Latest KFF Health News Stories
Opinion writers focus on these health issues and others.
Longer Looks: Treating Parkland Victims; Fraudulent Food Science; And Russia’s HIV Epidemic
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets report on news from Florida, Minnesota, Illinois, Georgia, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Missouri, Virginia, California, Ohio, Arizona, Wisconsin and Texas.
The restructuring of MassHealth is among the most significant health care initiatives to come from the administration of Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican who has been focused on containing the costs of the massive program. In other Medicaid news: work requirements, premiums, and opioids.
As Rural Hospitals Close, Communities May Be Forced To Make Tough Decisions
Hospitals tend to be cornerstone institutions in rural communities, but many of them, under financial stress, are closing. Meanwhile, Community Health Systems’ stock dropped amid reports of a $2 billion net loss in the fourth quarter.
After Daughter’s Death From Flu, Mother Leads Charge Against Anti-Vaccination Mentality
Three-quarters of this year’s pediatric flu deaths were in children who did not have a flu shot. In other public health news: eye health, c-sections, the “obesity paradox,” diet soda, the cosmetics industry and hydration.
Rise In Transgender Surgeries May Be Result Of Expanded Insurance Coverage, Experts Say
The number of people who were paying out of pocket for transgender surgeries plummeted to 39 percent between 2012 and 2014. Now, virtually every major medical association in the United States has described transition-related surgeries as “medically necessary.”
Everyone’s Talking About Fighting Opioid Crisis, But Advocates Still Aren’t Seeing Any New Money
President Donald Trump plans to discuss the national epidemic with administration officials on Thursday, following this week’s Capitol Hill hearings, about ways to curb the crisis. But advocates on the front lines are struggling with deep funding challenges.
Administration’s Decision To Halt Abortions Among Undocumented Minors Lacked Legal Vetting
Documents released by the ACLU show the decisions were made informally by email, memos and conversations rather than going through the normal legal process.
Antiquated System Shrouded In Secrecy Keeps Patients In The Dark About Bad Doctors
Doctors who get in trouble in one state can just move on to another, and often practice free and clear despite having been publicly disciplined, chastised or barred from practicing by state medical boards.
This Patent Lawyer May Be Most Powerful Man In Washington When It Comes To Curbing Drug Costs
Newly installed Patent and Trademark Office Director Andrei Iancu holds substantial sway over an intellectual property system that, critics say, has allowed drug makers to extend their monopolies through legal but questionable tactics. In other pharmaceutical news: orphan drugs, FDA regulations, the “Pharma Bro” and more.
Lawmakers Mull Complicated Maneuver To Stabilize Exchanges Without Having To Find Budget Offsets
While the process would be complex, the end result would be simple: It would allow Republicans to fund the insurer cost-sharing reductions without having to find a way to pay for them. In other health law news, an analysis projects that the administration’s expansion of association plans will lead to 4.3 million people leaving the individual and small-group insurance markets.
Walmart, Dick’s Will Institute Age Bans On Guns And No Longer Sell Assault-Style Rifles
The moves by the companies come as other major corporations have been distancing themselves from the NRA after the mass school shooting in Florida.
Bipartisan Group Of Senators Argue Ban On CDC Gun Research No Longer Makes Sense
A 1996 amendment prohibits the CDC from using funds to advocate for or promote gun control; while the language in the measure didn’t expressly prevent scientific research, it was ambiguous and the agency sharply curbed its research into gun violence. Meanwhile, advocates are taking advantage of the spotlight directed toward mental health to call attention to gaps in the system.
In a televised session on Wednesday, President Donald Trump signaled support on everything from expanded background checks, increased school security and mental health resources, and age limits. Trump also suggested that law enforcement officials should be able to confiscate people’s firearms without a court order.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Tens Of Thousands Of Medicaid Recipients Skip Paying New Premiums
Five states demand small payments from those who gained coverage under the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion, but enrollees often face few consequences if they don’t make their remittances.
ACA’s Popularity Grows, Even As GOP Lauds Change To Requirement To Have Coverage
Forty percent of people are unaware that Congress repealed the penalty for most people who don’t have insurance coverage starting in 2019.
Cartoon Mascot Masks Nasty Health Care Feud
California’s health insurers trotted out a heart-healthy character with an ulterior motive — taking a dig at drugmakers.
¿Nunca es tarde para operar? Las cirugías al final de la vida son comunes y costosas
Muchos abuelitos se exponen a procedimientos que hacen más mal que bien, afectando su calidad de vida en el poco tiempo que les queda de vida.