Latest KFF Health News Stories
Vaping’s Damage To Lungs Goes Beyond Acute Illness To Chronic Risk Of Respiratory Disease
Although much attention has been focused on the recent outbreak of a dangerous vaping-related lung disease, a new study drives home the message that the practice can have longterm consequences as well. In other news, New York bans nearly all flavored e-cigarette products and Texas students face felony charges over vaping.
The vote flew through the New Jersey Assembly and was expected to pass the Senate by a small margin. But when they realized they didn’t have enough votes, lawmakers announced it would be postponed. Cheers from anti-vaccination protesters erupted from the Senate chamber gallery. “They can cheer all they want. We’re not walking away from it,” Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney said. Other vaccination news focuses on measles and the flu.
“Our report shows that Eli Lilly has failed to deliver on its promise to put a more-affordable insulin product on the shelves,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn), who teamed with Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). The cost of insulin has become a stand-in for a larger battle of drug costs because the life-saving medication’s price tag has skyrocketed. In other pharmaceutical news: a dwarfism drug, a bankrupt startup, a novel partnership, a Parkinson’s treatment, and more.
Specialists like anesthesiologists have more power to negotiate higher in-network payments because they’re able to bill so much out-of-network. Limiting that power would have a significant effect on spending, a new study finds. Congress has been working to find a way to curb out-of-network surprise bills, but although they’ve made progress in recent weeks, nothing has passed yet.
Warren Emphasizes Transitional Period To ‘Medicare For All’ As Voters Stress About Industry Upheaval
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) has taken heat for her support of rival Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-Vt.) “Medicare for All” plan. In recent weeks, she’s made a rhetorical pivot to emphasize that consumers will have a choice to opt-in to the program during the three-year transition period she’s proposed.
Congress To Fund Gun Violence Research For The First Time Since 1990s With New Spending Deal
The Dickey Amendment, which was passed in 1996 under pressure from the gun lobby, had a chilling effect on all gun-related government research. The $25 million allocated in Congress’ sweeping spending bill will be split between NIH and the CDC.
“These kinds of attacks need to be taken seriously,” said Allison Nichol, the Epilepsy Foundation’s director of legal advocacy. “There needs to be a very aggressive response, both by the foundation and by law enforcement.” More public health news reports on the mental health impact of fatal shootings, organ donations, some good (yes) and bad news about the flu, disposable one-use scopes, gender spin on research, cosmetics safety, and protections for prostitutes.
The work requirements were a central part in the 2019 race between now-Gov. Andy Beshear (D) and the then-incumbent Matt Bevin (R). Bevin’s plan, which had been blocked by the courts, would have stripped Medicaid coverage for about 100,000 Kentuckians.
How much money the Sackler family has — and where they’re keeping it — is central to discussions about how much they owe in court cases over the role Purdue Pharma played in the opioid epidemic. The family offered to contribute at least $3 billion in cash as part of a settlement to resolve the suits, but a dozen states and other advocates want them to pay more. Meanwhile, Purdue quietly split ways with PhRMA.
Supreme Court Lets Decision Stand That Decriminalizes Sleeping On Street For Homeless People
A lower court ruled that states can’t criminalize sleeping on the street if there are no other options for people. While homeless advocates cheered the news, cities braced for the decision — saying it will handcuff them when they’re trying to deal with a serious safety issue.
Lawmakers released details Monday of a bipartisan deal that would allocate $1.4 trillion in federal spending for the remainder of the fiscal year to avoid a shutdown. Among other health-related measures, it includes a provision raising the minimum purchasing age for tobacco to 21, which advocates say is a “good step” toward a “substantial reduction” in smoking among young people. Media outlets cover the ins and outs of the bills and the ways they touch on health care.
The government heeded calls from advocates, experts and lawmakers to extend the deadline for open enrollment. But some say without an effort to publicize that decision, in addition to the short time window, it won’t help many consumers. The enrollment deadline extends through Dec. 18.
First Edition: December 17, 2019
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Despite Quick Fixes, Kaiser Permanente Mental Health Care Still Lags
Interviews with dozens of Kaiser Permanente therapists, patients and industry experts reveal superficial changes that look good on paper but do not translate into more effective and accessible care.
Valley Fever Cases Climb In California’s Central Valley — And Beyond
California and nearby Southwestern states are seeing a sustained rise in cases of valley fever, a potentially serious lung illness caused by a fungus found in desert-type soil. As a result of global warming, the areas where the fungus can thrive are expanding, researchers say.
Surprising Swings In Momentum For Legislation On Surprise Medical Bills
A legislative compromise on how to curb unexpected out-of-network medical bills has made recent progress. But many insiders expect work to continue into 2020.
Opinion writers weigh in on these health topics and others.
Media outlets report on news from California, Oklahoma, Florida, Oregon, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Iowa, Minnesota, North Carolina and Kansas.
An audit also says the board neglected to evaluate a fair price for the book published by former Baltimore mayor Catherine Pugh.
Health systems are trying innovative ways–like building a warehouse distribution facility and committing to hiring marginalized workers–to improve overall health outcomes. The push is part of a larger trend for health systems to tackle problems beyond just treating patients. In other hospital news: price transparency, co-ops, mental health care, a $1.8 billion settlement, and more.