Latest KFF Health News Stories
Following the surgeon general’s rare public health advisory, The New York Times offers a look at common questions surrounding the anti-overdose medication. In other news on the epidemic: Congress is wrapping up work on legislation aimed at fighting the crisis; a panel of advisers warns NIH about accepting money from drug manufacturers; a study finds that accidental drug overdoses in Rhode Island have declined; and more.
G. Ford Gilbert’s IV insulin infusions for diabetes wounds have been called scams, but still his nationwide system of clinics that offer the procedures has been thriving.
Pharma’s Defeat In Doughnut Hole Battle Possible Harbinger Of Things To Come For Powerful Industry
Despite an intense lobbying push, drugmakers weren’t able to convince lawmakers to let them off the hook for beneficiaries that fall into the doughnut hole, raising questions about the industry’s current clout. Meanwhile, a drug distributor has been accused of illegally pooling leftover cancer medications to sell to providers; Norvatis is buying gene-therapy company AveXis; a powerful pharmaceutical company dabbles in vineyards; and more.
Since then-Gov. Terry Branstad transferred management of the state’s Medicaid program to for-profit companies back in April 2016, the system has come under fire from critics.
Virginia Republicans’ Resistance To Expanding Medicaid Starting To Crack
Two Republican state senators said this week they would accept some form of broader Medicaid benefits. The issue has sparked a fiery debate in the state, with the Senate blocking the House’s attempts to expand the program. Lawmakers are holding a special session to try to resolve the fight.
Medical Device Industry Could Be Hit Hard By Potential China Tariffs
A growing number of products, as well as their components, are now manufactured in China. One report estimated that if the proposed 25 percent tariffs took effect, the move could cost the medical device industry up to $1.5 billion each year.
Primary Care Doctors Being Pushed To Brink Of Extinction By Mega Mergers And Urgent Care Clinics
The face of the health care industry is changing, and more people are flocking to quick-fix urgent clinics over hard-to-get-into doctors offices.
Reinsurance is geared toward helping insurance companies protect themselves when they are hit by an unexpectedly high claim, which helps lower premiums for consumers. But Minnesota’s fix, while successful, is just temporary for now. Meanwhile, voters continue to rank health care as a top issue for the upcoming midterms.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Former California State Contractor Sued Over Breach Of HIV Patient Privacy
A lawsuit claims that a private company hired by the state public health department to manage enrollment in an AIDS drug assistance program for low-income patients inadvertently allowed unauthorized access to their medical status.
A Tale Of Two CT Scanners — One Richer, One Poorer
Why is the price of a CT scan 33 times higher in an hospital emergency room than in an outpatient imaging center just down the street?
Must-Reads Of The Week From Brianna Labuskes
Happy Friday! Welcome to the inaugural edition of KHN’s Friday Breeze. As the newsletter editor at Kaiser Health News, I read hundreds of health stories a week, and I’m here each Friday to sum up the more important ones — interesting reads, news that will have lasting impact, unique takes on the big problems in the […]
Dialysis Patients Sign Up For November Ballot Fight
Frustrated by dialysis centers they call dirty and understaffed, patients and health care workers rallied across California Thursday before delivering more than 600,000 signatures to election offices in support of a ballot initiative intended to improve patient care.
Editorial pages focus on these and other public health problems.
Research Roundup: Dating Violence; Marijuana And Opioids; Pediatric Flu Deaths
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Media outlets report on news from Hawaii, Colorado, New Hampshire, Kansas, California, Maryland, Illinois, Virginia, Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York, Washington, Florida and Oregon.
Body Of CDC Researcher Who Had Disappeared Is Found
Police said there is no indication of foul play in Timothy Cunningham’s death.
Doctor’s Struggles Show How Promising Research Ideas Can Founder In Obscurity
Dr. Victor Gurewich is sure that he’s found a way to break up blood clots. However, decades later his idea has yet to gain traction in the medical community. In other public health news: new brain cells in older adults; menthol cigarettes; a strange side effect of marijuana use; and more.
New Hampshire State Lawmakers Take Step Forward On Medicaid Expansion Legislation
The movement comes despite lawmakers’ hesitation on some of the details in the final package. “There are things in this bill that I don’t like. There are things in this bill that each of us don’t like, but that’s the nature of compromise,” said state Rep. Jerry Knirk (D-Freedom). Medicaid news comes out of Iowa, Ohio and New Mexico, as well.
MedPAC Suggests Cutting Reimbursement Rates For Some Stand-Alone Emergency Departments
If the payment change is enacted, urban facilities would be paid similarly to off-campus facilities that are not open 24/7 and lack additional support personnel to handle trauma or non-urgent issues.