Latest KFF Health News Stories
Safety Report Spotlights Trend Of Urban Hospitals Performing Poorly
The Leapfrog Group has released its spring safety report that gives grades to hospitals across the country.
Scientists Take Step Closer To Designing Drug That Offers Powerful Pain Relief Without Addiction
In the midst of the opioid crisis, researchers are scrambling to come up with a way to help patients manage pain without contributing to the epidemic. These scientists may have found a way. In other news: a Senate panel sends its bipartisan opioid bill to the chamber’s floor; Google is using its homepage to bring awareness to the crisis; public speakers at FDA advisory meetings found to have financial conflicts of interest; and more.
Hospitals To Be Required To Post Prices Online As Part Of CMS Push To Increase Transparency
The price lists may still be confusing to consumers, though, because standard rates are like list prices and don’t reflect what insurers and government programs pay. “Given the inherent complexity of hospital billing, making prices easy to understand is clearly a lot easier said than done,” says Shawn Gremminger, of Families USA.
FDA Launches Undercover Sting Operations To Target Juul Devices That Are Popular With Teens
So far the agency has sent warning letters to 40 retailers that it says violated the law banning sales of vaping devices to anyone under 21. “We don’t yet fully understand why these products are so popular among youth,” FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said. “But it’s imperative that we figure it out, and fast.”
Dr. Ronny Jackson has been accused of overseeing a hostile work environment where staff had to “walk on eggshells” around him, drinking while on overseas trips and then banging on a female employee’s hotel door, and doling out prescription medications with such frequency as to earn the moniker “the candy man.”
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
California Lawmakers Seek Reparations For People Sterilized By The State
More than 20,000 Californians were sterilized at state homes and hospitals from 1909 to 1979, most of them women, people with disabilities and immigrants. Now, a state lawmaker wants to provide reparations to the roughly 800 living survivors, many of whom never consented to the procedures or did so under pressure.
Peak Health Plan Premiums Give Rise To Activism — And Unconventional Solutions
For people who buy their health coverage rather than get it from the government or through work, Charlottesville, Va., has claimed the title of having the country’s highest health insurance costs, and its residents are fighting back.
Cuatro nuevas razones para evitar la multa por no tener seguro de salud
Nuevas reglas permitirán pedir exenciones al requisito de pagar una multa por no tener coebrtura de salud, en base al lugar de residencia y a la opinión sobre el aborto.
Por qué activistas no quieren que una gran conferencia de SIDA se realice en el país
Restricciones en la entrada al país de usuarios de drogas y trabajadoras sexuales hacen que activistas de San Francisco cuestionen que el área sea sede de la próxima Conferencia Internacional de SIDA.
Allegations Directed Toward VA Nominee Include Practice Of Overprescribing, Drinking On The Job
Members of President Donald Trump’s legislative affairs team huddled Tuesday morning to discuss the nomination. After the meeting, a White House official said there were no current plans to withdraw Jackson’s name.
Editorial pages focus on these and other health topics.
Media outlets report on news from Kansas, Minnesota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Connecticut, Ohio, California and Iowa.
California Must Move Toward Single Payer To Avoid Fiscal Emergency, Gubernatorial Candidate Says
The issue of whether California should move toward a single-payer health system is proving to be a litmus test for candidates in the gubernatorial race. While some support it despite what they say are it’s flaws, others blast it as costly and unrealistic.
Familiar Double Helix DNA Strands Aren’t The Only Ones That Show Up In Human Cells
Scientists have found DNA structures that more resemble a tangled knot — and they seem like they may be fairly common in cells. In other public health news: “helicopter” children; E. coli; dirty scopes; and puberty.
Doctors Need To Make Postpartum Maternal Care An Ongoing Process, New Guidelines Recommend
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have released guidelines in the midst of the country’s public health crisis over maternal deaths.
What Happens When Voters OK Medicaid Expansion, But Governor Refuses To Listen?
Medicaid supporters took the issue to Maine’s voters, who gave the green light to expansion. But Gov. Paul LePage (R) refuses to budge until lawmakers find a way to fund the program, leaving the state in limbo. Medicaid news comes out of Texas, Iowa and Missouri, as well.
Humana To Scoop Up Curo As Part Of Plan To Create Nation’s Largest Hospice Operator
Humana, TPG Capital and Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe had also previously announced plans to buy Kindred Healthcare’s hospice business.
Indicator Of Hospitals’ Financial Health Hits Low Not Seen In Past Decade
The prior low point of the median hospital operating cash flow margin came in 2008, when it reached 9.1 percent, when the deep recession sharply slowed growth in insurers’ spending on hospital care.
Prince’s Family Sues Hospital, Walgreens Pharmacy Over Performer’s Death From Fentanyl Overdose
The wrongful death lawsuit accuses a doctor and pharmacist at Trinity Medical Center in Rock Island, Ill. of failing to do enough to try to prevent a second overdose. The six heirs also accuse two Walgreens pharmacists of improperly dispensing prescription medication to Prince.