Latest KFF Health News Stories
Aumenta el uso de una droga que previene el VIH, pero no entre minorías
Cerca de 300,000 hispanos podrían beneficiarse de PrEP, pero de ese número, solo 7,600 han recibido una receta.
Editorial writers focus on these health topics and others.
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets report on news from Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, Minnesota, Arizona, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Kansas, Ohio, California,
Ohio Law Banning Down Syndrome Abortions Blocked From Taking Effect
Judge Timothy Black said it was “highly likely” opponents of the measure would succeed in arguing the law is unconstitutional. Also, state lawmakers in Iowa are reconsidering banning abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected.
In the city where they work, the mayor and a House subcommittee plan steps to investigate why the maternal mortality rate in Washington, D.C., is among the nation’s highest. Also in public health news: traffic deaths; obesity; and e-cigarettes.
As Painkiller Pendulum Swings Toward Tighter Controls, Hospitals Cope With Lack Of Access To Opioids
In the midst of the drug crisis, there’s been a nationwide crackdown on pain medication. But hospitals still need to use them to treat patients. Meanwhile, the House will consider 25 bills aimed at curbing the epidemic, and a look at how many overdoses are actually suicides.
“We want our Congress to know that some of us will be old enough to vote in the midterm elections, and the rest of us are going to be able to vote in 2020 or 2022, and they’re going to lose their job if they don’t do what we want to keep us safe,” said Fatima Younis, a student organizer with Women’s March Youth Empower, one of the lead coordinators of Wednesday’s walkouts.
Prisoners Can’t Afford Pricey Hep C Drug Costs, But States Don’t Have Money For Treatment Either
Some say it’s cruel and unusual punishment to deny prisoners medication that could treat their disease, but officials say “you can’t buy something you don’t have any money for.”
House’s Surprising Defeat Of Right-To-Try Legislation Isn’t End Of The Road, Lawmakers Say
The easiest path forward for lawmakers who support the legislation is to go through the normal rules process so they can pass it on a simple majority.
Fertility Center Where Eggs Were Damaged Faces Accusations Of Gross Negligence In Class-Action Suit
Pacific Fertility is one of two centers that experienced glitches on the same day that compromised frozen eggs, which shook the industry.
Modern Healthcare analyzed data to find that the system disproportionately benefits specialty hospitals.
Safety Net Work Requirements Beyond Medicaid Waivers Stall From Lackluster Support
The Trump administration’s plan was to have more federal agencies that control non-cash aid, like housing vouchers and food assistance, to impose work requirements on beneficiaries. But there does not seem to be much of an appetite to push for the changes beyond additional requirements for Medicaid recipients. Medicaid news comes out of Kansas and Ohio, as well.
After Pa. Special Election Results, Democrats May See Health Care As Winning Issue In Midterms
A majority of people who voted in the race ranked health care as a top issue. And voters who said it was the most important issue to them favored Democrat Conor Lamb over his Republican opponent, Rick Saccone, 64-36 percent. Meanwhile, the CBO projects that a bill to stabilize the marketplace will reduce premiums by 10 percent as Republicans start coming around to adding the provision to the spending bill.
For now Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin’s job seems to be safe because of his powerful supporters. And the fact that no one else really wants the job.
America’s Health Insurance Plans, once a powerful lobbying force, has lost big-name members UnitedHealth Group, Aetna and Humana over the past few years. Marilyn Tavenner took the helm in 2015 and is handing over the reins to Matt Eyles, the group’s chief operating officer.
Theranos CEO To Be Barred From Company, Pay $500K To Settle SEC’s ‘Massive Fraud’ Charges
Elizabeth Holmes did not admit or deny the allegations that she exaggerated or lied about her blood-testing technology while raising $700 million from investors.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
For Aspiring Doctors With Disabilities, Many Medical Schools Come Up Short
A national survey finds that medical schools should do more to help doctors with disabilities thrive. Although some schools do make needed accommodations, others need to take basic steps to help.
Everything You Need To Know About The New Medicare Cards (But Beware Of Scams)
Starting in April, new Medicare cards will be issued to the program’s 59 million enrollees. The new cards address serious security concerns, yet there are growing “scams” linked to the rollout.