Latest KFF Health News Stories
Mylan To Pay $30M To Settle SEC Probe Related To EpiPen Pricing Case Disclosure
The drugmaker allegedly failed to disclose to the Security and Exchange Commission a possible loss related to a previous Department of Justice investigation over whether the company overcharged for its EpiPen, an allergy treatment.
Idaho Officials Seek Federal Approval For Work Requirements For Medicaid Expansion
The waiver — and others expected from Idaho — could take months to process, but “Medicaid expansion will happen on Jan. 1, 2020, regardless of the status of the waivers,” said Idaho Department of Health and Welfare spokeswoman Niki Forbing-Orr. Other Medicaid news comes from Kansas, West Virginia and Minnesota.
States Get New Federal Funding To Expand Medicaid Options To Treat Opioid Addiction
Among the states that received the grants are Ohio, Rhode Island and Connecticut.
DOJ Brings Charges Against 35 People In $2.1B Medicare Genetic Cancer Test Scam
Reported to be one of the largest health care fraud schemes in history, it worked on many levels involving doctors, telemarketing companies and testing labs.
Trump Administration Health Transparency Policy Triggering Industry Sparks
Also in the news, The Washington Post reports that the administration initially intended to defend the Affordable Care Act. Meanwhile, what’s up with websites advertising “Trumpcare”? In addition, outlets report on developments from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services as well as the Food and Drug Administration.
The New York Times also reports on a recent trip to the border by lawmakers.
CDC Finds Majority Of Patients With Mysterious Lung Disease Say They Were Vaping Marijuana Compound
In two reports released Friday, federal and state health officials report that about three-quarters of patients reported using products that contained THC. Many said they bought the products from nonretail sources such as friends, family members or street suppliers.
Connecticut And Maryland Raise Age Limit To 21 To Buy Tobacco And Vaping Products
The states join a dozen others with the change from 18 to 21 years old. Public health officials, parents and educators have raised warnings about high use of vaping products among teens. Meanwhile, Massachusetts’ plan to temporarily close vaping shops is facing a backlash.
First Edition: September 30, 2019
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Pediatricians Stand By Meds For ADHD, But Some Say Therapy Should Come First
The American Academy of Pediatrics is out with new guidelines on ADHD that some hoped would boost the role of behavioral interventions before medications. But the AAP stuck by its recommendation that children 6 and older should be given medicine combined with therapy after diagnosis.
Her Biopsy Report Was Benign. But The Bill Is A Spot Of Contention.
After a test to rule out cancer, Brianna Snitchler faced a $2,170 facility fee for the hospital’s radiology room used that day.
States Target Vaping With Bans. In California, The Action Is Local.
Several states have adopted bans on vaping products, but California isn’t going that far. Instead, cities and counties in the Golden State are stepping in to prohibit the sale of flavored tobacco products within their jurisdictions — or ban the sale of e-cigarettes altogether.
Listen: Five Oklahoma Hospitals Collapsed – What Happened?
KHN Midwest correspondent Lauren Weber joined StateImpact Oklahoma reporter Jackie Fortiér to discuss why a series of rural hospitals collapsed, leaving hundreds of residents without jobs and their communities without lifesaving emergency medical care.
Opinion writers weigh in on these health topics and others.
Research Roundup: Marketplace Enrollment, Medicare Advantage And Surprise Bills
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Media outlets report on news from Minnesota, Tennessee, Connecticut, Texas, New York, Virginia, Florida, North Carolina, Louisiana, California, Ohio, Georgia and Missouri.
Walgreens, ExpressRX To Buy Bankrupt Fred’s Pharmacy Assets For About $16.4M
Walgreens is looking to pay about $9.4M for pharmacy inventory from Fred’s, while ExpressX wants to buy nonpharmaceutical inventory and take over several leases. Other health and retail news is on Sam’s Club starting a health care pilot program, rising drug prices, and Ranitidine recalls.
CMS Releases Rules Aimed At Relieving Regulatory Burdens For Hospitals, Home Health Centers
The new rules from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services modify discharge planning requirements and allow health systems to share a centralized staff for quality assessment, performance improvement and infection control programs across several hospitals. CMS also finalized another rule that requires that all hospitals have an antibiotic stewardship program. Meanwhile, health care providers are pushing back against a recent Department of Health and Human Services proposal to expand law enforcement’s access to patient records during a criminal investigation.
‘Disheartening And Disappointing’: Suicides Among Active U.S. Military Continue To Rise
The suicide rate for active-duty troops jumped 34% from 2013 to 2018, according to a new Department of Defense report. The Army and Marine Corps experienced the highest suicide rates, but the trend has touched most of the military services. Only the Air Force saw a decrease. Acting Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy and Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville called the report “disheartening and disappointing” in a joint statement.
Federal Judge Denies Drug Companies’ Request To Remove Himself From Upcoming Ohio Opioids Trial
The drug distributors and pharmacies who are defendants in the opioid litigation argued that U.S. District Court Judge Dan Polster should remove himself from the case because of bias. Polster rejected the motion, writing: “Publicly acknowledging this human toll does not suggest I am biased; it shows that I am human.” The massive lawsuit against companies like Walmart, Walgreens, CVS and Rite Aid is scheduled to start on Oct. 21 in Cleveland.