Latest KFF Health News Content

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Trump Talks Tough On Drug Traffickers, Immigrants, But Leaves Out Funding Details For New Opioid Plan

Morning Briefing

“If we don’t get tougher on drug dealers, we are wasting our time,” President Donald Trump said in New Hampshire while offering an overview of his plan to fight the opioid crisis. While some advocates lauded elements of the blueprint, questions about additional money and a focus on punishment raised some concerns.

Adults Skipping Vaccines May Miss Out On Effective New Shingles Shot

KFF Health News Original

Federal health officials recommend that adults get a number of vaccinations, including protections against shingles, the flu, pneumonia, tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. But immunization rates are generally low.

Congress Tackles The Opioid Epidemic. But How Much Will It Help?

KFF Health News Original

President Trump, speaking Monday, called for a tough-on-crime federal approach. Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, legislative strategies to combat this pressing public health problem are gaining momentum, but experts are not certain these approaches will make a difference.

Maryland’s Ambitious Program To Cut And Control Health Care Costs Is Actually Paying Off

Morning Briefing

The changes instituted by the program had hospitals taking steps to better coordinate patients’ chronic conditions with nursing and rehabilitation facilities, primary care doctors and others inside and outside of the hospitals.

NIH Wooed Alcohol Industry To Foot Bill For Study That Could Show Benefits Of Daily Drinking

Morning Briefing

The fundraising may have violated National Institutes of Health policy, which prohibits employees from soliciting or suggesting donations, funds or other resources intended to support activities. In other public health news: colorectal cancer, Stephen Hawking, the human genome, second-hand marijuana smoke, maternal health, and more.

Indictments Announced In Federal Probe Into ‘Nationwide Conspiracy’ Over Opioid Marketing Tactics

Morning Briefing

Along with the indictments, two Insys Therapeutics sales employees have agreed to cooperate with officials in the investigation, a signal that feds may be moving closer to building a case against executives at the drug company.