Latest KFF Health News Stories
FDA Wants Women To Receive Stronger Warnings About Risks Associated With Breast Implants
The FDA proposed on Wednesday that manufacturers detail possible complications from the devices, including rare cancers, a range of other symptoms and the need for additional surgeries. The move is a response to complaints from patients who said they weren’t adequately told about potential problems before surgery.
The possible failure of the program to launch as successfully as health officials had hoped could signal struggles ahead with similar initiatives targeting the social detriments of health.
Stephen Hahn Of Texas’ M.D. Anderson Cancer Center To Be Nominated As Head Of FDA, Reports Say
Dr. Stephen M. Hahn has been long eyed as a contender for the spot, and would replace acting chief Ned Sharpless if he was nominated. Current and former colleagues of Hahn’s describe him as being collegial, funny and intensely smart.
Those in the health industry are closely watching the giant’s move as it dips its toes into the health care space.
As Vaping Devices Evolve, New Potential Hazards Emerge
The technology for vaping has changed over the years, and researchers are finding more evidence that the way vaping devices and e-liquids interact could harm consumers.
In a $260 million settlement between drug companies and two Ohio counties, the plan to donate the drug that helps treat addiction makes up a big chunk of that money. Experts, however, say the primary barrier to getting more people into treatment is not the cost of the drug. On top of that, an analysis shows that for Teva Pharmaceuticals, the donation of the drug will not cost the company as much as it seems like it will.
To Stop Mass Shootings, Law Enforcement Should Employ Anti-Terrorism Tactics, Barr Tells FBI
Attorney General William Barr’s memo to the FBI focused on utilizing “effective disruption and early engagement tactics that were born of the posture we adopted with respect to terrorist threats.” In other news, while some schools are hardening their security, others are looking for a more holistic approach to keeping kids safe.
The second round of blackouts are going into effect and while some might be shorter than the last time, more customers might be affected this weekend when stronger winds are forecast. News on California wildfires looks at the slow recovery efforts in Paradise, as well.
Many Taking Biogen’s Enthusiasm Over Revived Alzheimer’s Drug With Largest Grain Of Salt Possible
The Alzheimer’s research field has been littered with crushing disappointments and there aren’t many who are convinced Biogen’s drug will produce anything but another one.
More than a million children have been dropped from state Medicaid rolls since 2017. While government officials tend to frame that as a success story resulting from a stronger economy, advocates say instead that many of those children are probably going without any insurance at all. In other Medicaid news: Arizona hits pause on work requirements; a look at gubernatorial races that could be swayed by Medicaid issues; and more.
Anthem’s medical-loss ratio was higher than anticipated. The company said that the MLR has been pushed up by its Medicaid business, an issue it also flagged last quarter.
Twenty more insurers are joining the federal exchanges and the average premium for the benchmark plan will drop by 4% next year in the 38 states using the federal Obamacare exchanges. While the Trump administration credits its own efforts, health experts were quick to push back on that, saying instead that the marketplace is stronger because insurers have raised rates high enough in recent years to make selling plans on the exchanges a profitable businesses.
The Global Fund, attempting to end epidemics of malaria, TB and HIV by 2030, cites the need for additional funding of $46 billion in part because of how climate change impacts the diseases. Other news on public health reports on the “white-male-genius” stereotype, traffic deaths, Halloween safety, racial disparity in research funding, polio, C-sections, PTSD, cancer treatments, blood pressure, and more.
As Missouri works to shut down its last remaining clinic, a new Planned Parenthood facility in Illinois — 15 miles from downtown St. Louis — prepares to absorb the patients beyond its own borders. Meanwhile, a judge blocks an Oklahoma law that would have allow doctors to face felony charges if they didn’t inform their patient about abortion reversals.
Only a small percentage of vapers have been effected by the current outbreak. It’s more likely that the true extent of the negative health effects will be seen in the future. In other vaping news: increased scrutiny of the devices; marijuana and vaping’s tangled past; an increase in cigarette use; a look at the black market; and more.
Experts weigh in on how Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) could pay for Medicare for All, something she took flak over dodging during the last debate. Those options include taxing the wealthy, raising payroll taxes, and slashing spending elsewhere.
CMS Administrator Seema Verma faced a hostile House Energy and Commerce Committee and defended the Trump administration’s action on health care. However, she wouldn’t give specifics on a plan for what happens if the Affordable Care Act is ruled unconstitutional. Meanwhile, some states are crafting contingency plans in case the health law falls.
Politico takes a look at how health leaders in North Carolina, with bipartisan buy-in, are improving how health care is delivered and addressing the underlying social and economic drivers of poor health and high costs.
First Edition: October 24, 2019
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.