Latest KFF Health News Stories
Rebranding as WW, the 55-year-old company is also creating new rewards programs and blending in popular cultural trends like mindfulness, connecting with others and moving more.
Sepsis can be a catastrophic, life-threatening condition, and patients in the study require critical care. But, in an effort to determine which method works best against sepsis, the patients are limited to one type of treatment. In other public health news, malaria, birth centers, Ebola, and recovery from paralysis.
Judge Dismisses Clinical Labs’ Challenge To A Multibillion-Dollar Medicare Reimbursement Cut
U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson said that the court has no jurisdiction to hear the case because Congress “expressly precluded judicial review” of such issues. Meanwhile, as Medicare’s open enrollment season creeps closer, there are some traps for new beneficiaries to avoid.
Democratic Candidate In Massachusetts Gubernatorial Race Snags NARAL Support
NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts PAC says it needs a “vocal champion” and has found one in Democrat Jay Gonzalez, who is running against Republican incumbent Gov. Charlie Baker. More news on midterm races and ballot initiatives comes out of Massachusetts, Tennessee and Texas.
Money Managers Betting On Stability, Success Of Health Care Stocks
Rising interest in health care stocks coincides with surging profits across the industry. Plus, the needs of an aging population are expected to insulate companies from a downturn.
The pledge called on countries to develop national action plans to reduce demand for illicit drugs through education, expand treatment efforts, strengthen international cooperation on justice, law enforcement and health, and cut off the supply by stopping production.
Lawmakers, Advocates Accuse Pharma Of Trying To Hijack Opioid Bill With ‘Doughnut Hole’ Change
The pharmaceutical industry has been trying to get Congress to change a law passed earlier this year that requires drug manufacturers to provide deeper discounts to Medicare beneficiaries whose spending on prescription drugs falls within a range called the coverage gap. The fast-moving, massive opioid package seemed like a perfect opportunity for the drug companies, but the move is sparking outrage from some lawmakers and consumer advocates.
The company says that it’s offering the generic treatment so that it can lower costs for patients, but skeptics say Gilead’s expensive hepatitis C drugs has put them behind competitors who are offering much cheaper versions. Meanwhile, an Associated Press investigation finds that it’s been mostly business as usual for pharma, despite President Donald Trump’s vows to cut drugs costs.
Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and his original accuser Christine Blasey Ford will testify on Thursday in front of the Judiciary Committee, a hearing that many moderate Republicans say will be crucial to figuring out how to proceed. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, however, is standing firm on pushing for a full Senate vote as early as next week.
First Edition: September 25, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
5 Things To Know About Trump’s New ‘Public Charge’ Immigration Proposal
Trump administration officials say the policy would promote “immigrant self-sufficiency and protect finite resources.” Critics say it could have serious public health consequences.
Parents Are Leery Of Schools Requiring ‘Mental Health’ Disclosures By Students
Florida school districts now have to ask if a new student has ever been referred for mental health services. It’s a legislative attempt to help troubled kids. Will it work, or increase stigma instead?
Workers Overdose On The Job, And Employers Struggle To Respond
Despite the growing epidemic of Americans misusing opioids and overdosing on the job, many employers turn a blind eye to addiction within their workforce — ill-equipped or unwilling to confront an issue they are at a loss to handle.
Editorial pages look at these health care issues and others.
Opinion writers weigh in on the allegations against Brett Kavanaugh.
Perspectives: While Congress Sleeps, The Opioid Crisis Continues To Get Worse
Editorial writers weigh in on the nation’s opioid epidemic.
Media outlets report on news from D.C., Missouri, California, Virginia, Ohio, Texas, Kansas, Florida, Wisconsin and Georgia.
And scientists are starting to think we need to create a new mouse model. In other public health news: dyslexia, alcohol, depression, autism, organ transplants, sleep and more.
Results of a large clinical trial were reported Sunday. “It’s a huge advance,” said Dr. Howard Herrmann, the director of interventional cardiology at the University of Pennsylvania. “It shows we can treat and improve the outcomes of a disease in a way we never thought we could.” Other reports on heart health focus on dangerous, undiagnosed holes in the heart and the benefits of fish oil.
The agency is tasked with making sure that compounded drugs, which are made at facilities that don’t have to meet the same standards as regular drug manufacturers, are safe. Director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research Janet Woodcock says that her inspectors are seeing concerning problems, but lacks resources to be truly effective.