Latest KFF Health News Content

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Abortion-Rights Supporters Fear Loss Of Access If Adventist Saves Hospital

KFF Health News Original

As community hospitals struggle, they often turn to large religious-based hospital groups to bail them out. But that can limit the types of services they offer, especially reproductive health treatment such as abortion.

Advocates Cheer Growing Trend Allowing Babies In Workplace Even In States Where Family Leave Is Available

Morning Briefing

Bosses and co-workers have to support the idea, but due to multiple financial factors young families face, including the high costs of child care, parents are learning that toting junior to the office can be very rewarding. Public health news is on transgender treatments, sex-linked cancers, rare diseases, aging population boom, weight loss drug danger, measles, STDs screenings, clock switching, coffee habits, chronic fatigue, gene-editing technology and air pollution, as well.

Opioids’ Serious Adverse Effects Came Up In Only 12% Of Doctor, Sales Rep Interactions, Analysis Finds

Morning Briefing

And the addictive quality of the painkillers was mention in only 49 percent of the interactions. Meanwhile, 59% of the physicians judged the quality of the scientific information the sales reps provided to be good or excellent. Other news on the opioid crisis comes out of Wyoming.

Georgia Senate Bill Aims To Regulate Pharmacy Middlemen To Achieve Lower Medication Prices

Morning Briefing

But pharmacy benefit managers argued at hearings this week that measure SB 313 will only increase profits for independent pharmacy. Other news is on an emergency measure for free insulin in Minnesota and a potential new herbicide.

CEO Faces Criminal Investigation Following Accusations He Has Not Operated Hospitals With Eye On Public Safety

Morning Briefing

The owner of a St. Alexius Hospital, a facility in south St. Louis, is under criminal investigation and cannot properly manage the facility, an official in its bankruptcy case said. The trustee in the case said in a court filing earlier this month that CEO Grant White has mismanaged St. Alexius and three other hospitals, lied to the court and isn’t trusted by his lenders. Hospital news comes out of Texas, Florida, Washington, North Carolina and Iowa, as well.

Even Governors Who Have Steadfastly Supported Trump Are Raising Concerns About Medicaid Changes

Morning Briefing

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration wrote to CMS that a proposed funding rule that the agency says would increase transparency, integrity and clarity would “cripple” the state’s program. Meanwhile, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker also spoke out about the changes.

Americans Are Still Paying More And More In Health Costs But Not Because Amount Of Care Is Increasing

Morning Briefing

Three-quarters of the rise in costs as found in the annual spending report from Health Care Cost Institute was attributed to hospitals, doctors, drug companies and others raising prices.

Azar Grilled About Administration’s Lack Of A ‘Replacement’ Plan For ACA If It’s Overturned By Supreme Court

Morning Briefing

Although the Trump administration promises that it will protect popular provisions of the Affordable Care Act even if the law is struck down, officials have yet to provide a detailed plan on how they would accomplish that without the less popular parts. HHS Secretary Alex Azar bore the brunt of congressional Democrats’ frustration during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Thursday.

Florida Aims To Increase Regulation Over Vape Shops

Morning Briefing

The American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association and the American Lung Association oppose Florida’s new legislation, saying it’s not enough to solve the issue. Vaping news comes out of Oregon, as well.

Uncertain Of Where Democratic Candidates Stand On Gun Control?: Here’s A Breakdown By Candidate

Morning Briefing

The Los Angeles Times reports that all the Democratic presidential hopefuls agree something needs to be done to change a culture of gun violence, but its story dives deeper to display the candidates’ differences. Other gun control news is reported out of Florida, as well.

McConnell Tees Up Two Senate Votes On Anti-Abortion Bills As Battle Intensifies Ahead Of Supreme Court Case

Morning Briefing

The legislation would ban abortions after 20 weeks and require care for infants born after failed abortions, respectively. Democrats framed the latter as misleading and unnecessary as there are already protections for living children. Abortion news comes out of Virginia, Wisconsin and Iowa.

Abrupt Firing Of Undersecretary Once Again Throws Veterans Affairs Into Turmoil Ahead Of Big Health Revamp

Morning Briefing

VA Secretary Robert Wilkie fired a well-liked top official within the agency in the midst of a controversy over sexual assault allegations from a House staffer. All of this comes as the VA prepares to embark on an ambitious health plan to improve veterans’ access to care. Meanwhile, veterans are demanding an investigation into radium exposure.