Latest KFF Health News Stories
Denis Rebrikov, a Russian scientist, claims he has developed a safe way to gene-edit babies. “How it can be unethical if we will make [a] healthy baby instead of diseased?” Rebrikov told NPR during his first broadcast interview. “Why? Why [is it] unethical?” The issue has gained international attention as of late, with most experts in the field recommending caution. In other public health news: robotic ducks to help kids with cancer, a look at federally funded research, the flu, parenting, herbs and modern medicine, skeletal changes from phone use, and more.
The technique also reveals a wealth of genetic information not accessible with traditional microscopy tools. Because the technology uses tagged molecules within the cells to see how things are naturally arranged in samples, scientists can “see the world through the eyes of the cell,” said Joshua Weinstein, the lead author of the new paper.
If there’s money in the wallet, ”It suddenly feels like stealing,” researchers said. And the more money in the wallet, the higher the rate of return. They planted 17,000 “lost wallets” across 355 cities in 40 countries. On average, 40% of people given cashless wallets reported them, compared with 51 percent of people given wallets with money.
As States Add More Restrictions To Assault Rifles, Gun Makers Have Found A Way To Beat The System
The gun makers are simply adjusting the make of the rifle to fit the restrictions put in place by the new legislation. “They’re basing the bans strictly on cosmetic features that have no bearing on the operation or the function of the firearm,” said Mark Oliva, a spokesman for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, a trade group for gun manufacturers.
After facing bipartisan scrutiny in a nearly six-hour hearing, the bill passed through the California Assembly Health Committee on a 9-2 vote, with four members abstaining. Gov. Gavin Newsom has said he’d sign this bill, which allows the public health department to scrutinize doctors who grant more than five medical exemptions in a year and schools with vaccination rates of less than 95%. The debate over the legislation has drawn hundreds of anti-vaccination protesters. In other news on the outbreak, some summer camps are requiring vaccines.
Residents who were sick of paying astronomical health care costs figured out a way to come together so that they had negotiating power over the health groups in their area. But will other cities in the state be able to replicate the group’s success in areas where there’s less fat to trim? In other news on insurers and the health industry: medical prices continue to swell; AHIP focuses on social determinants; the importance of dental care gets lost in cost debate; and more.
Legislation Would Ensure Preference Given To American Companies For Pentagon Research Funding
A bioscience company’s decision to find a partner in China prompted the introduction of the measure. The legislation is the most recent example of the Trump administration and members of Congress taking a more aggressive role to counter the economic and national-security risks posed by China’s rise as a biotech power. Other news from Capitol Hill deals with abortion, black lung, and the 9/11 victims fund.
The Next Big Question In Opioid Court Cases: Will The Spoils Be Divided Up Fairly?
With so many counties, cities, municipalities and states in the game, everyone is vying for their equal share of the millions expected to come out of the court cases against the opioid-makers. Meanwhile, David Sackler, of Purdue Pharma notoriety, speaks out in defense of the company. In other news on the opioid epidemic: FDA’s opioid approvals, data on prescriptions, international guidelines for painkillers, and more.
The court has said that the Missouri health department can’t simply let the license lapse, and that it must make a decision whether to renew or reject it. Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood appeared to escalate its fight with Missouri on Thursday when it stopped performing one of two state-mandated pelvic exams for women seeking abortions.
Lawyers were allowed to interview immigrant children who are being held in U.S. custody to assess the care they are receiving. The issue has gained national attention following several deaths and high-profile reports of neglect. Meanwhile, years ago the government realized that the Border Patrol system was plagued by bad actors allowed to stay on the payroll. The problem is still not fixed, ProPublica reports.
Progressive lawmakers had invited Big Pharma CEOs to participate in a hearing, but as a political group and not a formal congressional committee, the Progressive Caucus has little power to compel the industry figures’ presence. The hearing, however, provided an outlet for lawmakers to signal their frustration with Democratic leadership’s approach to drug prices. Meanwhile, following a lobbying blitz, lawmakers consider dialing down bill on patents.
Federal Appeals Court Rules In Favor Of Trump Administration’s Changes To Family Planning Funding
The panel of three Republican-appointed judges ruled that the Trump administration can implement new rules prohibiting federal family-planning grants to health clinics offering on-site abortions or referrals for the procedure. Although the decision isn’t the final say on the issue, the court predicted that the administration will come out the victor in the battle. Dr. Leana Wen, president of Planned Parenthood, called the news “devastating” for the millions of women who rely on the program for services such as cancer screenings, HIV tests and birth control, and said the organization would immediately appeal.
Advocates say that President Donald Trump’s expected executive order, which was first reported by The Wall Street Journal, will lift the veil of secrecy around negotiated health care prices. But the health care industry is resistant, arguing that it could cause costs to climb if some businesses learn competitors are getting bigger discounts.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Legal Weed’s A Growing Danger To Dogs, So Keep Your Canine Out Of Your Cannabis
As more states legalize recreational and medical marijuana, dogs are accidentally ingesting the drug and becoming highly intoxicated.
Surgeons’ Opioid-Prescribing Habits Are Hard To Kick
A new data analysis by KHN and Johns Hopkins researchers shows that even as the CDC issued warnings, surgeons handed out many times the number of opioid pills needed for post-op pain.
Opioid Operators: How Surgeons Ply Patients With Painkillers
Even as awareness of the opioid crisis grew, prescribing habits of surgeons changed very little from 2011 to 2016, found a data analysis by KHN and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Use this interactive tool to search by doctor or practicing hospital.
Curing Cancer: Easy Politics, Difficult Science
As the 2020 campaign season kicks off, both President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden say they’ll cure cancer. If only it were that simple.
Curar el cáncer: fácil para los políticos, difícil para la ciencia
Las promesas políticas de “curar el cáncer” son de larga data, pero científicos afirman que es una frase difícil de lograr en la vida real.
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.