Latest KFF Health News Stories
The judge in the battle over the last-remaining abortion clinic in Missouri had given the state a deadline to make a decision over the license, saying officials couldn’t just allow it to lapse.
An investigation from Politico shows how the agency is bucking longstanding practices by not publicizing peer-reviewed studies that examined the wide-ranging effects of rising carbon dioxide, increasing temperatures and volatile weather. Meanwhile, medical groups warn that climate change should be considered a “health emergency.”
The government was in court to appeal a 2017 ruling finding that child migrants and their parents are detained in dirty, crowded, bitingly cold conditions inside U.S. Customs and Border Protection facilities along the southern border. A spotlight has been shone on the quality of the detention facilities, especially following the deaths of several children who were in custody. Meanwhile, fact checkers call out President Donald Trump’s claims that former President Barack Obama started the controversial “zero tolerance policy.”
Skeptics of drugs like Vyleesi balk at the idea of a pharmaceutical product playing a role in sexual desire. To them, prescribing a drug women with low sexual drive misguidedly reduces the complexity of the condition to a biological issue. Experts say they don’t expect many women to seek the treatment as the drug can only be administered through injections.
The agency is racing to get the drug through the approval process after President Donald Trump signaled support for the treatment. But psychiatrists and medical researchers, including some at the VA, raised questions about the drug’s effectiveness and safety, and Democratic lawmakers question why the decision-making on the drug has been so rushed.
Health care professionals at the Department of Veterans Affairs talk to USA Today about how they’ve been stripped of their duties in what they see as an attempt from agency leaders to punish them after they spoke out about problems with patient care at VA facilities. “The VA is two-faced: What it says it does and what it actually does are two entirely different things,” said Katherine Mitchell, a physician who reported shortfalls in care at the Phoenix VA that earned her a federal “Public Servant of the Year Award” in 2014.
“You’re not going to lock women back in the kitchen. You’re not going to tell us what to do,” Elizabeth Warren said at the Planned Parenthood event where 20 of the 2020 Democratic candidates were given a venue to talk about their abortion stances. Former Vice President Joe Biden, who has as of late been subject to criticism over his previous support for the Hyde amendment, used the opportunity to explain his change of heart on the issue, without using the word “abortion” even once.
Many of the candidates are pushing “Medicare for All” or some variation of expanded government-supported health care. While many voters see the plans as aspirational, for now, they simply want to pay less for their health care. That disconnect between what politicians are preaching and what voters are worried about could be detrimental to Democrats, who polls show currently hold an advantage over Republicans when it comes to the issue of health care. Meanwhile, media organizations help you navigate the candidates’ stances on health.
Media outlets report on news from New Jersey, Virginia, Kansas, Missouri, California, Georgia, North Carolina, New York, Arizona, Maryland, Ohio and Massachusetts.
As more and more conservative states approve restrictive abortion laws, blue states are stepping up with their own legislation as well. Meanwhile, Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers vetoed four abortion laws on Friday saying, “Politicians shouldn’t be in the business of interfering with decisions made between patients and their healthcare providers.” Abortion news comes out of Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Kentucky as well.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Non-English Speakers Face Health Setback If Trump Loosens Language Rules
A rule proposed by the Trump administration would leave patients with limited English proficiency with fewer guarantees of a written notice that free translation services are available. It also would no longer require directions on how patients can report discrimination they experience in a medical setting.
Meth In The Morning, Heroin At Night: Inside The Seesaw Struggle of Dual Addiction
Many users now mix opioids with stimulants like meth and cocaine — and researchers believe opioids kicked off this new stimulant wave.
Mantén a tu perro lejos de la marihuana, puede ser peligrosa para las mascotas
A medida que la hierba se ha vuelto más fácil de conseguir para la gente, también se ha convertido en un peligro para los perros, que la pueden consumir involuntariamente en parques.
Must-Reads Of The Week From Brianna Labuskes
Newsletter editor Brianna Labuskes wades through hundreds of health care policy stories each week, so you don’t have to.
Vaccine Drama On Display In California’s Capitol
Hundreds of protesters descended on the state Capitol on Thursday, warning against government tyranny and corporate greed. Their target: not taxes, not high-tech surveillance, but a bill that would determine which kids must get their routine shots.
Editorial pages focus on these health care topics and others.
Opinion writers weigh in on mental health issues.
Longer Looks: Juul’s Marketing; Abortions; And Hospitals In Wildfires
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets report on news from Idaho, Ohio, Oregon, Wisconsin, Arizona, Tennessee, Florida, Connecticut, Maryland, California, Illinois and Florida.