Latest KFF Health News Content

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Stanford’s Chief Wellness Officer Aims To Prevent Physician Burnout

KFF Health News Original

Tait Shanafelt focuses on helping doctors cope with such problems as long hours and copious record-keeping, seeking to prevent burnout and reduce the rate of physician suicide. As doctors’ well-being improves, he says, so does patient care.

Listen: Inexpensive Nerve Drug Often Abused As Opioid Epidemic Grows

KFF Health News Original

Gabapentin, a medication approved to help patients with nerve pain or epilepsy, is being abused by people addicted to opioids to help prolong their high or stave off withdrawal from other drugs. Kaiser Health News reporter Carmen Heredia Rodriguez talks about the problem during a wide-ranging health discussion on the NPR program “On Point.”

Watch: What You Should Know About The New Rule On Short-Term Health Plans

KFF Health News Original

Under the Trump administration’s new rule, these plans can now last as long as 12 months — instead of the Obama-era 90-day limit — and be renewed for two additional years. Critics say these changes are part of another swipe at the Affordable Care Act.

Does One Of Best-Selling Drugs In World Trigger Compulsive Behavior? Scientists Can’t Figure Out The ‘How’

Morning Briefing

Hundreds of lawsuits claim that Abilify, which can be taken for depression and anxiety, causes gambling, binging, and other compulsive acts. But scientists say that if it does play a role, there are likely other factors also at play. In other public health news: tuberculosis, 3D-printed guns, cancer survivors, sleep, worker injuries, and more.

After Tearful Reunion With Her Toddler, An Immigrant Mother Keeps Her Daughter Close By As Questions Loom About Their Future

Morning Briefing

It took more than three months, several DNA studies and other tests before an undocumented mother was reunited with her 1-year-old daughter. She had many questions, but the caseworker who delivered her child disappeared before she could ask them.

Painkiller-Makers Pouring Money Into Communities, States That Are Suing Them Over Opioid Crisis

Morning Briefing

The companies are doling out money to nonprofits, in a move that could potentially be building goodwill ahead of the massive legal battle the industry is about to face. Meanwhile, KHN takes a look at how competition in the early days of the opioid push helped shape the companies’ strategies.

Medicaid Expansion Advocates Have Found A Way Around GOP Legislatures Saying ‘No’

Morning Briefing

Activists are working to get expansion of the program on the ballots for a handful of red states where elected officials have blocked it for years. Medicaid news comes out of Florida, Virginia and Michigan, as well.

If Medicare Was Allowed To Negotiate Drug Prices Like Other Agencies, It Could Save $2.8 Billion In A Single Year

Morning Briefing

Medicare currently isn’t allowed to negotiate drug prices, but analysts looked at agencies that can — like the Department of Veterans Affairs — and crunched some numbers. As drug prices continue to rise, officials scramble to find ways to curb the cost hikes. Meanwhile, Medicare beneficiaries will pay lower premiums on their prescription drug plans next year.

After Years Of Eye-Popping Rate Increases, Insurers’ Requests Are Starting To Level Off

Morning Briefing

In some places, insurers are even seeking small decreases to some of their rates as the health law marketplace stabilizes. But there are still some areas that will be hit with double-digit spikes, such as New York, where Gov. Andrew Cuomo is pushing back against the requests.

‘These Plans Aren’t For Everyone’: Administration Defends Short-Term Coverage As Critics Call It Junk Insurance

Morning Briefing

The administration issued its final rule on the short-term plans on Wednesday, allowing insurers to sell them for 12 months and then renew them for two years. The coverage is cheaper because it doesn’t meet the strict requirements instituted by the health law — such as covering essential benefits. Democrats and other critics aired their concerns about the move putting both consumers and the marketplace at risk.