Latest KFF Health News Stories
The VA placed the regional leader, chief medical officer and seven staff members on administrative leave while launching an investigation into the nursing home. “His room had ants, the ceiling, the walls, the beds. They were everywhere,” said Laquna Ross the patient’s daughter.
Tennessee Reveals $7.9B Plan To Shift Medicaid Into Controversial Block Grant System
The plan’s likelihood of ever being implemented, however, remains largely unknown. To date, no state has been given permission to rely solely on block grants to cover Medicaid expenses. Gov. Bill Lee, however, remains hopeful, pointing to the fact that the Trump administration has been encouraging states to take more control of their programs.
Judge Sides With Hospitals Over Medicare Payments For Clinic Visits
U.S. District Judge Rosemary Collyer said in her ruling that the Trump administration overstepped its authority when issuing its so-called site-neutral pay policy. The decision is a big win for hospitals, who in their original complaint led by the American Hospital Association projected cuts of about $380 million this year and $760 million in 2020. In other CMS news: skilled-nursing facilities and bundled radiation therapy payments.
The report highlights a “lack of continued political will” from national leaders who aren’t devoting enough energy and resources to disaster preparation. Other public health news looks at declining childhood mortality, online recruiting by white supremacists, fetuses harmed by pollution, caring physicians on the border, food safety at pork plants, additional treatment for Alex Trebek, erotica, and poop shame, as well.
Stat looks at a Facebook group that is salvation for two wives living hundred of miles apart who both care round-the-clock for their spouses, yet can always find each other or someone online to find solace. News on caregiving also looks at a twist life can take when someone dies.
President Donald Trump — who is using a visit to California to drive home his point about the homeless crisis in the state — echoes some of the same points that California leaders have been making for years. The solution to the problem, though, is likely to be far from bipartisan. Meanwhile, local officials are still “baffled” about a potential Trump administration shelter plan.
Biden-Sanders Rift Over Health Care Is Front-And-Center At Key Labor Union Event
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and former Vice President Joe Biden represent two sides of the health care debate within the Democratic party. Jostling for the labor vote — considered important for Democratic candidates — they took shots at each other’s plans. The separate remarks from the candidates came on the same day that a standoff between the United Auto Workers and General Motors escalated, with GM shifting health-care costs to striking workers.
The money from the sales of the opioids will go to the plaintiffs, but some states, other leaders and advocates are worried it will become a vicious cycle. “It’s disgraceful,” said Ed Bisch, of Pennsauken, N.J., who was among the first parents to take on Purdue Pharma. His son died of an OxyContin overdose at 18 in 2001. “If they keep on selling OxyContin, there’s going to be more and more accidental addicts.”
Despite doing all the right things to curry favor with lawmakers and the president, in the end Juul wasn’t able to protect itself from regulation. Meanwhile, as states rush to pass restrictions on vaping products, experts wonder how much of an effect the flood of legislation will really have.
Companies Cashing In On Weakened Regulations For Health Care Coverage Under Trump Administration
As Republicans and the Trump administration chip away at the health law, the window is opened for bad actors to trick customers into buying health plans that offer almost no coverage.
First Edition: September 18, 2019
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Perspectives: Big Pharma’s Willingness To Play Games With Patent System Is Hurting American Patients
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Drugmakers Hurrying To Get ‘Miracle Cures’ To Market Are Making Mistakes In Their Haste
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Voices: How Should California Address The Needs Of Its Aging Population?
By 2030, an estimated 1 in 5 Californians will be 65 or older, and the state is creating a “master plan” to address their needs. Lawmakers, advocates, local officials and others gathered in Sacramento on Monday to tackle issues of greatest concern, such as long-term care and housing for low-income seniors.
As Texas Cracks Down On Abortion, Austin Votes To Help Women Defray Costs
The Austin City Council is setting aside $150,000 in city funds to help local women seeking an abortion pay for related costs, such as transportation or child care.
Editorial pages focus on the health care topics and others.
Media outlets report on news from Utah, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Massachusetts, California, Connecticut, Ohio, Georgia, Wisconsin, California, Arizona and New Hampshire.
However, Oklahoma has agreed not to enforce the ban until the state Supreme Court considers an emergency motion from the plaintiffs. Meanwhile, U.S. senators are asking Google to make sure its maps are accurately pointing users to abortion providers rather than crisis pregnancy centers. Abortion news comes out of Texas and Indiana, as well.
Back in March, the organization kicked off a multi-million dollar campaign against the pharmaceutical industry. Since then they’ve stormed lawmakers’ offices, ramped up their ad campaigns, and even rented planes to fly over beaches. “I can’t really think of another time when there’s been this strong a message in opposition to an entire industry,” said John Rother, the group’s former head of policy.
The institute was funded almost entirely by Goliaths of the agribusiness, food and pharmaceutical industries nearly four-decades ago. “What could possibly go wrong?” Amit Srivastava, the coordinator of the advocacy group India Resource Center, asked sarcastically. “To have a covert food lobby group deciding public health policy is wrong and a blatant conflict of interest.” In other public health news: the fading measles outbreak; thoughts and prayers; deaths among children; pregnancy and more.