Latest KFF Health News Stories
Editorial pages focus on best ways to stem dangers of coronavirus.
The tests that sort through DNA are costly, but Kevin Outterson, a professor of health law at Boston University, says they “advance what we do by more than a century.” Public health news is on mental health, ADHD in adults, mammograms and aging, mental health in jails, unsafe public housing, eye diseases, tetanus, lower sperm counts, and marijuana use among seniors, as well.
Media outlets report on news from New Jersey, Georgia, California, Virginia, Connecticut, Texas, Illinois, New Hampshire, New York, Washington, Hawaii, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Michigan, Pennsylvania, D.C. and Maryland.
Anonymized data is a gold mine for health research–but it’s not going to come easily. The Google researchers experimented with four different ways of de-identifying data, and in the end, even the most labor-intensive methods succeeded in anonymizing only 97% to 99% of the data. Other health technology news focuses on online predators, missing person identification, HHS’ interoperability rules, and video counseling.
1,200 Plus Opioids Given To 3 Sisters: Appalachian Task Force Convicts Tennessee Psychiatrist
The verdict was against Richard Farmer, accused of accepting sexual favors for drugs. “Doctors who take advantage of patients suffering from addiction are no different than street corner drug dealers,” said the DEA’s J. Todd Scott. News on the epidemic is on a drug manufacturer’s proposed settlement, an Arizona candidate’s overdose, treatment in jails, and alleged dangers of relapsing after using Vivitrol, as well.
Juul To Propose Selling E-Cigarette That Will Only Unlock For Users Who Are At Least 21 Years Old
Juul, which has been under public and congressional scrutiny over allegations that it marketed its product for young users, intends to submit to the FDA more than 250,000 pages, including scientific research, marketing materials and an update on its efforts to curb illegal sales to minors. By May 12, for the first time ever, all vaping manufacturers will have to file applications with the agency.
The troubled Indian Health Services has balked at releasing any records about how the agency had handled accusations against Stanley Patrick Weber, who has been convicted of sexually abusing Native American boys.
Insurers Steering Patients Toward Clinics They’ve Bought In New Threat To Hospitals, Providers
“It’s very worrisome for hospitals,” said Chas Roades, a health care consultant. “Suddenly, the plan you’re relying on for payment is also competing with you at the front end of the delivery system.” In other news, Walmart takes on CVS and Amazon, and patients are left floundering when insurer drops doctors.
Immigration Advocates Braced As ‘Public Charge’ Rule Goes Into Effect
The Trump administration rolled out a rule on Monday that advocates say will have a chilling effect on immigrants seeking needed help through programs like Medicaid and food stamps. “It’s sending a message that says, ‘you’re not welcome,’” said Marty Martinez, Boston’s chief of health and human services.
Monday’s majority opinion noted that since Title X began in 1970, its rules regarding abortion referrals have seesawed back and forth, depending on the political party of the administration in power, and that the Trump administration’s rule is slightly less restrictive than a 1988 version upheld by the Supreme Court. Lower courts have deemed the rule “an arrogant assumption that the government is better suited to direct women’s health care than their providers.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) finally released an outline to fund programs like “Medicare for All,” after months of resistance and questions about how he’ll pay for it. But the math still might not add up. Meanwhile, a look at what it means for the candidates not to release their health records.
Some of the earliest coronavirus infections were found in people exposed to a wildlife market in Hubei’s provincial capital Wuhan, where bats, snakes, civets and other animals were sold. Since the inception of the outbreak, health experts have been outspoken about how such places are fertile breeding grounds for viruses. Other news from China looks at health care workers’ infections, pregnant women, and evacuations from Wuhan.
Health experts say China’s extreme response may have saved hundreds of thousands of lives, but as cases continue to spike outside of the country, world leaders brace for a widespread outbreak. WHO, however, continues to maintain that it’s too early to call this a pandemic yet. “Does this virus have pandemic potential? Absolutely it has. Are we there yet? From our assessment, not yet,” said Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Global stocks plunged on Monday as investors finally began to adopt a more pessimistic view of the coronavirus outbreak’s impact on the world’s economy. For President Donald Trump, who has banked on strong growth to propel him into another four years in office, that could spell trouble ahead.
The emergency spending request also includes accessing $535 million previously earmarked to fight Ebola and money from allocated to other federal agencies, for a package totaling $2.5 billion. “To this point, no agency has been inhibited in response efforts due to resources or authorities. However, much is still unknown about this virus and the disease it causes,” acting White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought wrote to congressional leaders. Democrat were quick to slam the funding request as too small for the scope of the outbreak. Meanwhile, Republicans were worried about potential drug shortages as fallout from the virus continues.
First Edition: February 25, 2020
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Needy Patients ‘Caught In The Middle’ As Insurance Titan Drops Doctors
UnitedHealthcare is dropping hundreds of physicians from its New Jersey Medicaid network, separating patients from longtime doctors. Physicians charge the insurer is using its market power to shift business to practices it controls.
The Golden State’s Mixed Record On Lung Cancer
California has one of the lowest rates of new lung cancer cases in the country, attributed largely to its aggressive anti-tobacco policies. But gaps in the state’s health care system mean that people who are diagnosed with the disease, or at a high risk of getting it, often fall through the cracks.
Llegando al corazón del estado físico presidencial, ¿cuánto necesitamos saber?
Con la camada de pre candidatos demócratas a la presidencia más mayor en la historia, el tema de la salud personal forma parte del debate.
Opinion writers weigh in on these health issues and others.