Latest KFF Health News Stories
Lawmakers released details Monday of a bipartisan deal that would allocate $1.4 trillion in federal spending for the remainder of the fiscal year to avoid a shutdown. Among other health-related measures, it includes a provision raising the minimum purchasing age for tobacco to 21, which advocates say is a “good step” toward a “substantial reduction” in smoking among young people. Media outlets cover the ins and outs of the bills and the ways they touch on health care.
The government heeded calls from advocates, experts and lawmakers to extend the deadline for open enrollment. But some say without an effort to publicize that decision, in addition to the short time window, it won’t help many consumers. The enrollment deadline extends through Dec. 18.
First Edition: December 17, 2019
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Despite Quick Fixes, Kaiser Permanente Mental Health Care Still Lags
Interviews with dozens of Kaiser Permanente therapists, patients and industry experts reveal superficial changes that look good on paper but do not translate into more effective and accessible care.
Valley Fever Cases Climb In California’s Central Valley — And Beyond
California and nearby Southwestern states are seeing a sustained rise in cases of valley fever, a potentially serious lung illness caused by a fungus found in desert-type soil. As a result of global warming, the areas where the fungus can thrive are expanding, researchers say.
Surprising Swings In Momentum For Legislation On Surprise Medical Bills
A legislative compromise on how to curb unexpected out-of-network medical bills has made recent progress. But many insiders expect work to continue into 2020.
Opinion writers weigh in on these health topics and others.
Media outlets report on news from California, Oklahoma, Florida, Oregon, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Iowa, Minnesota, North Carolina and Kansas.
An audit also says the board neglected to evaluate a fair price for the book published by former Baltimore mayor Catherine Pugh.
Health systems are trying innovative ways–like building a warehouse distribution facility and committing to hiring marginalized workers–to improve overall health outcomes. The push is part of a larger trend for health systems to tackle problems beyond just treating patients. In other hospital news: price transparency, co-ops, mental health care, a $1.8 billion settlement, and more.
Officials declared the attack, which left three people dead, an act of domestic terrorism. Other gun violence news comes out of New York, Florida and Oregon.
Appeals Court Blocks Mississippi’s 15-Week Abortion Ban
Several states have been proposing strict abortion laws aimed at spurring the more conservative Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade. News on women’s health issues is from Ohio, as well.
“Our data indicate that there are no low-risk procedures among patients who are frail,” concluded Dr. Daniel Hall, whose study was recently published in JAMA Surgery. Public health news is also on halting work on new vaccines, dealing with social anxiety at parties, questioning safe use of marijuana, getting a good night’s sleep, using color to stem migraines, the flu death toll, top health searches on Google, new goals for ”Biggest Loser,” the ”staggering” challenge of measles, problems with Medicaid’s prenatal care, critics of a food safety device, and dying at home.
The Army says inspectors have visited 49 bases, and found that residents at 48 of them reported concerns over safety and environmental issues — the top concerns being mold, lead-based paint, asbestos, poor water quality and exposure to sewage. Other news about the health of military families focuses on “forever chemicals” as well as medical malpractice claims.
The memo obtained by BuzzFeed News also said that the care resulted in two preventable surgeries, including one on an 8-year-old boy. The memo describes what happened to 17 different immigrants who were held at nine facilities across six states, from Georgia to Washington.
Frustrated With Cumbersome, Clunky Diabetes Devices, Patients Are Turning To DIY Technology
Many feel like the tools available on the market weren’t built by people actually living with the disease, and so those with technology experience are taking matters into their own hands. In other health and technology news: virtual reality, the data Catch-22, prosthetics, cyberattacks, and Apple’s push into the health industry.
FDA Approves Expanded Use Of Fish-Oil Based Drug For Patients With Multiple Risk Factors
The approval reverses decades of mixed results for fish-oil-based drugs and could result in Vascepa being prescribed to millions of patients. Amarin, the drug’s maker, set a list price of $303.65 per month.
Are e-cigarettes helpful as a tool for smokers to help them quit? Depends on who you ask. In other news: more on the investigation into the vaping-linked lung disease and the ground zero of an epidemic.
The Boston Globe and ProPublica reviewed thousands of pages of legal, criminal, medical and child welfare records, along with recorded interviews, to piece together a full picture of the failings of the government to properly track and address child abuse.
How Purdue Pharma Is Cashing In On Both Sides Of The Opioid Epidemic
One of the company’s affiliates is pushing hard to market naloxone, an anti-overdose medication. “You’re in the business of selling medicine that causes addiction and overdoses, and now you’re in the business of selling medicine that treats addiction and overdoses?” asked Dr. Andrew Kolodny, a critic of Purdue Pharma. Meanwhile, a $64 million plan to fight opioid addiction in New Hampshire gets mixed reviews.