Latest KFF Health News Stories
Media outlets report on news from New York, New Hampshire, Ohio, Georgia, California, Maryland, Ohio, Iowa, Minnesota, and Florida.
Federal regulators have launched an investigation into Google’s “Project Nightingale,” in which the company was amassing health data on millions of patients without their knowledge. Ascension, the hospital group involved in the initiative, said that the project is covered by what’s known as a business associate agreement. Meanwhile, a new study confirms that Apple’s smartwatches are able to accurately detect the most common type of irregular heartbeat.
Doctors Paint Dire Picture Of Climate Change’s Negative Health Effects On Children
A new report lays out health problems that will face the coming generations ranging from infectious diseases and worsening air pollution to rising temperatures and malnutrition.
Following Stark Report On Increase In Hate Crimes, Advocates Say Congressional Action Is Needed
The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights says legislation is needed to incentivize police to report hate crimes. An FBI report this week showed the highest levels of violent hate crimes in the U.S. since 2001. In other public health news: alcohol, the pneumonic plague, trial results, gene editing, and texting while walking.
Talking About Mental Health At Work Can Still Be Taboo, But That Costs Businesses In The End
Mental health issues that are kept hidden can be an expensive problem for businesses. Depression alone costs the U.S. economy $210 billion a year, half of which is shouldered by employers in the form of missed work and lost productivity.
The children were the first generation to be raised at home rather than in institutions. But as their parents age, families and advocates wonder what will happen to the vulnerable population. In other health industry news: sky-high medical bills, supply chain tweaks, hospital care at home, and more.
The movement in Congress over e-cigarettes comes as the nation awaits the Trump administration’s decision on the matter.
So far, more than 932,000 people have signed up for 2020 health insurance coverage down from 1.1 million sign-ups this time last year despite the marketplace being stronger than ever.
Nine Student Deaths At USC: Officials Announce Probe About Possibility Of Overdoses, Tainted Drugs
Autopsy reports are still pending on some of the students. Three of the deaths are confirmed as suicides. Meanwhile, the university sent a letter to staff and students Tuesday night warning about the dangers of drug use — specifically opioids — and the potentially lethal mix of alcohol and drugs.
A ‘Transformational Gift’: 3 Universities, Cleveland Clinic To Split $1B For Teaching, Research
Money from the sale of The Lord Corp. is being split evenly between Duke, MIT, USC and the Cleveland Clinic. The $261 million gifts to each institution, considered among the largest contributions ever given to universities, come with few restrictions. In other research funding news, Virginia Tech announces a venture with Children’s National Hospital.
Although deaths from superbugs went down, the number of people sickened increased and superbugs are appearing much more often outside of hospital. “You and I are living in a time when some miracle drugs no longer perform miracles and families are being ripped apart by a microscopic enemy,” said CDC Director Robert Redfield.
Red states are noticing the benefits their neighbors reaped by expanding the program, and are slowly warming up to it themselves. “There’s been a ton of evidence showing large gains in health care coverage, while helping states economically and keeping rural hospitals open,” said Connie Farrow, spokeswoman for Healthcare for Missouri. “And it hasn’t hurt state budgets. It remains a really good deal for states to cover hundreds of thousands of people.” Medicaid news comes from Wyoming, Idaho and Florida, as well.
Trump Wants To Demand U.S. Pays Lowest Price For Drugs Out Of Developed Countries, Azar Says
HHS Secretary Alex Azar says that President Donald Trump isn’t satisfied with just tying drug costs to what other countries pay, he wants to get the best deal. It is still unclear if the proposal will ever go into effect, though, and Azar didn’t commit to anything on Wednesday. Meanwhile, a top aide for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) says they’re hopeful the Trump administration will support the sweeping House drug pricing legislation.
Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-Vt.) standing in the 2020 Democratic primary has only grown since his heart attack, proving that the political thinking of days passed may no longer apply to the current landscape. Meanwhile, Sanders has made some lifestyle changes post-attack.
Justice Department Unveils Gun Violence Plan, But Lack Of Any New Tangible Policies Draws Criticism
The system, dubbed Project Guardian, aims to improve background checks by encouraging federal prosecutors to more quickly contribute information about people whose mental-health history prevents them from owning firearms. But gun control advocates said that an initiative that focuses on enforcement and increased policing makes “no serious effort to address the supply of guns.” Attorney General William Barr blames the impeachment investigation for slowing down potential legislative action.
First Edition: November 14, 2019
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
‘An Arm And A Leg’: Mom Vs. Texas In A Fight To Get Kids’ Hearing Aids Covered
Health insurance in Texas didn’t cover hearing aids for kids — which can cost $6,000 and need to be replaced about every three years. So Stephanie Wittels Wachs teamed up with other moms to lobby the Texas legislature for change, and they won.
A Regulatory Haze: Vape Marketers Are Online, Creating New Headaches For Feds
The subculture around vaping has been fueled by social media, and traditional regulations don’t easily address potential pitfalls.
Dialysis Patients Panic As Financial ‘Life Raft’ Becomes Unmoored
An organization that helps nearly 4,000 California dialysis patients pay for their insurance is threatening to cut off aid in January because of a new law that is expected to reduce dialysis industry profits. Patients fear they won’t be able to afford their life-saving treatment.
Cambio en Medicaid ayudaría a prolongar la atención materna y prevenir muertes
Estados Unidos es uno de los únicos tres países en donde las muertes maternas están en aumento, junto con Sudán y Afganistán.