Latest KFF Health News Content

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Tests Of Public School Water Faucets In NYC That Were Found To Have Lead Show 9 Percent Still Have Unsafe Levels

Morning Briefing

But New York City Department of Education officials said 99 percent of the roughly 142,000 potential drinking water fixtures in the city’s public schools tested at or below the state action level of 15 parts per billion.

In 2017, Humanity Across The Globe Had Its Gloomiest Year In More Than A Decade

Morning Briefing

The increase in negative experiences around the world was driven largely by rising worry and stress. “When you’re talking about 154,000 interviews for the entire world, that’s actually a lot,” said Julie Ray, the chief writer and editor of the report. In other public health news: smoking alternatives, medial device hacking, caring for Latino patients, whole-fat dairy, sleep apnea, flu shots, and more.

Any Gun In Active Shooting Incident Is Deadly, But Danger Is About Doubled With Semi-Automatic Weapon

Morning Briefing

“Active shooters are hell-bent on killing people,” said the analysis’ lead researcher Dr. Adil Haider. “The big difference — and this is not such a big surprise — is if you give them a semi-automatic, they’re able to shoot twice the number of people.” But, the chance of dying if hit is equally great no matter the gun type.

Kendra’s Law Program Was Meant To Fix Flawed Mental Health System, But Critics Say It’s Just A Band-Aid

Morning Briefing

Nearly two decades after Kendra’s Law was instituted, following the shocking death of Kendra Webdale, advocates say it is underutilized and underfunded. The law was intended to plug the gaps in New York’s mental health system that the man who killed Kendra slipped through.

As Florence Barrels Toward Carolinas, Hospitals Brace For Storm’s Impact

Morning Briefing

Coastal hospitals that have long endured threats from hurricanes are in the midst of into time-tested emergency preparations, while inland hospitals are gearing up to take in acute patients transferred from the coast.

Tent Shelter For Immigrant Minors To Be Expanded, But Officials Say Decision Is Unrelated To ‘Zero Tolerance’ Policy

Morning Briefing

But critics jumped on the announcement. “This administration has resorted to putting kids in tents rather than pushing for comprehensive immigration reform while Congress sits complicit with inaction,” said Texas state Rep. César Blanco (D-El Paso). “It’s immoral and un American.”

Maine Residents Encouraged To Apply For Medicaid Under Voter-OK’d Expansion, But Governor Says He’ll Deny Them

Morning Briefing

“I don’t know why the Legislature refuses to acknowledge that Medicaid is not free,” Republican Gov. Paul LePage said. Advocates have been encouraging residents to apply for benefits, but LePage is remaining staunchly against the expansion. Medicaid news comes out of Nevada and Iowa, as well.

Senate Poised To Vote On Massive Opioid Package, But Advocates Still Say It Doesn’t Do Enough

Morning Briefing

Although the vote will likely give lawmakers running for re-election in states hit hard by the epidemic a talking point, enough differences remain between the Senate and House versions that there’s still a lot of work to be done before it gets to the president to sign. And advocates are disappointed with what didn’t make it in the legislation. Meanwhile, Purdue is offering free addiction treatment medication as part of its efforts to settle the flood of lawsuits it is facing.

Drug Company Executive Justifies Price Hikes In Era Of Public Shaming: ‘It Is A Moral Requirement To Make Money’

Morning Briefing

Despite the general outrage over drug prices and the Trump administration’s attempts to curb the hikes, Nostrum Laboratories CEO Nirmal Mulye’s comments show how little public shaming actually works on some in the industry.

Russian Trolls Tapped Into Health Law Rhetoric To Sow Discord, Pitting Sides Against Each Other

Morning Briefing

It’s not just hot-button topics like vaccinations that are exploited by the Russian trolls. Substantive health policy issues have been hijacked as well. Meanwhile, the Congressional Budget Office says that if the House delays or repeals certain parts of the health law — such as the employer mandate — it would cost more than $50 billion.

Doctor To The Stars Disciplined Over Use Of Controversial Menopause Therapy 

KFF Health News Original

Dr. Prudence Hall has made a name for herself in the field of “bioidentical hormones” — plant-based compounds purportedly customized for each patient’s needs. Experts say the popular approach is unproven; California regulators say she was grossly negligent in her care of two patients.