something inherently generational, the researchers say. In other health personnel news, a look at the consequences when surgeons don’t use checklists.
The New Hampshire legislation would bar generic drug companies from hiking prices over 50% in a one-year period. A court struck down a similar law in Maryland on the grounds that the state was trying to legislate beyond its borders.
Betting On Medicare Advantage Pays Off Big For UnitedHealth
UnitedHealth executives said they added 370,000 Advantage members during the open enrollment period that ended Dec. 7, which reflects growth of about 140% over the prior annual enrollment period. As the program grows in popularity, insurers clamor for a piece of the lucrative marketplace.
“Medicare for All” has been a hot topic throughout the 2020 Democratic primary race even as its popularity ebbs and flows. Now, as early voting states prepare to head for the polls, advocates hope to bolster sometimes-flagging support for the proposal.