Latest KFF Health News Stories
Testing Drugs On ‘Mini-Hearts’ Created In Labs Could Prevent Clinical Trials’ Harmful Consequences
A biomechanical engineer has created the first heart organoid that contains a hollow chamber, like one of the four in actual human hearts, that responds to stress hormones and beats with electrical activity. The innovation could open doors for safe and effective research. In other public health news: sepsis, fitness trackers, cancer treatments, measles, antidepressants, and supplements.
Midwives Are Rare In U.S., But Empowering Them Could Significantly Boost Maternal, Infant Health
A new study found states that have done the most to integrate midwives into their health care systems — including Washington, New Mexico and Oregon — have some of the best outcomes for mothers and babies.
A Month On The Job And HHS Secretary Is Already Lowering Drug Prices, According To Trump
HHS Secretary Alex Azar is “setting the world on fire,” President Donald Trump said. Although Azar has signaled that drug prices are a priority, he’s not yet taken dramatic action on the subject. Meanwhile, an Illinois state lawmaker has introduced legislation intended to stop price-gouging on generic drugs.
Bloomberg Businessweek takes a closer look at the health initiative being launched by Jeff Bezos’ Amazon, Jamie Dimon’s JPMorgan Chase and Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway.
Virginia House, Senate On Collision Course Over Medicaid Expansion
After House Republicans abandoned their years-long opposition to expansion, the lower chamber included it in its proposed budget. In the Senate, though, GOP lawmakers have not softened their stance. Outlets report on Medicaid news out of Kansas and Montana, as well.
House Lawmakers To Begin Big Push On Tackling Opioid Crisis With Hearings Starting Next Week
The policies that lawmakers will examine include updating scheduling guidelines to help clamp down on synthetic opioids, letting hospice workers dispose of unused drugs, expanding access to behavioral health telemedicine in rural areas, and more. Meanwhile, a news study finds some states simply don’t have enough doctors to properly address the epidemic.
In Political Reversal, Wisconsin Governor Campaigns On Plan To Prop Up Health Law
Gov. Scott Walker, once an ardent opponent to the Affordable Care Act, is now touting his reinsurance plan that would help stabilize the marketplace for the state. In a politically charged year where health care is front of mind, experts see it as a smart move to position himself well for the elections. Meanwhile, Democrats are pushing for more information on Idaho’s move to allow plans that doesn’t meet the ACA’s rules.
Tweak To VA Choice Legislation Moves It A Step Closer Toward Privatized Veterans’ Care
The change proposes that Veterans Affairs facilities will be responsible for meeting access standards set by the VA secretary. If a facility can’t, the patient can seek out a community provider —
technically opening up VA Choice eligibility to all veterans. Currently, fewer than 1 million veterans receive care through the Choice program.
In Wake Of Florida Mass Shooting, States Stepping Up To Take Gun Control Into Their Own Hands
Four East Coast states are forming a coalition to better promote and foster gun safety, while other states mull legislation allowing “red flag” gun seizures when necessary. And Oregon passes a measure to ban those with a domestic violence conviction from owning a firearm.
“Most of these shooters are angry, antisocial individuals you cannot spot in advance, and even if you could, you don’t have the right to institutionalize them.” said Dr. Michael Stone, a forensic psychiatrist at Columbia University. Meanwhile, mental health experts are disturbed by the derisive language President Donald Trump has been using. Media outlets also take a look at the gun research and laws that might come from the shooting.
First Edition: February 23, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Evaluations Of Medicaid Experiments By States, CMS Are Weak, GAO Says
States often get federal approval to test new approaches to improve Medicaid services or expand coverage. But the GAO study found that too often these efforts are not adequately evaluated or the results are not available in a timely manner.
Ten ERs In Colorado Tried To Curtail Opioids And Did Better Than Expected
The collaboration known as ALTO, Alternatives to Opioids, set out to reduce opioid doses in the emergency room by 15 percent. It managed a 36 percent reduction instead.
Matrimonio gana millones a costa de Medicaid
Norma Díaz y su esposo, Joseph García, han dedicado sus carreras a administrar una aseguradora de salud sin fines de lucro que cubre a residentes carenciados de California. Y en el proceso, han ganado millones de dólares.
Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ The Long Wait Ends For Short-Term Plan Rules
In this episode of KHN’s “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Stephanie Armour of The Wall Street Journal and Julie Appleby of Kaiser Health News discuss the Trump administration’s proposed regulation that would allow the expansion of short-term health insurance policies that do not comply with all the requirements of the Affordable Care Act. The panelists also talk about federal funding (or not) of public health research around guns.
Después del tiroteo “hay que respetar cómo los jóvenes lidian con sus sentimientos”
Una psicóloga infantil, quien fue alumna de la escuela de Parkland en la que murieron 17 personas, explica cómo ayudar a los adolescentes en los días posteriores al terrible tiroteo.
Editorial pages focus on these health topics and others.
Opinion writers express views on health care policies.
Longer Looks: Gun Research; Kentucky’s Medicaid; And Missouri’s Death Penalty
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets report on news from Wisconsin, New Jersey, Ohio, Maryland, Minnesota, Florida, Kentucky, Virginia, South Carolina, New York, Missouri, Michigan, Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, Louisiana, California and Massachusetts.