Latest KFF Health News Content

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Is McConnell’s Concession On Smoking Age A Trojan Horse? Advocates Worry He’ll Use It To Block More Effective Legislation

Morning Briefing

“The industry is positioning tobacco 21 as the only thing that needs to be done on tobacco prevention,” but “tobacco 21 needs to be a complement” to other measures, said John Schachter, director of state communications for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Tobacco and e-cigarette giants, who have lobbied against raising taxes on tobacco and banning flavored products popular with teens, enthusiastically back the idea of raising the smoking age. Meanwhile, Juul deploys a lobbying force at state Capitols across the country.

As Guantanamo Bay Detainees Age, Military Grapples With Questions About End-Of-Life Care

Morning Briefing

“A lot of my guys are prediabetic,” says Rear Adm. John C. Ring, the commander of the detention center. “Am I going to need dialysis down here? I don’t know. Someone’s got to tell me that. Are we going to do complex cancer care down here? I don’t know. Someone’s got to tell me that.”

Pharma Is Betting Billions On Technology That Makes Sure Patients Take Their Drugs. Doctors Aren’t Sure That’s A Safe Gamble.

Morning Briefing

Drugmakers and other startups are creating innovative ways to address the age-old problem of patients not actually taking their medications. But reservations from doctors, hospitals, insurers, and the patients themselves stand in the way of a big payday for the companies.

That Defining White Coat Of The Medical Profession Is Teeming With Harmful Bacteria

Morning Briefing

As many as 16 percent of white coats tested positive for MRSA, and up to 42 percent for the bacterial class Gram-negative rods–both types of bacteria that can cause serious problems, including skin and bloodstream infections, sepsis and pneumonia. In other public health news: mammograms, accidental poisonings, compassion, MSG, aging, palliative care, and more.

When It Comes To Health Care, Americans Trust Democrats More Than Republicans, Poll Finds

Morning Briefing

A new Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll finds that respondents trust Democrats over Republicans on health care, 40 percent to 23 percent. On other issues, the response is more evenly divided.

Will Ties To A Catholic Hospital System Tie Doctors’ Hands?

KFF Health News Original

Doctors at the University of California’s flagship San Francisco hospital are sharply divided over a proposal to join forces with a Catholic-run system that restricts care on the basis of religious doctrine — part of a broader public debate as Catholic hospitals expand their reach.

Is Insulin’s High Cost Keeping Diabetes Patients From Taking Their Medicine?

KFF Health News Original

An estimated 1.25 million Americans have Type 1 diabetes and cannot live without insulin. Sen. Kamala Harris’ claim that 1 in 4 diabetes patients cannot afford their insulin is a shockingly high number, so we decided to dig into the sparse data.

Estados debaten prohibir popular pesticida que afectaría el desarrollo infantil

KFF Health News Original

Varios estudios han relacionado la exposición prenatal al clorpirifos con disminución de peso al nacer, bajo coeficiente intelectual, déficit de atención y otros problemas de desarrollo en niños.

Government Given Six Month Deadline To Locate Thousands Of Children Who Were Separated At Border

Morning Briefing

The government had asked for two years to complete the task, but U.S. Judge Dana Sabraw that it must be done quicker. “The court once again made clear that it was not prepared to put up with any delays, and that these families must be found,” said Lee Gelernt, the lead attorney in a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union.

Public Blame Toward Those Who Abuse Opioids Persists In Tandem With Anger At Drugmakers

Morning Briefing

According to a new poll, 63% of Americans think pharmaceutical companies are quite a bit or a great deal to blame for the problem of opioid addiction, while 58% say the same about people abusing opioids. Slightly less than half — 46% — think doctors and dentists are significantly to blame. The survey comes amid a push to hold drugmakers responsible for the epidemic through the court system.