Latest KFF Health News Content

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Health Officials Blame ‘Vast Majority’ Of Vaping Illnesses On Vitamin E Acetate, But Don’t Rule Out Other Chemicals

Morning Briefing

The cause of the vaping-related illnesses has long-stumped health officials, but they had been slowly zeroing in on vitamin E oil in recent weeks. Although there has been a drop in emergency room visits for vaping-related lung injuries, government officials emphasized new cases continue. And officials are warning that the patients are prone to relapse.

Johnson & Johnson’s Court Victories Start To Stack Up As Jury Clears Company Of Responsibility For Woman’s Cancer

Morning Briefing

The verdict is Johnson & Johnson’s eighth trial victory in talc cases this year, its fourth win since October and its second triumph last week. The scorecard is a reversal of earlier cases where the company was getting battered. In other health industry and insurance news: J&J acquires remaining stake in Verb Surgical; Cigna partners with Prime Therapeutics; Mayo Clinic taps IT vet for digital business; and more.

Behind The Doors Of ICE’s Detention Facilities: Sexual Assault, Use Of Force, Poor Medical Care And Deaths

Morning Briefing

An in-depth investigation from USA Today reveals a system plagued with complaints about detainees safety and care. With much of the nation’s attention focused on the separations at the border, the detention facilities can sometimes fly under the radar. Meanwhile, an internal DHS watchdog found no wrongdoing in the deaths of two migrant children who were in U.S. custody last December.

Culture Wars Over Transgender Rights, Abortion, Safe-Injection Sites To Dominate 2020 State Legislative Sessions

Morning Briefing

The state battles that experts expect to see in 2020 reflect a deepening cultural divide within the country over how to address public health issues. Republicans still control a majority of state capitals, but Democrats have made gains in recent years. The dynamic could set off some fireworks in the coming year. Meanwhile, hospitals are fighting state-level laws to rein in health care costs, foreshadowing issues that might come in any federal push to do the same.

Soaring Homelessness In California Drives Nation’s Rates Up Again For Third Year In Row, HUD Reports

Morning Briefing

Although there was a decline in homeless rates in 29 states and D.C., California’s skyrocketing numbers offset those gains. Senior Trump administration officials visited California in September to troubleshoot ways to minimize homelessness, after which the issue became politically fraught as President Donald Trump and California’s leaders publicly bickered over what was to be done about the crisis. Media outlets take a look at homeless issues across the country, as well.