Latest KFF Health News Stories
Cost To Collect Unpaid Health Premiums In Minnesota Would Cost More Than What Would Be Recovered
While Minnesota Department of Human Services wants to close its books on the matter, some Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature are pushing legislation that could force DHS to collect payments it’s owed by July 1.
An analysis finds that the new medications, which could carry a $8,500 price tag, are not cost effective. In other pharmaceutical news, a gene therapy trial for Duchenne muscular dystrophy has begun, and an online pharmacy is fined for importing counterfeit cancer drugs.
Emotionally Fraught Debate Over Religious Objections To Abortions Heats Up
The Trump administration’s new division shields workers who object to abortion, assisted suicide, or other procedures they say violate their conscience or deeply held religious beliefs is sparking a legal, ethical and political battle over providing health care.
The case combines lawsuits from hundreds of cities, states and counties against the drug industry and its role in the opioid epidemic.
Drug Distributors Summoned To Testify In Front Of Congress About Their Role In Opioid Epidemic
The hearing, scheduled for May 8, is being likened to when tobacco executives were called in front of Congress in the 1990s. Representatives from McKesson, Cardinal Health, AmerisourceBergen, Miami-Luken and H.D. Smith Wholesale Drug Company will testify. Meanwhile, lawmakers continue to work toward a bipartisan package to get to the floor by May.
Puerto Rico’s Slow-Going Recovery Means New Hardship For Dialysis Patients
Since massive Hurricane Maria struck in September and knocked out the dialysis center on the tiny satellite island of Vieques, more than a dozen patients needing treatment now must fly several times a week to the main island.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
PrEP Campaign Aims To Block HIV Infection And Save Lives In D.C.
Washington, D.C., is trying to stop new cases of HIV in the district by making sure residents who might be at risk are taking PrEP, medicine that cuts the risk of contracting the virus by 92 percent.
Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ It’s Nerd Week
In this episode of KHN’s “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Sarah Kliff of Vox.com, Stephanie Armour of The Wall Street Journal and Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Post discuss the Trump administration’s latest effort to revise rules for next year’s Affordable Care Act marketplaces. They also discuss state efforts to stabilize their individual markets in light of some of the changes being made at the federal level.
Una condición común y poco conocida: la pérdida de memoria luego de una cirugía
La disfunción cognitiva postoperatoria (DCP), puede afectar a un número considerable de adultos mayores después de una cirugía, y durar por largo tiempo.
Editorial pages focus on these and other health topics.
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets report on news from Texas, Colorado, Georgia, Arizona, Ohio, Maryland, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois and New York.
“Rampage” is the latest movie to feature CRISPR as a plot device. Stat takes a look at what it gets right and wrong. In other public health news: exercise, OB-GYNs, heart valves and memory loss.
Risk For Zika Through Sexual Transmission May Last For Shorter Time Than Originally Thought
A new study finds that the risk appears to dissipate after one month. But experts say they’re not willing to change guidelines just quite yet.
Self-Described Night Owls Had Higher Chance Of Dying By End Of Study Than Early Birds
It’s unclear exactly why night owls are more likely to die than the early risers in this time period, and the study didn’t offer explanations. “We think the problem is really when the night owl tries to live in a morning-lark world,” said lead author Kristen Knutson.
ACLU Sues Kentucky Over Ban On Common Abortion Method Used After 11 Weeks
The dilation and evacuation procedure was used in 537 of 3,312 abortions done in Kentucky in 2016. For women in their second trimester who are covered by the ban, the result is severe — “extinguished access” to abortion in Kentucky, the suit said.
Cities Feeling Financial Squeeze Of Naloxone As They Try To Rein In High Overdose Rates
“Every week, we count the doses we have left and make hard decisions about who will receive the medication and who will have to go without,” said Baltimore Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen. In other news on the crisis: more Americans are seeing the epidemic as a significant issue; lawmakers want to pass legislation to curb crisis soon; a look at the effects of stopping long-term use; and more.
Another Jury Finds Fault With Johnson & Johnson Over Baby Powder Product
This time, Johnson & Johnson was ordered to pay $80 million in damages on charges the company hid that its products were tainted by asbestos.
‘Bad Blood’: New Book Reveals Secrets, Lies And Absurdities At Theranos
Stat offers the juciest — and strangest — tidbits from reporter John Carreyrou’s new book on the once-promising blood-testing startup.