Latest KFF Health News Stories
Meet The Former Congressman Who Has Become A One-Man Gatekeeper Over VA Lobbying Efforts
Until January 2017, Jeff Miller was the head of the powerful House Veterans’ Affairs Committee that oversees the Department of Veterans Affairs and produces legislation impacting veterans’ lives. Now he’s a lobbying powerhouse and has helped lead the way as outside interests turn an ever-more interested eye on the VA.
The Justice Department issues a gruesome 56-page report the detailed the cruel and excessive violence within the Alabama prison system in one of the first major civil rights investigations by the department to be released under President Donald Trump. The DOJ notified the prison system that it could sue in 49 days “if State officials have not satisfactorily addressed our concerns.”
Grassley Slams Trump’s Claims That Wind Turbines Cause Cancer As ‘Idiotic’
President Donald Trump claimed that the noise from the turbines is linked to cancer, but evidence shows that they don’t cause adverse health effects. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said that he has to teach a lot of new politicians about wind energy and Trump is no different.
The Los Angeles Times and ProPublica investigate high-speed chases that occur when the border patrol is trying to chase down people who have entered the country illegally. In other immigration news: San Diego sues the Trump administration over its policy changes that have strained city services; the government’s largest holding facility, nicknamed “the kennel,” runs out of space; and an autopsy shows that one of the children who died in U.S. custody had the flu.
Possibility That E-Cigarette Use Triggers Seizures In Some Users Investigated By FDA
The cases go back to 2010, with a noticeable uptick in reports beginning mid-2018. The FDA has yet to determine if e-cigarette use is responsible for the seizures, but the agency is concerned enough that it is warning users to be aware of the possibility.
FDA Continues Whack-A-Mole Efforts To Crack Down On Dangerous But Trendy Stem Cell Clinics
Dangerous and mostly unregulated stem cell clinics have cropped up across the county, offering pricey, unproven treatments for anything from sore knees to failing hearts. The FDA has sent letters to 20 companies warning them about their practices, but it’s proving difficult to regulate the ever-expanding field.
The lawsuit claims the Agriculture Department issued its rules with little public notice, no reasoned explanation and against overwhelming opposition from the public. And that by rolling back nutritional requirements, the Trump administration is “attacking the health and the safety of our children,” particularly those who live in poverty.
CMS Suspends Several Consultant Contracts That Sparked Ethics Concerns When They Came To Light
Earlier in the week, Politico reported that CMS was steering communications work to multiple Republican subcontractors to promote Administrator Seema Verma and her work within the administration. The contracts, while legal, did raise ethical questions and prompted leading Democratic lawmakers to immediately call for and investigation.
House Democrats Vote To Condemn Trump’s Health Law Pivot As Republicans Try To Change The Subject
Democrats want to keep the spotlight on the issue, which they see as a winning topic for them with voters. Meanwhile, Republicans, who have born the political bruises from the debate over the past two years, want to direct the nation’s attention elsewhere. And though President Donald Trump seemed on board with that strategy earlier in the week, yesterday he once again promised to have a health plan that was ready for “full display during the election.”
For Many Countries, Poverty Lays At The Heart Of Why Measles, Once Nearly Vanquished, Has Returned
Medical systems in many countries remain too weak to vaccinate enough children year after year to wall out the virus. Media outlets report on the outbreaks in the U.S., as well.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
How Easy Are Vaccine Exemptions? Take A Look At The Oregon Model
About 95% of parents in Oregon who skip vaccines opt to use the state’s online education tool to print their own exemption certificates.
Popular Weed Killer’s Alleged Link To Cancer Spreads Concern
The main ingredient in numerous popular herbicides has been implicated by two juries in the cancers of frequent users, but major public health agencies disagree over whether it is a carcinogen. Can you use it safely in your garden? Here are some answers to questions you may have about the weed killer glyphosate.
¿Cuán fácil es eximir a los niños de sus vacunas? Solo hay que mirar a Oregon
A medida que continúan los brotes de sarampión en el noroeste y se extienden a todo el país, registros de salud de Oregon sugieren lo fácil que que es optar por no recibir las vacunas requeridas en ese estado, como en muchos otros.
Listen: What’s Up With Trump’s Sudden Turnaround On Health Care?
President Donald Trump promises that Republicans will be the “party of health care” and seeks to have a court overturn the Affordable Care Act. But that leaves some Republican lawmakers nervous about bringing the contentious issue up before the 2020 elections. KHN’s Julie Rovner talks to “Detroit Today” host Stephen Henderson about the implications of the president’s moves.
Editorial pages focus on these health issues and others.
Opinion writers weigh in on health care policies.
Perspectives: Americans Are Prescribed Too Many Drugs And It’s Being Driven By Pharma
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Media outlets report on news from Minnesota, New Hampshire, California, Texas, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Georgia, Florida and Ohio.