Latest KFF Health News Stories
Nearly Everyone Has Frequent Heart Palpitations, But We Still Don’t Know Much About Them
Those not-quite-right beats that people feel could be absolutely nothing or a sign of a serious problem. In other public health news: autism and ultrasounds, statins, end-of-life discussions, alcohol, standing desks and more.
Bulk Of People Who Use Heroin Are Functioning Addicts. Here’s A Look At Their Lives
CNN talks to people addicted to heroin who are still holding down jobs, paying bills and fooling their families. In other news on the national drug crisis: Ohio sues four major opioid distributors; the judge overseeing hundreds of lawsuits against drug companies wants the DEA to release painkiller data; a look at how much the epidemic has cost New York City; and more.
After ‘Especially Difficult’ Flu Season, FDA Panel To Weigh Changes To Next Year’s Vaccine
The FDA is looking at why this year’s vaccine had a low effectiveness rate. Meanwhile, public officials are trying to make it clear that the vaccine itself can’t cause the flu epidemic.
Disaster-Response Preparedness Bill Could Hold Lots Of Goodies For Pharma
The Pandemic All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act is up for renewal this year, and drugmakers are already lining up with their hands out. In other pharmaceutical news: a judge rules that Martin Shkreli can be held responsible for $10.4 million in losses related to his tenure at Turing Pharmaceuticals; an analysis finds oversight of compounding pharmacies improved; and a tweet sends one biotech company’s stocks soaring.
The vast majority of those dollars — more than $167 million — would be covered by the federal government, Republican Gov. Matt Bevin said. Medicaid news comes out of Virginia, New Mexico, and Florida as well.
“This is not easy,” Warren Buffett said about the new health initiative between his company, Amazon and JPMorgan. “If it was easy, it would have been done.”
White House Chief Of Staff Tries To Soothe Veterans Groups’ Concerns Over Scandal, Infighting At VA
Leading advocacy groups, including the American Legion, the VFW and the Disabled Veterans of America, are worried about conservatives’ interest in shifting toward privatized care for veterans. They see Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin as an ally.
Supreme Court Hears Arguments For ‘Fair Share’ Case That Could Potentially Cripple Unions
The justices will hear a case on a rule that requires non-union employees at union-affiliated workplaces to pay “fair share” fees. Public sector employees who are not union members are required to pay these fees because the union’s collective bargaining is meant to benefit all employees equally. Nearly 1.5 million workers in health care occupations are represented by unions.
A law currently bars Medicaid from paying for treatment in mental health facilities with more than 16 beds. The administration has already opened the way for states to seek waivers from the policy in cases involving treatment for substance abuse, so mental health treatments could be next. Meanwhile, outlets look at what Congress can realistically do on gun control, what states are taking action, and the limits on gun research.
The states also say in the suit that because the health law doesn’t have a “severability clause” — a provision that says if one part of the law is struck by the courts, the rest would stand — if one part of it is struck down, the rest is invalid.
First Edition: February 27, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Following The Fire: Montana Scientists Seize Chance To Scrutinize Smoke Exposure
The health effects of extended smoke exposure are largely unknown because it’s difficult to conduct studies. But last summer’s wildfire season has handed scientists a unique opportunity for research.
At Some California Hospitals, Fewer Than Half Of Workers Get The Flu Shot
Vaccinations rates have climbed significantly among hospital workers in recent years, to 83 percent. But that rate masks wide variation among facilities and types of workers. Nationally, the rules are far from uniform or ironclad.
Refusing To Work For Medicaid May Not Translate To Subsidies For ACA Plan
In states that are instituting work requirements for Medicaid coverage, refusing to get a job will not likely make you eligible for subsidies to buy a marketplace plan.
Viewpoints: Short-Term Insurance Is Bad Policy; Limits On Genetic Testing Would Harm Cancer Patients
Editorial pages highlight these health issues and others.
Media outlets report on news from Maryland, California, New York, Wisconsin, Arizona, Florida, Minnesota, Georgia, Michigan, Virginia, Massachusetts and Missouri.
Professionals Open Up About Unwritten Rules Regarding Racial Issues In Health Workplaces
Despite many of the nation’s hospitals pledging to increase diversity on their boards and in their management and physician workforces, health care remains predominantly white. Black professionals talk about the obstacles they face breaking into the industry.
Who Needs Romance When You Have Gene Compatibility? New App Matches Users Based On DNA
Experts say there isn’t much science supporting the idea that you can find a genetically compatible date. In other public health news: cough syrup, medical research, Googling symptoms, back pain, heart health and more.
Heart Bypass Surgery Used To Be Considered Risky, But Advances Have Made It Safer And Safer
Deaths before being discharged from the hospital are down to between 1 and 3 percent.
Childhood Obesity Hopes Dashed: Rates Are Not Declining, Contrary To Earlier Reports
The latest analysis shows that the percentage of children ages 2 to 19 who are obese increased from 14 percent in 1999 to 18.5 percent in 2015 and 2016. “Clearly, obesity remains a problem,” says Asheley Skinner, of Duke University. Other news on children focuses on screening for depression and warnings about irritability.