Latest KFF Health News Stories
Media outlets report on news from Minnesota, Arizona, New Hampshire, Florida, North Carolina, Wisconsin, California, Georgia, Maine, Missouri, and Iowa.
The Nuance Behind Those Low Abortion Numbers: Women Are Self-Managing Care With Black Market Pills
“Invisible” abortions are much harder to measure, and the black market for abortion pills has changed the landscape for those lacking easy access to an abortion clinic or preferring to have an abortion in private. In other public health news: memory, tainted drugs, DNA testing, the trauma of researching extremism, mental health, flu vaccines and more.
Six States Issue Warnings About Outbreaks Of Rare Virus From Mosquito Bites After Five People Die
Cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis are on the rise in Michigan, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, North Carolina and New Jersey. While there is no vaccine for the illness, authorities urge people to protect themselves by wearing DEET insect repellents, long -sleeved shirts and pants during dusk and dawn and remove standing water.
The $3 billion is part of a larger settlement with Purdue Pharma, but about half of the states suing the company and the family behind it are unhappy with the amount. Purdue, however, claims that if the protesting states’ suits aren’t blocked then the Sackler family may be unable to contribute even the initial sum that was offered.
Trump Warns Gun Control Will Be Slow Going Amid Ever Increasing Pressure From Democrats
Following reports that Attorney General William Barr was taking Republicans’ temperature on background checks, President Donald Trump says that he’s going slow on his gun proposal plan “to make sure it’s right.” Meanwhile, 2020 candidate Beto O’Rourke, who made waves over buy-back comments in a debate this month, is slamming Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer over his alleged inaction on the issue.
Buttigieg Jabs At Warren’s ‘Evasiveness’ As He Unveils ‘Medicare For All Who Want It’
South Bend Mayor and 2020 presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg rolled out his own health plan this week that would offer Americans a “meaningful public alternative” to private insurance –but let those who are happy with their coverage keep it. He also criticized rival candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) for evading questions about how she would finance her more progressive health plan.
A man in Missouri becomes the eighth confirmed death in the vaping-related outbreak. But despite the hundreds of cases of the illness, public health officials still haven’t been able to pinpoint a single cause. In a sign of how serious the crisis is becoming, the FDA’s office of criminal investigations has begun “parallel investigative efforts.”
Following Public Outrage, DHS Resumes Program To Allow Sick Immigrants To Stay In U.S. To Get Care
The government had quietly changed its policy last month, sending deportation letters to immigrants who were in treatment for life-threatening diseases like cancer and cystic fibrosis, many of whom wouldn’t be able to access care in their home countries. Advocates, lawyers and others deemed the move a death sentence.
Trump Says It’s ‘Great To See’ Pelosi’s Drug Pricing Bill, But McConnell Warns It’s Dead On Arrival
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) released long-awaited drug pricing legislation on Thursday. The plan would allow HHS to negotiate prices for the costliest drugs and then set that standard for commercial sales as well. The bill draws on rhetoric used by President Donald Trump, but is unlikely to gain any traction with congressional Republicans.
House Passes Stopgap Spending Bill To Avert Shutdown, Senate Expected To Vote Next Week
The spending bill would extend funding through Nov. 21 not only for all federal government departments and agencies, but also for a number of health care and community programs.
Carson’s Dismissive Remarks About Transgender People Shock, Upset Staff, Reports Claim
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson, who has a long history of making controversial comments about the LGBTQ community, made the remarks while talking about San Francisco’s homeless crisis.
The $380 million plan is funded through a tax on insurance companies. “By addressing this crisis head-on, we have gone from an individual market on the brink of collapse to two straight years of lower premiums for Marylanders,” Gov. Larry Hogan said in a statement. Other insurance and health care industry news focuses on Medicare Advantage plans, dialysis centers, and hospital lawsuits.
First Edition: September 20, 2019
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Hill Hodgepodge: Pelosi Draws From Democrats, GOP And Trump For Drug Plan
The House speaker announced her plan for lowering drug prices, which includes negotiations between drugmakers and federal health officials.
Invasive Mosquitoes Plunge Deeper Into California
Invasive mosquito species capable of carrying dangerous viruses such as Zika, dengue and yellow fever have been detected in 16 California counties. There’s no evidence the mosquitoes have transmitted these diseases within the state, but health officials urge residents to take steps to slow their spread.
How Cruise Ship Passengers Should Prepare For Sickness Or Injury At Sea
Passengers on massive cruise ships could be struck by norovirus or accidents ranging from falls to broken bones. Then what?
KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: Tennessee Seeks Medicaid Changes
Tennessee wants to convert its Medicaid program to a block grant. But is its plan legal? Meanwhile, Congress continues to struggle with legislation to rein in prescription drug prices and surprise medical bills. This week, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, Jennifer Haberkorn of the Los Angeles Times and Kimberly Leonard of the Washington Examiner join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Rovner also interviews Dr. Marty Makary, author of the new book “The Price We Pay” about why health care costs so much.
¿Qué fue peor: la borrachera de la despedida de soltero o la cuenta por tratar la resaca?
Recuperarse después de su despedida de soltero resultó en una factura médica que inicialmente fue de $12,460, en total. Más del doble del costo de su boda.
Dispositivos de “vapeo” camuflados desconciertan a padres y escuelas
Un mouse de computadora. Una funda para el celular. Mochilas. Unidades USB. Las opciones de kits de “vapeo” que se anuncian en internet son muchas y muy coloridas.
Opinion writers weigh in on these health care topics and others.