Latest KFF Health News Stories
The results applied only to those who drank moderately for decades, according to the Korean research. Other public health stories report on the benefits of using olive oil instead of butter, links to diabetes, growth of gene therapy, causes of physician distress and the rise of paramedical tattoos.
“I also agree that the situation could be worse than what we have now, and it could be at pandemic level,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “But what at the same time we are saying is there are countries that with this situation that have shown that it can be contained so we should not give up.” Media outlets take a look at the global response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Government Health Plans To Pay For Testing; Private Insurers Vow To Ease Cost Concerns As Well
As federal officials promise that Medicare, Medicaid and ACA plans will have the costs of their tests covered, some private insurers promise they will cover diagnostic testing when ordered by a doctor, ease network, referral and prior authorization requirements and/or waive patient cost sharing. States have been taking steps to ease cost concerns over testing, as well.
States Scramble To Contain Outbreak As Coronavirus Cases In U.S. Sail Past 200
State officials across the country are asking thousands of residents to self-quarantine in a desperate hope of heading off an outbreak in the country. At least three states have declared emergencies to better ramp up their response efforts. Among the states that are confirming cases are California, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington and Texas.
Most people who get the coronavirus will only develop mild symptoms. But because of the extra burden on local health systems and how the virus spreads to older, more vulnerable populations, the virus’ repercussions run deeper than just mild inconvenience. In other news: we’re learning more each day about the virus; kids seem to be less susceptible but they can still spread infection; the fast-moving nature of the virus makes it hard to understand and contain; the EPA releases a list of disinfectants people should be using; and more.
Listen: How Paramedical Tattoos Provide Healing
KHN Midwest correspondent Cara Anthony spoke with “The 21st” host Jenna Dooley about an Illinois tattoo artist who is changing lives by inking nails on finger amputees, mocking up belly buttons after tummy tucks and fleshing out lips after dog attacks.
KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: A ‘Super Tuesday’ For The Health Debate?
The wide field of Democrats vying to face President Donald Trump in the fall has been reduced to two major candidates, former Vice President Joe Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, each with a different prescription for the health system. Meanwhile, Congress and the Trump administration scramble to address the spread of the novel coronavirus. And the Supreme Court agrees to consider the latest case against the Affordable Care Act. Kimberly Leonard of the Washington Examiner, Tami Luhby of CNN and Emmarie Huetteman of Kaiser Health News join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss this and more.
Opinion writers weigh in on these health care topics and others.
Opinion writers weigh in on these and other topics surrounding coronavirus.
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Media outlets report on news from Michigan, Connecticut, Maine, New York, Georgia, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Texas, and New Jersey.
Media outlets take a look at the global response to the coronavirus outbreak.
U.S. District Judge James Boasberg cited a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit throwing out HHS’ approval of Arkansas’ similar waiver. The appellate panel’s unanimous opinion said the waiver approval was not consistent with the primary objective of the Medicaid statute, which is furnishing medical coverage.
Dr. Bruce Aylward led WHO’s team that visited China during the early days of the outbreak. He shares lessons he’s learned from that experience. Meanwhile, a spike in new cases in Wuhan reverses three straight days of declines. In other news out of China: a spike in infections in kids, life on the front lines, a spotlight on the labs handling pathogens, and more.
Although the United States is a rich country, much about the work force policies and health system infrastructure make a nimble and effective response difficult in times of crisis. But some state officials want to ease residents’ minds: “We are taking action,” they say.
“It’s human nature to want to touch your face,” said Dr. Otto Yang, an infectious diseases expert at UCLA. But it’s also quite a bad habit during a viral pandemic. Being mindful of your hands is the first crucial step in the process of stopping. Also, don’t get frustrated, it’s more difficult than it seems, experts say.
All Patients Need Is A Doctor’s OK To Get Coronavirus Test. But Is There Enough To Go Around?
Some worry that a surge in coronavirus testing by people who have no real need may divert resources from seriously ill patients whose diagnosis is unknown, and wish the government hadn’t been so broad in giving doctors the final say in the testing.
California reported its first coronavirus death–a man who was elderly with underlying medical conditions and had been exposed to the illness while partaking in an international cruise. The case wasn’t discovered until the ship was back at sea. Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency and won’t let the passengers disembark. The CDC is sending test kits out to the ship. Meanwhile, Washington reported another death tied to the outbreak in a Seattle-area nursing facility.
Vertex Dustup With Canada Over Expensive Cystic Fibrosis Drug Follows Clashes With Other Countries
Treatments have been approved by Health Canada, but advocates say the government doesn’t want to engage with the drugmaker so patients without private insurance are suffering. News on the pharmaceutical industry is also on Sanofi’s case for its high insulin prices, Georgia’s proposals to regulate drug costs, and Costco’s partnership with a pharmacy benefit manager.
Special reports by PBS and The Wall Street Journal charge the agency with missing warning signs, trying to silence whistle blowers and merely relocating the pedophile doctor. Other administration news is on a new proposal to protect confidential therapy reports of immigrant children.