Latest KFF Health News Stories
Justice Department Throws Weight Behind Massive Lawsuit Against Companies That Make Painkillers
The lawsuit, pending in Ohio, consolidates more than 400 complaints by cities, counties and Native American tribes nationwide, who are accusing opioid manufacturers and distributors of using misleading marketing to promote the painkillers.
As Feds Chip Away At Health Law, Where You Live Will More And More Determine Access, Quality Of Care
Many Republican-led states are rolling back the law’s requirements, while blue states are building up consumer protections. This wildly different strategy will lead to a health care divide in America, experts say. Meanwhile, the legal minds behind the 20-state lawsuit against the health law are painstakingly plotting their path to the Supreme Court. And a look at Idaho’s attempts to wiggle out of regulations instituted by the ACA.
Never Too Late To Operate? Surgery Near End Of Life Is Common, Costly
Nearly 1 in 3 Medicare patients undergo an operation in their final year of life.
First Edition: February 28, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Ding Dong! The Obamacare Tax Penalty Is(n’t) Dead
When President Donald Trump signed the nation’s new tax law, he also killed the Affordable Care Act’s tax penalty — but not until 2019. Despite widespread confusion, experts caution that consumers still need to pay the tax penalty if they were uninsured last year or will be this year.
Editorial pages highlight these health topics and others.
Media outlets report on news from Massachusetts, Missouri, Texas, Illinois, Ohio, Oregon, California, Colorado, Georgia, Montana, Minnesota, Indiana, Maryland and Virginia.
Nearly Everyone Has Frequent Heart Palpitations, But We Still Don’t Know Much About Them
Those not-quite-right beats that people feel could be absolutely nothing or a sign of a serious problem. In other public health news: autism and ultrasounds, statins, end-of-life discussions, alcohol, standing desks and more.
Bulk Of People Who Use Heroin Are Functioning Addicts. Here’s A Look At Their Lives
CNN talks to people addicted to heroin who are still holding down jobs, paying bills and fooling their families. In other news on the national drug crisis: Ohio sues four major opioid distributors; the judge overseeing hundreds of lawsuits against drug companies wants the DEA to release painkiller data; a look at how much the epidemic has cost New York City; and more.
After ‘Especially Difficult’ Flu Season, FDA Panel To Weigh Changes To Next Year’s Vaccine
The FDA is looking at why this year’s vaccine had a low effectiveness rate. Meanwhile, public officials are trying to make it clear that the vaccine itself can’t cause the flu epidemic.
Disaster-Response Preparedness Bill Could Hold Lots Of Goodies For Pharma
The Pandemic All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act is up for renewal this year, and drugmakers are already lining up with their hands out. In other pharmaceutical news: a judge rules that Martin Shkreli can be held responsible for $10.4 million in losses related to his tenure at Turing Pharmaceuticals; an analysis finds oversight of compounding pharmacies improved; and a tweet sends one biotech company’s stocks soaring.
The vast majority of those dollars — more than $167 million — would be covered by the federal government, Republican Gov. Matt Bevin said. Medicaid news comes out of Virginia, New Mexico, and Florida as well.
“This is not easy,” Warren Buffett said about the new health initiative between his company, Amazon and JPMorgan. “If it was easy, it would have been done.”
White House Chief Of Staff Tries To Soothe Veterans Groups’ Concerns Over Scandal, Infighting At VA
Leading advocacy groups, including the American Legion, the VFW and the Disabled Veterans of America, are worried about conservatives’ interest in shifting toward privatized care for veterans. They see Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin as an ally.
Supreme Court Hears Arguments For ‘Fair Share’ Case That Could Potentially Cripple Unions
The justices will hear a case on a rule that requires non-union employees at union-affiliated workplaces to pay “fair share” fees. Public sector employees who are not union members are required to pay these fees because the union’s collective bargaining is meant to benefit all employees equally. Nearly 1.5 million workers in health care occupations are represented by unions.
A law currently bars Medicaid from paying for treatment in mental health facilities with more than 16 beds. The administration has already opened the way for states to seek waivers from the policy in cases involving treatment for substance abuse, so mental health treatments could be next. Meanwhile, outlets look at what Congress can realistically do on gun control, what states are taking action, and the limits on gun research.
The states also say in the suit that because the health law doesn’t have a “severability clause” — a provision that says if one part of the law is struck by the courts, the rest would stand — if one part of it is struck down, the rest is invalid.
First Edition: February 27, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Following The Fire: Montana Scientists Seize Chance To Scrutinize Smoke Exposure
The health effects of extended smoke exposure are largely unknown because it’s difficult to conduct studies. But last summer’s wildfire season has handed scientists a unique opportunity for research.
At Some California Hospitals, Fewer Than Half Of Workers Get The Flu Shot
Vaccinations rates have climbed significantly among hospital workers in recent years, to 83 percent. But that rate masks wide variation among facilities and types of workers. Nationally, the rules are far from uniform or ironclad.