Latest KFF Health News Stories
The Swedish Academy said that the work done by Drs. James P. Allison and Tasuku Honjo constitutes “a landmark in our fight against cancer.” The revolutionary treatment harnesses the body’s own immune system to find and fight cancer.
First Edition: October 1, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
White Coats As Superhero Capes: Med Students Swoop In To Save Health Care
Students from eight medical schools in and around New York City attended a conference Sept. 23 on progressive activism during their training years — and beyond.
Judges In California Losing Sway Over Court-Ordered Drug Treatment
In a Medicaid-funded pilot project starting with 19 counties, clinicians and other providers are now in charge of deciding what kind of treatment an offender needs. The change has rankled some judges and attorneys — and forced some felons to spend more time in jail — but it has been largely embraced by clinicians and county agencies.
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.
Más “desiertos de contracepción” por medidas de la administración Trump
Normas impulsadas por el gobierno federal privilegian a las clínicas que solo ofrecen control de la natalidad a través de métodos naturales.
Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ (Almost) Live from Austin!
In this episode of KHN’s “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Joanne Kenen of Politico, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News and Alice Ollstein of Politico talk about how health issues will play in midterm elections, the Trump administration’s move that could penalize legal immigrants who use government aid programs, and other topics. Due to technical difficulties, the original discussion taped Sept. 27 at the 2018 Texas Tribune Festival could not be broadcast, so the panelists reconvened from Austin and Washington on Sept. 28.
Eat, Toke Or Vape: Teens Not Too Picky When It Comes To Pot’s Potpourri
State legalization efforts, as well as the introduction of edible or vaporized cannabis- infused products, may be contributing to experimentation by teens.
Opinion writers weigh in on these and other health topics.
Media outlets report on news from Connecticut, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Vermont, California, D.C., Wisconsin, Georgia, Ohio, Colorado and Kansas.
Research Roundup: Tuberculosis; Heart Health; And Spinal Cord Injuries
Editorial pages focus on these and other health issues.
How CTE Unraveled The Life Of A Young Football Player
When Daniel Te’o-Nesheim was young he loved football. Once he joined the pros he started showing early symptoms of CTE, a neurological disease found in athletes who play the sport. In other public health news: depression, caffeine, back pain, clinical trials, cannabis drugs, and more.
While a similar ruling in Texas was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2016 because it would place undue burdens on women, the Louisiana appeals court ruling said no there is no evidence any clinics will close because of the provision. Opponents claim it’s very hard to get admitting privileges. News on women’s reproductive health comes out of Georgia, Texas and California, also.
The push is part of a renewed focus on medication-assisted treatment for those addicted to opioids. It’s often hard for patients to find a doctor who is able to prescribe the necessary drugs. Meanwhile, in Congress’ sweeping opioid package is a provision to shield people who are trying to buy cheaper, needed prescription medication from other countries. More news on the drug crisis comes from Massachusetts, Ohio, North Carolina and Kansas, as well.
Aetna To Sell Medicare Part D Business As Step Forward In Deal With CVS
Industry experts say regulators may have been concerned about a Medicare business overlap between Aetna and CVS.
The work requirements have drawn criticism after more than 4,000 Arkansas residents lost Medicaid coverage after three months of failing to report their hours. CMS Administrator Seema Verma once again touted the number of people who found work underneath the rules, and said the government would continue monitoring the data closely going forward. Meanwhile, the battle over Medicaid expansion continues to play out in Maine and a study looks at the effects of expansion for rural residents.
The marketplace is getting stronger and next year’s premiums are not expected to be as shockingly high as previous years. While HHS Secretary Alex Azar credits that success to President Donald Trump’s policies, other experts say that it’s because states’ insurance departments have been working to blunt the attacks to the law. Meanwhile, Azar took a swing at Democrats’ “Medicare for All” plan, saying it’s too good to be true.
Judiciary Committee Set To Vote On Kavanaugh Following Emotional, Heated Hearing That Riveted Nation
It’s unclear whether Republicans have the votes to get Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh through following the fireworks of Thursday’s hearing, but the votes are set both for the committee and the full Senate, with procedural votes on Saturday and Monday and a final confirmation vote on Tuesday. Meanwhile, experts dig into the psychological trauma of sexual assault and Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony.
Surgeon General: It’s ‘A Social Responsibility To Get Vaccinated’ For The Flu
Health officials are urging everyone get a flu shot this year. “I’m tired of hearing people say, ‘Well, I didn’t get sick and I didn’t get the flu shot.’ Or, ‘I don’t like it, my arm hurts,’” said Jerome Adams, U.S. Surgeon General. “Those 80,000 people who died last year from the flu, guess what? They got the flu from someone.”
First Edition: September 28, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.