Latest KFF Health News Content

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Louise Slaughter, Who Played Key Role In Health Law Passage, Dies At 88

Morning Briefing

Rep. Louise Slaughter, of New York, was chairwoman of the rules committee when Democrats were in the majority in the House from 2007 to 2010. The panel controls the debate and amendment process on the House floor, and she used its power to advance the Affordable Care Act, which passed the House by just five votes in 2009.

Trump Aims To Cut Prescriptions By A Third In New Opioid Plan, But Call For Death Penalty Nabbing Most Attention

Morning Briefing

President Donald Trump’s plan to battle the opioid crisis includes a fresh public-awareness campaign about drug abuse, a research-and-development partnership between the National Institutes of Health and pharmaceutical companies into opioid prescription alternatives, tougher sentences for fentanyl traffickers, and screening of all prison inmates for opioid addiction.

Docs Worry There’s ‘Nowhere To Send’ New And Expectant Moms With Depression

KFF Health News Original

California’s legislature will soon take up a bill that would require doctors to screen pregnant women and new mothers for mental health problems. Many doctors oppose the idea, and laws elsewhere haven’t increased the number of moms treated.

Matrimonio captura en video sus últimos días de vida

KFF Health News Original

Bajo la ley de muerte digna de Oregon, Charlie y Francie Emerick, casados durante 66 años y ambos con enfermedades terminales, decidieron morir el mismo día, tomados de la mano. Una de sus hijas grabó el video.

With Some Republican Support, Virginia Edges Closer To Medicaid Expansion

KFF Health News Original

More than a dozen Republicans in the Virginia House of Delegates voted to expand Medicaid, and at least one state senator may be leaning in favor of expansion. It will be the hot topic as legislators are called back to Richmond to hash out a budget in the special session starting April 11.

Two Drug Crises Collide In Older Patients Being Prescribed Opioids While Hooked On Benzos

Morning Briefing

But even apart from the added dangers of opioids, advocates say there are too many older Americans relying on anti-anxiety drugs and sleep medications. In other public health news: genetic tests, mutations, our ancestors, heart health, CTE, adults on Adderall, and more.

After Mass Shootings, ‘Why?’ Often Becomes The Most Important Question No One Can Answer

Morning Briefing

A month after the Parkland, Fla. school massacre, officials still don’t have an explanation for the event. Meanwhile, more states are creating anonymous tip lines to try to prevent a similar tragedy from happening again. And a wrongful death lawsuit in Connecticut could decide if gunmakers can be held responsible for mass shootings.

Families Fear ‘Last Chance To Have Babies May Be Gone’ After Losing Eggs In Fertility Clinic Failures

Morning Briefing

“Their dreams of future children were irrevocably destroyed,” Adam Wolf, the lawyer for a family suing the San Francisco fertility center, said. “They entrusted their eggs and embryos after exhausting other avenues to have children.”