Latest KFF Health News Stories
Health Law Dramatically Helped Combat Racial Coverage Disparities, But That Progress Has Now Stalled
A new study finds that coverage gains made in the early years of the health law are slipping. Researchers blame the shift largely on continued lack of coverage for adults in the 15 states that hadn’t expanded Medicaid.
First Edition: January 16, 2020
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
What The 2020s Have In Store For Aging Boomers
On the bright side, advances in medical science and a push for healthier lifestyles might extend the quality of life for aging boomers. Among clouds on the horizon: ageism, strained long-term care services and the need to work well past retirement age.
Trump’s Claim He ‘Saved’ Preexisting Conditions ‘Part Fantasy, Part Delusion’
The claim, which builds on previous statements and campaign messaging, drew strong reactions.
Warren y Klobuchar dicen que pueden bajar precios de medicamentos sin ayuda del Congreso
Ambas senadoras han patrocinado sus propios proyectos de ley para controlar el aumento vertiginoso de los precios de las drogas recetadas. El Congreso no ha hecho mucho por solucionar este problema.
Sin protección contra los rayos X: cómo la ciencia está repensando los chalecos de plomo
Este tipo de protección está muy arraigada en el imaginario popular y en la práctica médica. Aunque nueva evidencia la pone en tela de juicio.
Opinion writers tackle these and other health issues.
Media outlets report on news from Kentucky, Texas, Massachusetts, Oregon, New Hampshire, Texas, California, North Carolina, Georgia and Michigan.
News on state-level health laws comes out of Florida, Virginia, Georgia, Oregon, California, Kentucky, Ohio, New Hampshire, Connecticut, North Carolina and Arizona.
But one in six of the patients did purchase the products legally, prompting the CDC to reinforce its current recommendations to not use THC-containing e-cigarettes. Vaping news comes out of Ohio and Pennsylvania, as well.
Rising Harms Of Alcohol: Consumption Among Americans Is Higher Than Just Before Prohibition
More than 88,000 Americans die each year, a number that has more than doubled since 1999, as a result of excessive drinking. That figure is higher than opioid-related deaths, according to the CDC. In other public health news, lawmakers express worries about an increase of cocaine overdoses.
Stat offers a glimpse into what pharmaceutical companies are buzzing about at the big annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco. Also on the docket: what role tech will play in the future of the industry, the promise of immunotherapies, “smart pills,” and more.
The tool, which is free, asks users to enter information about their age and gender, then more details about their cancer diagnosis, and then they can see what the survival rates look like for similar patients. In other health and technology news, the American Medical Association wants to connect doctors and startups and a study finds doctors are spending too much time on their electronic devices.
Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-N.Y.) questioned officials at a House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation and Operations hearing about the administration’s efforts to prevent child deaths while in U.S. custody.
“The list reflects a deep concern that leaders are not investing enough resources in core health priorities & systems, putting lives & economies in jeopardy,” WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus tweeted. Public health news is on China’s coronavirus, heart disease, exercise and health, weight loss, postpartum depression, X-ray protection, and home-care workers, as well.
A legal battle for information waged by The Washington Post and the company that owns the Charleston Gazette-Mail reveals the sheer scope of the opioid crisis in the country. “In excess of 100 billion pills is simply jaw-dropping,” said Peter J. Mougey, a lawyer who helped the newspapers obtain the data. The newly released data, which traces the path of pills from manufacturers and distributors to pharmacies across the country, confirms again that six companies distributed the vast majority of the pain pills.
Following Earthquakes, HUD Will Lift Months-Long Block On $8.2B In Disaster Aid For Puerto Rico
Back in September, the Trump administration said it needed to ensure financial safeguards were put in place in light of recent political unrest on the island. The delay in funding incensed Democrats and other critics as Puerto Rico continues to struggle in the aftermath of multiple natural disasters.
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.) say Tennessee’s proposal would create a financial incentive for the state to cut coverage benefits for consumers, because it’s allowed to keep some amount of any of the unspent federal funds it’s awarded. Medicaid news comes out of Kansas and Ohio, as well.
While no Democrat introduced new policy during the debate, the drug pricing interlude served as a refreshing change of pace for a health care conversation that had grown stale in recent months.
Although the domestic agenda was somewhat anchored by discussion of health care, the topic didn’t take center stage like at previous debates. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) focused on the cost of the status quo while moderates like Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) made the argument that debating “Medicare for All” is a pointless since many in Congress don’t support it.