Latest KFF Health News Stories
After Battling Her Breast Cancer, Scientist Works To Give A.I. Expertise In Reading Mammograms
Computer scientist Regina Barzilay said, “At every point of my treatment, there would be some point of uncertainty, and I would say, ‘Gosh, I wish we had the technology to solve it.’ So when I was done with the treatment, I started my long journey toward this goal.” But she was surprised the nation’s science and cancer foundations weren’t interested in funding her. Other news on technology looks at algorithms’ “deep learnings,” CRISPR’s risks and rewards, birth control apps and health aides in the form of robots.
The industry is starting to realize the residents in assisted facilities aren’t likely to go outside to visit their doctors. So instead of turning each medical event into an emergency, some places are starting to bring the doctors in themselves.
Residents in Rockland County, New York have been seen crossing the streets to avoid members of the Jewish community. Religious leaders worry not only about the anti-semitism that’s emerging because of the measles cases, but also the government’s intervention into their close-knit population. Other news on outbreaks comes from Washington state, Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Patients Going To In-Network Hospitals Are Still Receiving Eye-Popping Surprise Medical Bills
The nationwide phenomenon of surprise medical bills, which is starting to gain more attention, comes often times from a doctor being out-of-network yet still working in a hospital that’s in-network. States are increasingly passing laws to protect patients from these charges, such as limiting the dollar amount of out-of-network fees.
The OxyContin-manufacturer documented how it could make money at both ends of the funnel as an “end-to-end pain provider.” That is just one piece of damning information coming to light in court about the Sackler family and their company Purdue Pharma. In other news on the national opioid crisis: workers bring addiction to the job; a patents victory on opioid addiction treatments; a mother’s search for the truth about an overdose; and more.
Moderate Democrats To Introduce ‘Medicare X’ Plan That Would Create Public Option
The plan from Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) comes amidst a growing battle within the party over how far left to swing when it comes to health care. Many progressives are pushing for “Medicare for All” style proposals, while moderates back measures that would incrementally expand government-run health care.
Puerto Ricans Rationing Medications, Food As Lawmakers Battle Over Disaster Funding Bill
The island is still attempting to recover from being hit by category-4 Hurricane Maria in 2017. Meanwhile, Democrats and Republicans dig in their heels over adding more money for Puerto Rico into a larger disaster aid package.
Guatemalan Girl Who Died In U.S. Custody Would Have Been Visibly Sick For Hours, Doctors Say
An autopsy finds that Jakelin Caal Maquin died of strep-induced sepsis. “Something like that takes hours to progress,” said Dr. Lee Sanders, the chief of general pediatrics at Stanford University.
On Friday, the Trump administration awarded $250 million in Title X federal family planning grants, including as much as $5.1 million to a nonprofit organization funded by allies of the Catholic Church. Both supporters and opponents of abortion rights cast it as a potentially significant move to try to defund medical clinics that provide abortions. Meanwhile, Utah offers an example of how hard the new rules dictating who gets family planning grants will hit red states even if they might not realize it yet. And in other news, the administration is asking a judge to throw out a lawsuit over contraception-coverage rules.
Not only is there no such plan in the works, according to insiders there’s no plan to draft any legislation. White House officials say efforts are underway though. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) — acutely aware of the political perils that health care poses for Republicans — does not intend to wade extensively into the issue.
Democrats, Fractured Over Health Care Differences, Come Together In Face Of Trump’s Decision On ACA
House Democrats plan to vote on a largely symbolic resolution that condemns President Donald Trump’s surprise decision to tell the Justice Department to argue the whole health law should be invalidated rather than just parts of it.
Trump’s Own Health Agenda Could Be Sabotaged By His Continuing Push To Gut The Affordable Care Act
President Donald Trump has said that certain health issues — like ending the HIV epidemic, curbing the opioid crisis and cutting high drug prices — are some of his top priorities. But key elements to battling those problems rely on the health law that he wants to nullify.
Utah voters approved expanding the state’s Medicaid program through a ballot initiative last year, but state lawmakers scrambled to add restrictions to the program. One of those was work requirements. The waiver also has a novel feature to control costs: Utah can freeze enrollment of newly eligible beneficiaries if the projected costs of their coverage exceed the funds appropriated by the state Legislature.
Stat talked to patients and their families, many of whom found out the hard way last week when news broke that the anticipated drug was not effective at slowing or preventing neurodegenerative decline. Hopes were high for the trials because there’s nothing else in the pipeline. Public health also focuses on grim prison conditions, DNA tests, new depression treatment, diet and asthma, blood cancer research, FDA food safety concerns, brain-healthy diets, gut health, widespread burnout and hearing loss.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Suicide Risk Grew After Missouri Medicaid Kids Shifted To Managed Care, Hospitals Say
Psychiatric treatment for children in Medicaid managed-care plans in Missouri has declined and suicide risks are up, reveals a study sponsored by the state hospital association.
CMS Ignores Federal Judge Ruling To Approve Medicaid Work Rules in Utah
Work helps make people healthier, CMS chief Seema Verma said in approving Utah’s waiver request to tie government health benefits to employment or volunteer work. But Judge James Boasberg has said that isn’t the goal of Medicaid.
Must-Reads Of The Week From Brianna Labuskes
Newsletter editor Brianna Labuskes wades through hundreds of health articles from the week so you don’t have to.
Opinion writers weigh in on these public health issues and other health issues.
Editorial writers weigh in on issues surrounding the health law.