Latest KFF Health News Stories
Senate’s ‘Right To Try’ Legislation Needs Tweaks, House Energy And Commerce Chairman Says
“There’s a way to work through this that will work for patients and patient safety, will work for terminally ill patients and not give false hope,” said House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-Ore.).
With Health Care For 9 Million Children On The Line, Congress Barrels Toward Shutdown
The House passed the short-term funding bill after threats from the Freedom Caucus died down, but it appears unlikely it will get through the Senate. The legislation, which includes a six-year extension for the Children’s Health Insurance Program, would fund the government through Feb. 16. Media outlets take a look at what will happen if the lawmakers can’t pass it.
First Edition: January 19, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Judge Orders New Olympus Trial Over Superbug Death
The Seattle jurist finds that Olympus Corp. failed to properly disclose evidence that it knew of concerns about cleaning problems with its redesigned medical scopes years before they hit the market and were linked to dozens of deaths. The company maintains the devices were not defective and intends to appeal.
It’s In The Mail: Aetna Agrees To $17M Payout In HIV Privacy Breach
In a low-tech snafu, information about HIV treatment was visible through the cellophane window on envelopes sent to about 12,000 consumers.
Podcast: What The Health? Our First Live Show: What The Health Will Happen In 2018?
In this episode of “What The Health?” — taped before a live audience — panelists discuss the potential federal government shutdown and what may be in store for health in 2018. They are joined by former Medicare and Medicaid head Tom Scully.
Aetna acuerda pagar $17 millones por revelar estatus de miembros VIH positivos
La aseguradora envío cartas en las que era visible la parte en la que se mencionaba que los destinatarios estaban tomando medicamentos contra el VIH.
A selection of opinions on health care issues from around the country.
Opinion writers weigh in on the nation’s opioid epidemic.
Longer Looks: The Presidential Physical; The Opioid Crisis; And A Junk Food Tax
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets report on news from California, Connecticut, Maryland, Illinois, Missouri, Minnesota and Massachusetts.
Trauma Experts See ‘Glimmer Of Hope’ In Abused Calif. Children’s Road To Mental, Physical Recovery
Police found the 13 siblings malnourished and chained to furniture, held captive by their parents. Experts say there is definitely hope for them to fully recover psychologically from the abuse, but they do have hurdles to overcome.
Doctors worry that people will dismiss the severity of the flu, but this year is not the year to write it off.
In A World Where Workplace Suicide Is Increasing, Colleagues Are Being Taught To Spot Warning Signs
Bringing in mental health counselors to help workers recognize when one of their colleagues may need help is just one of the steps that employers are taking to prevent, prepare for and react to their employees’ suicide. In other public health news: loneliness, obesity, a late-in-life career change, and gum disease.
Could Product That Helps Customers Dispose Of Unused Opioids Help Curb Crisis? Walmart Thinks So.
The company will distribute the powder product — which turns into a gel that fuses the unused pill together inside the prescription bottle — to customers filling opioid prescriptions. In other news on the epidemic: Republicans say Medicaid expansion is fueling the crisis, but Democrats say that has no basis in facts; a study suggests a counterintuitive way to get patients off painkillers faster; and more.
Iowa Medicaid Chief Tells Lawmakers He Will Make Managed Care Work
“I believe we are down the managed-care course at this point, and that’s where we’re going to stay,” Department of Human Services Director Jerry Foxhoven told the Iowa Senate Human Resources Committee. In other Medicaid news, Oregon residents are voting on a plan to raise taxes on hospitals and health insurance to help fund the program, Connecticut officials and hospitals are wrangling over plans there to raise taxes to get more money for Medicaid and the Alabama governor says she wants to set up a work requirement for non-disabled adults.
Some States’ Health Law Enrollment Numbers Soar, While Others Falter
Minnesota saw record numbers and a smooth overall sign-up period, but preliminary reports tell a different story for other states.
It Was ‘Supposed To Be Our Safety Net’: Turmoil In Long-Term Insurance Industry Hits Customers Hard
Almost every insurer in the business badly underestimated how many claims would be filed and how long people would draw payments before dying. People are living and keeping their policies much longer than expected, which is making the business unsustainable for the companies. In other marketplace news, some of Humana’s employees will be getting a wage increase thanks to the Republicans’ tax plan, and Aetna has agreed to settle claims over a privacy breach.
In A ‘Shot Across The Bow Of The Bad Guys,’ Hospitals Decide To Try Making Their Own Drugs
Hospitals have long borne the brunt of price increases in the industry, facing shortages of drugs like morphine or encountering sudden hikes for old, off-patent products. Sick and tired of it, they’re taking measures into their own hands. In other pharmaceutical news: updates on the 340B drug program debate and legislation on over-the-counter drug approvals.
Cardiologists Dispute White House Physician’s Rosy Assessment Of Trump’s Heart Health
The doctors, who have not examined Donald Trump, find it alarming that the president’s LDL levels remain above 140 even though he is taking 10 milligrams of Crestor, a powerful drug that is used to lower cholesterol levels to well below 100. Meanwhile, Trump’s doctor credited his genes for his good health, but experts say the president shouldn’t bank on that forever.