Latest KFF Health News Stories
Genealogical Sleuthing Sets Scientists On The Trail To Better Understanding Inherited ALS
A small town in Appalachia and a family there could offer clues about the debilitating disease. In other public health news: pregnancy, organ donors, alcohol, soy milk and more.
If Legal Immigrants Used Medicaid They Could Be Denied Green Card Under Proposed Plan From Trump
Under long-standing federal law, a noncitizen can be denied admission or permanent legal status if immigration authorities determine the person is likely to become a “public charge” — that is, someone reliant on government programs. The Trump administration’s proposal would dramatically expand the criteria used to determine whether someone is likely to become a burden.
Lawmakers Turn Up The Heat On Painkiller-Makers In Investigation Of Their Role In Opioid Crisis
The House Energy and Commerce Committee wants Purdue Pharma, Mallinckrodt, and Insys Therapeutics to provide documents about their relationships with doctors and sales reps, among other things. Meanwhile, singer Demi Lovato speaks out about her addiction after being hospitalized for an overdose.
But U.S. District Judge Dana Sabraw also directed the ACLU to create a steering committee to work with the federal government in its efforts to locate the parents. Meanwhile, new numbers show that far fewer parents than the government first reported waived the chance to be back together with their children before being deported.
Just Because Extended Short-Term Plans Are Allowed Doesn’t Mean Insurers Are Ready To Offer Them
With such short notice for the upcoming year, experts predict consumers will see more changes in insurers’ plans in 2019 rather than an immediate rush to make sweeping changes.
Gubernatorial Candidates Banking On ‘Medicare For All’ Enthusiasm Instead Of Playing It Safe
Although the Democratic party is split on whether to champion a progressive idea that could make candidates vulnerable to attack from Republicans, many on the trail are being vocal about their support for “Medicare for All.”
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
In Weary Post-Storm Puerto Rico, Medicaid Cutbacks Bode New Ills
The island’s government must squeeze $840.2 million in annual savings from Medicaid by 2023, part of the U.S. territory’s agreement with the federal government as Puerto Rico claws its way back from fiscal oblivion. Experts warn such drastic cuts defy actuarial science.
Must-Reads Of The Week From Brianna Labuskes
KHN’s newsletter editor, Brianna Labuskes, wades through hundreds of health articles from the week so you don’t have to.
Viewpoints: Powerful Lessons On Depression, Health Hardships For Shelterless Homeless People
Opinion writers express views on these and other health care topics.
Editorial pages focus on the opioid crisis.
Opinion writers express views on the changes facing health care.
Research Roundup: Firearm Injuries; Mortality Among Homeless; And Opioids
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Media outlets report on news from Puerto Rico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, California, Kansas, Massachusetts, Colorado, Florida, Oregon, Iowa and Illinois.
The bill’s sponsor says medical marijuana is often necessary for children with debilitating conditions to be able to attend school. News on marijuana also comes out of New York, Oregon, Colorado and Missouri.
‘I Heard The Screams, The Horrific Screams’: Woman Says She Was Given C-Section Without Anesthesia
The lawsuit claims that the anesthesiologist wasn’t responding quickly enough, so the hospital started on the emergency procedure anyway. The woman passed out from the pain, and her baby was delivered successfully.
Samples that are stripped of any identifying details are extremely lucrative to pharmaceutical companies and other medical organizations, but the consumers have no way of knowing when their data is used. In other public health news: birth defects, Ebola, scooter injuries, brain surgery, and more.
Medicaid Beneficiaries Sue New York For Expanded Coverage For Medically Necessary Dental Work
New York’s program has a ban on dental implants and limits on replacement dentures that some beneficiaries say is affecting their overall health. Medicaid news comes out of Illinois as well.
Case On Pregnant Immigrant Teen Offers Glimpse Of Where Kavanaugh Stands On Roe V. Wade
Although critics of Brett Kavanaugh are focusing on abortion rights to oppose the Supreme Court nominee, there is not a lot in his record that reveals his stance on the issue.
Token Concessions From Pharma Give Trump Victories While Costing Companies Almost Nothing
There has been a lot of fine print in all the price cutting talk from the pharmaceutical industry in recent weeks. For example, most targeted old products that no longer produce much revenue.