Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
As Surgery Centers Boom, Patients Are Paying With Their Lives
An investigation by Kaiser Health News and the USA TODAY Network discovers that more than 260 patients have died since 2013 after in-and-out procedures at surgery centers across the country. More than a dozen — some as young as 2 — have perished after routine operations, such as colonoscopies and tonsillectomies.
Buried In The Budget Bill Are Belated Gifts For Some Health Care Providers
How physical and occupational therapists triumphed in a two-decade-long quest to overturn limits on their compensation.
State Pay Cut For Dental Hygienists Who Serve The Poor Was Illegal, Court Finds
California officials should have obtained federal approval before they cut reimbursement rates for dental hygienists who serve frail Californians living in nursing homes and board-and-care facilities, a judge has ruled.
A Tale of Love, Family Conflict And Battles Over Care For An Aging Mother
“Edith + Eddie,” a documentary shortlisted for an Academy Award, is a gripping look at a couple in their 90s caught up in an intense family conflict. But more facts about the disputes involving a parent with dementia help to paint a complicated story about aging in America.
Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ The ACA Heads Back To Court. Again.
In this episode of KHN’s “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Joanne Kenen of Politico and Sarah Kliff of Vox discuss the latest lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act. They also explore how your health care system increasingly depends on the state you live in. Plus, for extra credit, the panelists offer their favorite health policy stories of the week.
Obamacare crece en popularidad, a pesar de los esfuerzos de Trump por eliminarlo
La encuesta de la Kaiser Family Foundation encontró que el 54% de los estadounidenses tenía una opinión favorable de la ley de salud de 2010 que expandió la cobertura a millones.
Opinion writers focus on these health issues and others.
Longer Looks: Treating Parkland Victims; Fraudulent Food Science; And Russia’s HIV Epidemic
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets report on news from Florida, Minnesota, Illinois, Georgia, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Missouri, Virginia, California, Ohio, Arizona, Wisconsin and Texas.
The restructuring of MassHealth is among the most significant health care initiatives to come from the administration of Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican who has been focused on containing the costs of the massive program. In other Medicaid news: work requirements, premiums, and opioids.
As Rural Hospitals Close, Communities May Be Forced To Make Tough Decisions
Hospitals tend to be cornerstone institutions in rural communities, but many of them, under financial stress, are closing. Meanwhile, Community Health Systems’ stock dropped amid reports of a $2 billion net loss in the fourth quarter.
After Daughter’s Death From Flu, Mother Leads Charge Against Anti-Vaccination Mentality
Three-quarters of this year’s pediatric flu deaths were in children who did not have a flu shot. In other public health news: eye health, c-sections, the “obesity paradox,” diet soda, the cosmetics industry and hydration.
Rise In Transgender Surgeries May Be Result Of Expanded Insurance Coverage, Experts Say
The number of people who were paying out of pocket for transgender surgeries plummeted to 39 percent between 2012 and 2014. Now, virtually every major medical association in the United States has described transition-related surgeries as “medically necessary.”
Everyone’s Talking About Fighting Opioid Crisis, But Advocates Still Aren’t Seeing Any New Money
President Donald Trump plans to discuss the national epidemic with administration officials on Thursday, following this week’s Capitol Hill hearings, about ways to curb the crisis. But advocates on the front lines are struggling with deep funding challenges.
Administration’s Decision To Halt Abortions Among Undocumented Minors Lacked Legal Vetting
Documents released by the ACLU show the decisions were made informally by email, memos and conversations rather than going through the normal legal process.
Antiquated System Shrouded In Secrecy Keeps Patients In The Dark About Bad Doctors
Doctors who get in trouble in one state can just move on to another, and often practice free and clear despite having been publicly disciplined, chastised or barred from practicing by state medical boards.
This Patent Lawyer May Be Most Powerful Man In Washington When It Comes To Curbing Drug Costs
Newly installed Patent and Trademark Office Director Andrei Iancu holds substantial sway over an intellectual property system that, critics say, has allowed drug makers to extend their monopolies through legal but questionable tactics. In other pharmaceutical news: orphan drugs, FDA regulations, the “Pharma Bro” and more.
Lawmakers Mull Complicated Maneuver To Stabilize Exchanges Without Having To Find Budget Offsets
While the process would be complex, the end result would be simple: It would allow Republicans to fund the insurer cost-sharing reductions without having to find a way to pay for them. In other health law news, an analysis projects that the administration’s expansion of association plans will lead to 4.3 million people leaving the individual and small-group insurance markets.
Walmart, Dick’s Will Institute Age Bans On Guns And No Longer Sell Assault-Style Rifles
The moves by the companies come as other major corporations have been distancing themselves from the NRA after the mass school shooting in Florida.