Latest KFF Health News Content

Latest KFF Health News Stories

In 2009, FDA Was Sent An E-Cigarette Device With A Warning That A Vaping Crisis Was Coming. What Happened In The Next Ten Years?

Morning Briefing

Ten years after that warning, the FDA has not vetted the vast majority of vaping devices or flavored liquids for safety. Where did everything fall through the cracks? In other news on the vaping crisis: social media messaging, reported re-hospitalizations, a name for the mysterious vaping-related lung illness, state bans, and more.

Trump’s ‘Public Charge’ Rule Blocked By 3 Federal Judges; Deemed By One As ‘Repugnant To The American Dream’

Morning Briefing

The rule that has sparked fierce pushback would allow immigration officials to consider whether a person is using federal aid programs, such as Medicaid, when deciding on their green card eligibility. While three separate judges ruled against the policy, many expect it to eventually land in front of the Supreme Court.

Sharp Questions From Appeals Court Judges Cast Doubt On Future Of Medicaid Work Requirements

Morning Briefing

All three judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit had pointed questions from Trump administration lawyers during oral arguments on the legality of allowing states to add work requirements to their Medicaid programs.

A Decision On The Future Of The Health Law Is Poised To Drop Soon. This Is What’s On The Line.

Morning Briefing

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals could deem the health law unconstitutional in its ruling in Texas v. Azar, a decision that could come as early as this month. Although the Affordable Care Act will remain the law of the land for a while no matter what the court decides, it could throw some things — like enrollment numbers — into flux. Meanwhile, a new study shows the impact the health law has had on patients with diabetes.

Warren Faces Increasing Pressure To Explain How She’d Pay For A ‘Medicare For All’ System

Morning Briefing

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) says that she supports rival candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-Vt.) health care plan. But she also has faced criticism from members of her own party that she’s been “evasive” when it comes to paying for such a system. Other news on the elections looks at more candidates’ health plans, where the Democrats stand on gun control, and the pregnancy discrimination story that inspired women to speak out.

California’s New Transparency Law Reveals Steep Rise In Wholesale Drug Prices

KFF Health News Original

Pharmaceutical companies raised the wholesale cost of their drugs by a median of nearly 26% from 2017 to early 2019, according to California’s first-ever report stemming from a new drug price transparency law. Prices for generic drugs rose nearly 38% during that time.

Rescates del 911 relacionados con la salud mental, sin policías

KFF Health News Original

Denver es una de al menos ocho ciudades que está considerando implementar un programa que busca despenalizar y mejorar el tratamiento de las personas con enfermedades mentales graves.

Aumentan las líneas de ayuda para dejar de vapear

KFF Health News Original

Funcionarios de salud están investigando 1.299 casos en 49 estados y el Distrito de Columbia, incluyendo al menos 26 muertes, de enfermedad pulmonar vinculada al vapeo.

Age-Old Health Care Debate Shifts From Insuring More People To Cutting Costs

KFF Health News Original

U.S. political parties for years have argued about the role of government in providing health care and expanding coverage to more people. But as the cost of medical services continues to grow faster than most Americans’ incomes, even people with private insurance coverage are finding the cost of care becoming unaffordable, KHN’s Julie Rovner writes in a new article in BMJ.

Americans Are Internalizing Political Rhetoric About Link Between Mental Health And Violence

Morning Briefing

New research reveals that Americans’ fear about the dangers of those suffering with mental health problems is increasing as leaders and politicians continue to emphasize those myths. On World Mental Health Day, media outlets examined this and other topics relevant to the global conversation.

Letting Your Child Smoke And Letting Him Play Tackle Football Are Similar Dangers, Advocates Warn

Morning Briefing

Why does a new public service announcement warning about the dangers concussions have on young brains spotlight smoking? “The younger I start, the longer I’m exposed to danger,” a voiceover says. Public health news looks at men’s breast cancer, research on koala viruses, and warnings about an STD epidemic, as well.

For Vulnerable, Sick Californians Who Rely On Medical Equipment, Power Outages Stoke Fear And Resentment

Morning Briefing

“For people with disabilities it can be life or death,” said Sunday Parker, who uses a wheelchair and lives in Oakland, parts of which were affected by the historic, sweeping shutdowns. Gov. Gavin Newsom slammed PG&E for the decision, calling the outages “unacceptable.”