Latest KFF Health News Content

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Discord Increases Over Severance Package, Confidentiality Clause Between Planned Parenthood And Fired President Leana Wen

Morning Briefing

“They want to silence my voice as a public health expert,” said Dr. Leana Wan. “I simply will not sign away my right to speak my mind. I won’t compromise my integrity.” Planned Parenthood disputed her charges. News on women’s health also reports on medication abortions and fetal remains.

FDA Warns About Potential Cancer-Causing Contaminant In Popular Heartburn Drug Zantac, Generics

Morning Briefing

The chemical, NDMA, has also been linked to dozens of recalls of prescription blood pressure drugs in the past year. No recalls have been started for the heartburn drug, but the FDA is recommending that people talk to their doctors and switch to different medications.

Verma Pushes Back Against Dems’ Accusations That Uptick In Uninsured Rate Is Trump Administration’s Fault

Morning Briefing

CMS Chief Seema Verma said that the true culprit is that high premiums that have priced out people who don’t qualify for subsidies. A closer look at the numbers, however, shows that immigrants’ fears over a Trump administration crackdown may lay at the heart of the increase. Hispanics were the only major racial and ethnic category with a significant increase in their uninsured rate.

In Unusual Twist, Opioid Companies Try To Disqualify Judge Overseeing Nationwide Trial With Claims Of Bias

Morning Briefing

In a 39-page brief filed with the motion, the attorneys for the defendants cite Judge Dan A. Polster’s “unusual level of commitment” to a settlement that they believe has affected his decision-making in the landmark lawsuits. They cited a remark made during the first court hearing in January 2018 for the multidistrict litigation when Polster said, “My objective is to do something meaningful to abate the crisis and to do it in 2018.”

How Trump’s Presidency Fueled A Flurry Of Progressive Movements In California

Morning Briefing

California leaders and President Donald Trump can seem at war with each other sometimes, but many of the state’s new laws are linked with the presidency. “Donald Trump has been the impetus for putting everything on warp speed,” said Garry South, a Democratic political strategist in California. “It has pushed Democrats in California to take actions that might otherwise have been viewed as a little less urgent if we had a Democrat in the White House.” In other news on the administration: the Border Patrol’s morale issue, the “public charge” rule, and health data at HHS.

Pelosi, Schumer To Trump: Any Gun Proposal That Does Not Include Background Checks ‘Will Not Get The Job Done’

Morning Briefing

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) tried to sway President Donald Trump over the weekend as he puts together a proposal to curb gun violence. The two leaders said they promised to join Trump “for a historic signing ceremony at the Rose Garden” if the president would endorse existing House legislation that includes the checks and lean on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to pass it.

Sanders Rails Against Biden’s Characterization Of ‘Medicare For All’ Saying Rival Is Parroting Lines From Health Industry

Morning Briefing

Health care took center stage at a Democratic debate last week, with former Vice President Joe Biden ripping Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on the cost of his plan. Meanwhile, Sanders also slammed Biden over his comments that there are “great drug companies out there.”

Purdue Pharma Files For Bankruptcy As Part Of Settlement To Avoid Thousands Of Opioid Lawsuits

Morning Briefing

Under the deal, Purdue would be restructured into an entity known as a public benefit trust, and profits from its production of OxyContin and other drugs would pay the plaintiffs’ claims. But the terms of the filing are expected to be hotly contested by the states that didn’t agree to the terms of the settlement. Meanwhile, the New York attorney general’s office said on Friday that it has tracked about $1 billion in wire transfers by the Sacklers, which suggests the family is trying to shield its personal wealth.

Stakes Are High As Congress Aims To Tackle Array Of Health Issues Before End Of The Year

Morning Briefing

Surprise medical bills and drug prices are high on the list of priorities for lawmakers in both parties, but opinions on what to do about those issues stray further from bipartisan grounds. Especially as lobbying groups work to influence the outcome of such legislation.

Purveyors Of Black-Market Pharmaceuticals Target Immigrants

KFF Health News Original

Illegal medications, sold in immigrant communities around the United States, can cause serious harm to consumers, authorities say. Law enforcement officers are cracking down, but some think more must be done.

De no creer: jóvenes buscan aliviar su adicción al “vapeo”… fumando cigarrillos

KFF Health News Original

Una unidad de Juul, que proporciona alrededor de 200 bocanadas, contiene tanta nicotina como un paquete de cigarrillos. Los jóvenes vuelven a fumar para frenar otra adicción.