Latest KFF Health News Stories
“Just like the term ‘designated driver’ changed perceptions about drinking and driving, the term ‘Family Fire’ will help create public awareness to change attitudes and actions around this important matter,” said Kris Brown, co-president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. In other public health news: online dating, dementia, sperm count, suicide, and heart health.
Inducing Labor In Healthy Women At 39 Weeks May Actually Cut C-Section Rates, Surprising Study Finds
The common mindset leans more toward letting women’s pregnancies run their course, but the study is being billed as a game-changer for those who have uncomfortable end-of-term symptoms.
Insys To Pay $150M To Settle Criminal, Civil Investigation Into Marketing Techniques For Its Opioids
The company has figured prominently in the ongoing federal investigation into drugmakers’ role in the opioid epidemic because several former executives and employees have been arrested in connection with allegations of bribing doctors to boost sales of Subsys, its product that contains fentanyl. News on the crisis comes out of New York and Massachusetts, as well.
The national ad campaign includes Alaska and Maine, whose senators have a history of supporting abortion rights and are being watched closely for their votes on Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, in Connecticut, a panel discusses what would happen if Roe v. Wade is overturned.
A new study looked at legal immigrants’ health spending just as a federal proposal to penalize them for using Medicaid gains steam with Republicans.
The Associated Press fact checks Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-Vt.) spin on the report that analyzed the cost of the senator’s “Medicare For All” plan, which is gaining steam in the progressive wing of the Democratic Party.
Subsidies For Health Law Coverage Racing Past Cost Of Medicaid Expansion
Some worry that the spending weight that the subsidies place on the government is not sustainable, but few have any hope for fixes to the system as the law remains a political hot spot.
Would A ‘Netflix’ Subscription Model Work For Pricey Hep C Drugs? Louisiana Wants To Find Out
The state would pay a fixed amount of money for the drugs for a certain amount of time. While some are praising the effort, other experts say that because costs are coming down already, that it’s unclear whether that type of deal would really save the state money.
CVS Wants Pharma To Stop Pointing Fingers At The Middlemen When It Comes To High Drug Prices
“Drug manufacturers want you to believe that increasing drug prices are a result of them happy to pay rebates and that PBMs are retaining these rebates. And this is simply not true,” said Larry Merlo, the CEO of CVS, which owns Caremark, one of the biggest pharmacy-benefit managers. Meanwhile, the American Medical Association speaks out against CVS’ attempts to acquire insurer Aetna. And Rite Aid and Albertsons call off their merger.
Medicare’s Power To Negotiate Drug Prices Will Harm Patients With Chronic Illnesses, Advocates Warn
Medicare Advantage’s negotiating tool — requiring patients to try lower-cost treatments before the more expensive ones — is derided as a “fail first” process to those who oppose the strategy. “Consumers may have to go through one or more drugs before they can get a particular treatment they really need,” said Ellen Albritton, a senior policy analyst at Families USA. Meanwhile, there are already signals that implementing the new rules is going to be complicated.
Rep. Chris Collins (R-N.Y.) is alleged to have passed inside information on the failure of an Innate Immunotherapeutics’ drug trial to his son, who then passed it to another alleged conspirator. Collins describes the charges as “merit-less” and says he will stay in office and run for reelection. Meanwhile, House Speaker Paul Ryan says that Collins would not serve on the House Energy and Commerce Committee “until this matter is settled.”
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Learning To Live Well With Dementia
Two leading experts on caring for people with Alzheimer’s offer ways to make life better for patients and their caregivers.
Pharmacy-Made Pain Creams Flagged On Fears Of Medicare Fraud And Risk
Inspector general identifies possible problems in nearly 23 percent of pharmacies that bill Medicare for blended creams, gels and lotions.
As An Investor In Biotech Stock, Republican Chris Collins May Have Overshared
Rep. Chris Collins talked one time too many, according to federal prosecutors who on Wednesday charged him with violating insider trading laws.
Rep. Christopher Collins (R-N.Y.) is alleged to have passed inside information on the failure of a Innate Immunotherapeutics’ drug trial to his son, who then passed it to another alleged conspirator. The three avoided about $768,000 in losses as a result of the information, prosecutors allege.
GOP Congressman Chris Collins Indicted On Insider Trading Charges
The New York congressman was a major investor in an Australian biotechnology firm and prosecutors allege that he tipped off his son and others to sell stock shortly before the company reported poor results in its drug testing.
Breathing ‘A Chore’: California Wildfires Threaten The Health Of Young And Old
The state battles at least 17 large blazes, with no clear end in sight. Climate change is among the factors that fuel the fires, scientists say.
Editorial pages focus on these and other health issues.
Perspectives: Are Recent Pharma Concessions One-Off Victories When Systematic Change Is Needed?
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.