Latest KFF Health News Stories
HHS Has Been Quietly Reversing Strides Made In Fostering, Protecting LGBT Heath Care
The LGBT population can be vulnerable to discrimination in health care settings, but the Trump administration says the changes within HHS are part of an approach to include LGBT health as part of its broader strategy. Meanwhile, a top HHS communications official becomes the latest in the administration to move to the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
Gap Between People Who Can’t Afford Health Care And Those Who Can Barely Afford It Stokes Resentment
For those that don’t qualify for Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, the requirement for insurance coverage can seem unfair. Meanwhile, the congressional spending deal raises doubts about what lawmakers are doing to control health costs that are only expected to get worse.
Is Alzheimer’s A Glitch Of Our Brain’s Ancient Immune System?
Connecting Alzheimer’s and the immune system was a radical idea at first but these scientists pushed on. In other news, FDA has opened the doors to drugs that would treat people who have biomarkers of a disease but aren’t yet showing symptoms.
One Of The Best Weapons To Fight Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia: A Toothbrush
A new study finds that pneumonia is far more pervasive than people realized and at the same time hospitals aren’t doing enough to combat it. In other public health news: immunotherapy, horsepox, autism, alcohol, viruses, and more.
There’s Hope That Worst Of This Nasty Flu Season Might Actually Be Over
While officials can’t say that the season has peaked yet, there is data showing that it has started to plateau. In related news: officials say three out of four children who died from the flu had not gotten a flu vaccine, and the company that makes FluMist wants the popular vaccine to make a comeback.
How Doctors ‘Treating The Bad Guy’ Had To Put Emotions Aside To Care For Patient
Not all of the trauma patients the staff at Broward Health North hospital cared for were victims. “We just picked people we know can stay cool,” Dr. Nichiporenko said about choosing the team of medical professionals who treated the shooting suspect, Nikolas Cruz.
Politicians Talk Link Between Mental Health, Gun Violence. But What Are The Facts?
The New York Times fact checks politicians’ rhetoric about mass shootings and mental health. And advocates are voicing frustrations over the misconception that the two are always connected. “The vast majority of gun violence is not attributable to mental illness,” said Dr. Louis Kraus, forensic psychiatry chief at Chicago’s Rush University Medical College.
Under Immense Pressure Following Shooting, GOP And Trump Open To ‘Small Steps’ On Gun Control
President Donald Trump signaled some support for legislation that would strengthen background checks for guns, but the proposed measure wouldn’t have stopped the Florida shooting as the gunman had no criminal record. Media outlets also take a look at what states have done in tightening restrictions and where they’ve had success.
First Edition: February 20, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Reducing Red Tape For Traveling Nurses
A multistate nursing agreement allows nurses to work in numerous states without the hassle and expense of obtaining licenses in each one. More than half of states have signed onto an upgraded version of the agreement — but not California.
Anthem Calls On Eye Surgeons To Monitor Anesthesia During Cataract Surgery
The insurer says it is not usually medically necessary to have an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist on hand during the common surgery.
Estudiante universitaria recibe una cuenta de $17,850 por una prueba de orina
Esta historia forma parte de una serie en la que KHN investigará cuentas médicas sorprendentes enviadas por los usuarios.
Para abaratar el costo de los medicamentos, estados quieren importarlos de Canadá
Algunos estados buscan impulsar al gobierno federal para que allane el camino para comprar stocks de medicamentos en Canadá con el fin de abaratar los costos y ahorrarle dinero a las arcas estatales.
Viewpoints: Medicaid Work Requirements Are Brazen; Lessons From Opioid Crisis On Caring
Opinion writers focus on these and other health topics.
Editorial pages focus on the mass shooting at a high school in Florida this week.
Research Roundup: Kidney Disease; Bariatric Surgery Outcomes; Medicare Wellness Visits
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Media outlets report on news from D.C., North Carolina, Minnesota, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin.
Flashy Improvements Are Turning Gene-Editing Technology Into Swiss Army Knife Of Treatments
Scientists were already excited about CRISPR’s potential as a total game-changer in curing illnesses, and now it’s been taken up another level. In other public health news: stem cells, gut bacteria, neighborhoods’ effects on health, and smog.
Mystery Deepens Over Head Injuries Of U.S. Diplomats In Cuba
The diplomats showed signs of a concussion, though they received no blows to the head. Experts are stumped on what happened.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee has launched an investigation into how that slipped by regulators’ attention. News on the opioid crisis comes out of Maryland, Pennsylvania and Arizona, as well.