Latest KFF Health News Stories
Why has there been a nearly simultaneous emergence on different continents of a highly drug resistant fungus that acts like a bacteria? Scientists only have theories, but one is related to climate change. In other public health news: aspirin, age discrimination, puberty, diabetes, the HPV vaccine and more.
Media outlets report on news from Kentucky, Tennessee, Iowa, New Jersey, Maryland, Minnesota, Connecticut, Washington, Oregon, Florida, Texas, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, West Virginia and California.
Opinion writers share their views on the health law and coverage issues.
Rabies Is Completely Preventable And Yet It Still Kills Tens Of Thousands Yearly
And rural, low-income populations are the hardest hit by the virus. To reach zero human deaths, the 120 countries in which the disease is endemic would need to find the money and government support that could be hard to come by.
Wyoming, New Mexico, Montana, Minnesota, Arizona, California and Nebraska have formed task forces to investigate violence against indigenous women. Although advocates are wary that nothing will come from it, they’re pleased with the first step.
Obstetrician-gynecologists are particularly worried about things like faulty or confusing data possibly sending women to their doctors when they don’t need to go or technology that’s simply a waste of money. In other news at the intersection of technology and health care: paying for doctor appointments via apps and an uptick in virtual visits.
Republicans in Missouri attribute the decrease to a better economy and the scuttled individual mandate, but Democrats have suspicions that the computer software is kicking qualified people off the rolls.
“Like everything in health care, it’s just so crazy expensive, and people have to think outside the box,” said Michelle Mills, chief executive officer of the Colorado Rural Health Center. In other news on health care costs, a look at the coverage struggles for those who want to live abroad post-retirement.
The numbers paint a grim picture, but there is a spot of hope. Across all ages, the death rates have declined, albeit more slowly in recent years. In other news on the opioid crisis: a revamped painkiller, drug distributors’ on the defensive, overprescribing habits, needle exchanges and more.
Mark Your Calendars: Pelosi Aide Says Long-Awaited House Drug Pricing Bill Will Drop In September
“Pharma will argue very hard against drug negotiation of the kind we’re talking about,” said Wendell Primus, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s top health care adviser. Progressive House Democrats have been worried for months the plan will not go far enough in taking on drug companies and bringing prices down. Meanwhile, Senate Finance Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) refused to comment on a similarly long-awaited Senate package.
Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue says the change will end what he and congressional Republicans say is a loophole that allows people with gross incomes above 130 percent of the poverty level to become eligible. “This proposal will save money and preserve the integrity of the program,” said Perdue. “SNAP should be a temporary safety net.”
For Tax Purposes 23andMe Genetic Testing Is Medical Care, IRS Rules
23andMe says the decision means consumers can claim up to $117.74 of the $199 cost of a health-and-ancestry kit as medical care for tax purposes. The agency made no ruling on ancestry testing from the same saliva sample. Other news out of the agencies focuses on a pricey nerve pain drug, the battle against “superbugs,” and Medicare’s “hospital-centric payment model.”
Kamala Harris Proposes Clean Drinking Water Plan, With Special Focus On At-Risk Communities
The legislation from Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), a 2020 hopeful, would establish a $10 billion program to allow states to offset the cost of water bills in low-income communities and environmentally at-risk households. “Every American has the right to clean water, period,” Harris said. “We must take seriously the existential threat represented by future water shortages and acknowledge that communities across the country — particularly communities of color — already lack access to safe and affordable water.”
The memo, which was given to Politico, shows that Dr. Leana Wen called abortion “the fight of our time.” While explaining her departure, Wen said she and the board had philosophical differences over how aggressively political to be on the issue. A half-dozen current and former Planned Parenthood staff told politico that Wen’s departure was driven by internal criticism of her management. In other women’s health news: federally funded clinics that focus on abstinence and natural family planning; a fast-growing and controversial antiabortion program in Texas; and a possibility that another state could drop to only one abortion clinic.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Child Drowning Rates Drop As Communities Adopt Stricter Building Codes
Children are far less likely to drown than they were in the 1980s, in California and across the nation. Experts say state and local laws that require more fencing and security features around family swimming pools have made a difference and should be expanded nationwide.
Dream Of Retiring Abroad? The Reality: Medicare Doesn’t Travel Well
More than 400,000 U.S. workers have retired in foreign countries and their ranks are rising. But Medicare doesn’t cover most expenses overseas, so these expats will need to confront the cost of finding alternative insurance.
Missouri Firm With Silicon Valley Ties Faces Medicare Billing Scrutiny
Amid an overall crackdown on private insurers’ Medicare billing practices, a new government audit and a whistleblower suit allege St. Louis-based Essence Group Holdings Corp.’s Medicare Advantage plans overcharged taxpayers.
Viewpoints: Progress Against Opioid Epidemic Is Encouraging, But We Must Not Rest On Our Laurels Now
Opinion writers talk about the opioid crisis and other health care topics.
Dr. Leana Wen speaks out about why she parted ways with Planned Parenthood. And other opinion writers talk about abortion and women’s health care.