Latest KFF Health News Stories
Vast Geographical, Ethnic Disparities In Infant Mortality Continue To Plague U.S.
But a recent study found that, overall, infant mortality declined in recent years.
Lawsuit May Upend Local-First Mentality When It Comes To Organ Donations
There are vast geological disparities when it comes to availability of organs for donation, but a recent lawsuit may change that. In other public health news: sugar, nursing homes, hospitals gowns, “raw water,” dental health and meat allergies.
In Nation’s First Opioid Court, Goal Shifts From Punishing Defendants To Keeping Them Alive
Participants in the court, which recognizes failure as part of the process and not something that should be punished, are required to appear daily before Judge Craig D. Hannah. Court systems around the country are watching the Buffalo, N.Y., initiative as a potential model. Media outlets report on news from the drug crisis out of California and Tennessee as well.
ACLU Alleges In Suit That Rhode Island Medicaid Wrongly Dropped People From Rolls
The Rhode Island lawsuit centers on a Medicaid program that helps elderly and disabled enrollees pay their Medicare premiums. Elsewhere, Republican Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback names a lawyer who helped fight to block Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood to serve as the interim head of the state agency that oversees the program.
Having Buyer’s Remorse Over Medicare Advantage Plan? You Can Still Switch Back
Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period, which is open until Feb. 14, allows people enrolled in an Advantage plan for 2018 to switch to original Medicare. Meanwhile, in other Medicare news, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will start reviewing Advantage networks on three-year cycles.
Trump’s Nuclear Taunt Reignites Democrats’ Chatter Over 25th Amendment, State Of His Mental Health
Last month lawmakers were briefed by a psychiatrist on the signs that might indicate President Donald Trump is having mental health issues. The president’s latest tweet on North Korea has done nothing to soothe those concerns.
‘No Significant Deterioration’ Is Expected In ACA Markets In 2018, Analysts Forecast
Since insurers have had time to adjust to “negative factors” and policy changes, analysts predict that marketplaces will remain stable for a year and maybe beyond.
Allergan To Slash Jobs In Preparation Of Generic Competition For Top-Selling Drugs
The biggest generic threat to Allergan is to its eye treatment drug Restasis. The company has taken various steps to shield Restasis from competition, notably selling its patents to an Indian tribe in New York state to avoid a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office hearing on the validity of the drug’s patents.
$850K Price Tag For Blindness Drug Makes It One Of Most Expensive In World — But There’s A Twist
In a novel arrangement, drugmaker Spark Therapeutics will offer discounts based on whether or not the drug, Luxturna, works initially and remains effective.
First Edition: January 4, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
High Praise: Pot Churches Proliferate As States Ease Access To Marijuana
Churches that offer marijuana as a sacrament are popping up across California and the U.S., vexing state and local officials who say they’re simply pot shops in disguise.
Reverberations From War Complicate Vietnam Veterans’ End-Of-Life Care
Vietnam veterans’ wartime experiences — and their lasting psychological toll — can make it harder to treat their physical and emotional pain as they approach death.
Viewpoints: GOP Still Faces An Obamacare Conundrum; What’s Up With The FDA And Food Recalls?
A selection of opinions on health care from news outlets around the country.
Perspectives: Despite Drugmakers’ Blame-Game Tactics, They Really Could Control Sky-High Prices
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Pharma’s Strategy In Dealing With Anger Over High Prices: Point Fingers At Someone Else
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Media outlets report on news from North Carolina, California, Illinois, Florida, Missouri, Colorado, Ohio and Connecticut.
Delaware Medicaid Program Plans To Cover Obesity Treatment Next Year
Next year, people who qualify for Medicaid and have a body mass index of 30 or higher will have access to at least 12 visits a year with a healthcare professional. News outlets also report on Medicaid developments in Colorado, California, Maryland and Illinois.
CMS Wants To Adjust Payments For Medicare Advantage Plans
Under the proposed changes, risk scores used to set payments would take into account certain diagnoses of mental health disorders, substance abuse disorders and chronic kidney disease. Meanwhile, the Department of Health and Human Services has finalized a rule that offers providers and payers more flexibility to share substance abuse patients’ data.
Hot New Cancer Treatments Offer Tantalizing Hope To Patients But Come With Serious Side Effects
Immunotherapy — using a patient’s own immune system to fight cancer — is sparking a revolution in cancer treatment. But with it comes a whole load of side effects and complications that even doctors can’t predict until patients get them. In other public health news: Alzheimer’s, hep C, obesity and diabetes, autism and more.
‘You Look Sick’: Humans Can Tell If Someone Is Ill From Facial Clues
Paleness, sweating and drooping around the eyes can be tell-tale signs if someone is sick. A new study finds that people can pick up on those subtle clues.