Latest KFF Health News Stories
Purde Pharma, which is considering filing for bankruptcy, had been earning $3 billion a year and employed nearly 2,000 employees. Sales have declined and last year the company eliminated its sales force as 1,800 lawsuits against the OxyContin-maker allege it played a key role in the opioid epidemic. More news on the drug crisis focuses on dangers to opioid-exposed children, revisions to treatment strategies, monitoring prescriptions and help for jailed sufferers.
As Nation’s Income Inequality Grows So Does Gap Between Rich, Poor Americans’ Health
“Results of this analysis suggest that there has been a clear lack of progress on health equity during the past 25 years in the United States,” the researchers of the new study write.
Kamala Harris Hedges On Idea Of Getting Rid Of Private Insurance Following Debate
2020 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris told reporters after Thursday night’s debate that she had interpreted the question as referring to a personal choice and clarified that she did not support eliminating private insurance completely. The topic is politically fraught, which few of the candidates at last week’s debate jumped to support.
AMA Abortion Lawsuit Puts Doctors In The Thick Of Debate
The doctors’ group, which had not been very vocal in recent years on the issue, is taking an assertive stance. The AMA said North Dakota’s laws interfere with doctor-patient relationships.
9/11 Detective Who Pleaded With Congress Over Victims Fund Dies Of Cancer At Age 53
Despite his illness, Luis Alvarez appeared with comedian Jon Stewart to urge Congress to authorize longterm health care funding for 9/11 first responders. “You all said you would never forget. Well, I’m here to make sure that you don’t,” the former New York City police detective told lawmakers at the hearing. Alvarez was admitted to a hospice within a few days of his testimony.
Marshae Jones faces criminal charges after she was shot during an argument with another woman and Jones’ unborn fetus died. While the case sparks national outrage, in Alabama there’s little debate whether Jones is culpable for the death.
The state administrative panel won’t hear the case until August, but the clinic can remain operational until then. Meanwhile, Administrative Hearing Commissioner Sreenivasa Rao Dandamudi indicated it’s likely the clinic will win its battle against the state in the end. “This has been a week-to-week fight for our patients and every Missourian who needs access to abortion care,” said Dr. Colleen McNicholas, an attending physician at the St. Louis clinic.
The Supreme Court decided against hearing a case on an Alabama law prohibiting a type of surgical abortion used in the second trimester of pregnancy. While Justice Clarence Thomas agreed with the decision itself, he also made clear that he wants the court to address the hot-button issue.
The suit — the first filed against the state law — is brought by the ACLU, Planned Parenthood and the Center for Reproductive Rights on behalf of Georgia abortion providers and reproductive rights advocates. The strict law was expected to illicit a court challenge, and could be one of the abortion cases headed to the Supreme Court.
But Judge Dolly Gee of the Central District of California ordered the independent monitor to work with federal officials to remedy conditions “post haste.” The quality of the detention centers where young immigrants are being held grabbed national attention after reports of abusive, neglectful conditions emerged. In other news from the border: threats of deportation have a chilling effect on domestic violence reports; an elite border patrol medical unit helps the most desperate; and immigrants still contemplating crossing into U.S. despite high-profile deaths.
The rule on expanded protections for health workers who say their moral beliefs interfere with performing certain procedures was set to take effect on July 22, but HHS agreed to delay it until at least Nov. 22.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Have Cancer, Must Travel: Patients Left In Lurch After Hospital Closes
As the rural town of Fort Scott, Kan., grapples with the closure of its hospital, cancer patients face new challenges as they try to continue their treatments in different locations.
State Lawmakers Eye Federal Dollars To Boost Mental Health Counseling By Peers
Medicaid pays for mentoring of mental health patients by “peer supporters,” but only if they are state-certified. California is one of two states with no certification program. Legislation pending in Sacramento would change that — if the governor backs it.
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.
Un millón de californianos no tienen agua potable. ¿En dónde viven?
A casi un millón de personas en el estado se les recomienda no beber agua del grifo porque las autoridades locales no cumplen con los estándares para mantenerla limpia.
Editorial pages focus on these health care topics and others.
Woman Whose Fetus Died After She Was Shot Charged With Manslaughter, Yet Accused Shooter Goes Free
Marshae Jones of Birmingham was five months pregnant when she was shot during an argument. On Wednesday, a grand jury indicted Jones on a manslaughter charge. But now Jefferson County prosecutors say they have not yet made a decision whether they will prosecute the woman.
Flu vaccines are made each year to protect against three or four different kinds of flu virus, and this season’s shot turned out to be a mismatch against the bug that showed up late. News on vaccinations looks at hepatitis A, HPV, and exemptions.
U.S. Government Argues It Is Entitled To Portion Of Oklahoma’s $270M Opioid Settlement
When states recover penalties in Medicaid fraud cases, which Oklahoma did when it won its the lawsuit against Purdue Pharma, it is common to reimburse federal agencies for their share. The state has until October to give its response. News on the opioid epidemic is from Florida and Ohio, as well.