Latest KFF Health News Stories
For Many Latinos, The Hatred-Driven El Paso Shooting Is ‘The Death Of The American Dream’
Latinos, regardless of immigration status, across the country were shaken by the shootings — a lethal exhibition of the increased racism and vitriol directed toward them. “It’s really hard to be alive as an immigrant right now and to not be sick and exhausted,” said Karla Cornejo Villavicencio, 30. “It feels like being hunted.” Meanwhile, experts warn that mass shootings can come in clusters and be contagious. In other news from the shootings: a look into the El Paso medical center that handled the victims; President Donald Trump plans to visit the cities; experts question if the death penalty would really be a deterrent; and more.
Following the shooting in Dayton, Ohio, Gov. Mike DeWine faces demands that he “do something” from grief-stricken Ohioans. DeWine on Tuesday announced that he would push for measures that he thinks can pass the Republican-controlled state legislature, which has a history of knocking down similar efforts.
Democrats Invoke Emotional, Personal Experiences With Gun Violence In Messaging Shift For Party
Even a few years ago, it was politically fraught for Democrats to take a fierce and vocal stance against guns. “Since 2008 or 2004, we’ve continued to have, both in intensity and quantity, more and more of these horrific shootings that capture the mind’s eye and public attention,” said Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, who runs a rural state with a strong hunting tradition. “My family hasn’t been immune from that.” Other Democrats on the presidential trail are also using stronger language to urge for more restrictions.
President Donald Trump gave political cover to Republicans when he signaled his support for some kind of “red flag” legislation, which allows loved ones and law enforcement to take guns away from those they suspect might harm themselves or others. Some experts, however, question the effectiveness of such proposals and say that despite several “red flags” troubled people still slip through the cracks and end up going on to commit the mass shootings.
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
The New West: Smoke In The Sky, A Purifier At Home
Amid forecasts for increasingly unhealthy air due to wildfire smoke, residents in Western states are snatching up home air purifiers. With good reason.
Doctors Argue Plans To Remedy Surprise Medical Bills Will ‘Shred’ The Safety Net
A case of questionable logic.
Watch: What Happened To That $500K Dialysis Bill
After journalists investigate, Fresenius, one of the largest dialysis providers in the U.S., has agreed to waive a half-million-dollar bill. Sovereign Valentine, from Plains, Mont., said it’s a “huge relief.”
The Differences Between ‘Medicare For All’ And A Public Option
KHN’s Julie Rovner appears on CSPAN’s Washington Journal Tuesday and compares two key health programs being touted by Democratic presidential candidates: “Medicare for All” and an optional government health plan, often called a public option.
Incendios modernos presentan nuevos riesgos de salud para los bomberos
Los bomberos se enfrentan a una peligrosa combinación: la exposición al intenso calor producido por la quema de vegetación, y a los combustibles y carcinógenos más comunes en los incendios urbanos.
Editorial pages focus on proposals to stop mass shootings.
Media outlets report on news from Michigan, District of Columbia, North Carolina, California, Massachusetts, Maryland, Connecticut, Florida, New York, Louisiana and Iowa.
The duodenoscope cannot be sterilized through the methods most often used on such tools. They have to be hand-scrubbed and run through a dishwasher-like machine, which means they can retain dangerous bacteria. In other public health news: HIV, Alzheimer’s, measles, sleeping aids, medical mysteries, and more.
Climate Change Raises New Concerns About Large Areas Of World That Could Run Out Of Water
News on the environment looks at the increasing risk of running out of water, a real possibility in 17 countries that use almost all their water, and new evidence that using fans really is OK during extreme heat waves despite warnings to the contrary. Other environmental news comes from California, Georgia and New York.
A proposal to allow all 34,000 jurisdictions to vote on settlement offers is being contested now at the state level. A hearing is scheduled for Tuesday in Cleveland before the federal judge who is overseeing the cases. News on the opioid crisis comes from Minnesota, as well.
Along with the opioid guidance, CMS also is directing states to design and implement a program to track and manage the prescribing of antipsychotic medications for children in Medicaid. Other Medicaid news comes out of New York, Louisiana and Kansas, as well.
Innovative Medicines Canada has in early drafts even urged the country to ban drug exports “unless otherwise permitted by regulation.” The group’s efforts suggest the industry is eager to derail the Trump administration’s plan to allow Americans to import cheaper drugs from their northern neighbor.
President Donald Trump and other lawmakers are boosting the idea of red flag laws, which allow loved ones and law enforcement to take guns away from someone they suspect may hurt themselves or others. Although there’s strong evidence that they reduce suicides, beyond that little research has been done on such protection orders’ effectiveness. Furthermore, psychology experts say a significant number of mass shooters are in their late teens to early 20s, when signs of severe mental illness may not yet be observable.