Latest KFF Health News Content

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Federal Appeals Court Strikes Down Portion Of Obamacare

KFF Health News Original

The court, based in New Orleans, agreed with a federal judge in Texas that the individual mandate section of the Affordable Care Act could not stand after Congress eliminated the tax penalty for not having coverage. But the case now heads back to the lower court to see how much of the law can remain.

ACA Individual Mandate Ruled Unconstitutional But Appeals Court Does Not Invalidate Health Law

Morning Briefing

In a closely watched case that could determine the future of the Affordable Care Act, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declared the law’s individual mandate unconstitutional but in need of further analysis.

Why Is This Software Engineer In The Operating Room?: He Might Be Feeling Woozy, But His Technology Could Save People’s Lives

Morning Briefing

At the Mayo Clinic, Zachi Attia is one of five software engineers and data scientists who make the rounds with physicians and discuss way to use AI to improve heart care. News on technology in heath care is on blood-sugar monitoring devices and problems with hackers and electronic records, as well.

Meth Is Far More Potent Than It Ever Was Before But States Can’t Use Opioid Funds To Fight The Rising Crisis

Morning Briefing

Nationally, since late last year, meth has turned up in more deaths than opioid painkillers. But in some instances, advocates hands are tied in trying to combat it. In other public health news: Alzheimer’s, athletes’ brains, food fetishes, racial health gaps, and more.

Teens May Be Drinking Less, Trying Fewer Hard Drugs, But Their Marijuana Vaping Rates Are Skyrocketing

Morning Briefing

Of 12th graders surveyed, 14 percent said they had vaped marijuana in the last month, nearly double the 7.5 percent reported a year ago. The data also echoed earlier statistics about e-cigarettes, with a quarter of high school seniors reporting that they had vaped nicotine within the last month. Meanwhile, the FDA has approved the sales of a low-nicotine cigarette that could help smokers who are trying to quit.

Suicide Accounts For Far Fewer Opioid Overdose Deaths Than Previously Thought, Research Finds

Morning Briefing

Researchers had previously suggested suicide accounted for about 20-30% of all opioid overdose deaths, but a new study suggest that it’s more like 4%. In other news on the crisis: a possible bonus for a Purdue Pharma CEO, another suit against opioid distributors, and more.

Dems Suggest HHS Is Holding Back Significant Amounts Of Relevant Information Over Verma’s PR Contracts

Morning Briefing

The Democratic lawmakers say the agency is being difficult about their request for more information about the contracts that were, in part, meant to help raise CMS Administrator Seema Verma’s public profile. Health department officials, meanwhile, insist they are complying with Democrats’ requests.

Following Inquiries, Border Patrol Reverses Decision To Refuse Entry To 7-Year-Old With Congenital Illness

Morning Briefing

The girl was born with colon problem and global activists say that she was “at great risk of possible systemic infection.” Border agents can exempt migrants from “vulnerable populations,” which has in practice included people with serious illnesses.

Justice Department Sues CVS Over Allegations It Fraudulently Billed Medicare For Stale Prescription Refills

Morning Briefing

The Department of Justice said CVS Health’s troubled Omnicare business was routinely filling prescriptions that had expired or run out of refills. Omnicare distributes drugs to skilled-nursing and assisted-living facilities across the country, and this isn’t its first brush with legal trouble.