Latest KFF Health News Stories
Under Immense Pressure Following Shooting, GOP And Trump Open To ‘Small Steps’ On Gun Control
President Donald Trump signaled some support for legislation that would strengthen background checks for guns, but the proposed measure wouldn’t have stopped the Florida shooting as the gunman had no criminal record. Media outlets also take a look at what states have done in tightening restrictions and where they’ve had success.
First Edition: February 20, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Reducing Red Tape For Traveling Nurses
A multistate nursing agreement allows nurses to work in numerous states without the hassle and expense of obtaining licenses in each one. More than half of states have signed onto an upgraded version of the agreement — but not California.
Anthem Calls On Eye Surgeons To Monitor Anesthesia During Cataract Surgery
The insurer says it is not usually medically necessary to have an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist on hand during the common surgery.
Estudiante universitaria recibe una cuenta de $17,850 por una prueba de orina
Esta historia forma parte de una serie en la que KHN investigará cuentas médicas sorprendentes enviadas por los usuarios.
Para abaratar el costo de los medicamentos, estados quieren importarlos de Canadá
Algunos estados buscan impulsar al gobierno federal para que allane el camino para comprar stocks de medicamentos en Canadá con el fin de abaratar los costos y ahorrarle dinero a las arcas estatales.
Viewpoints: Medicaid Work Requirements Are Brazen; Lessons From Opioid Crisis On Caring
Opinion writers focus on these and other health topics.
Editorial pages focus on the mass shooting at a high school in Florida this week.
Research Roundup: Kidney Disease; Bariatric Surgery Outcomes; Medicare Wellness Visits
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Media outlets report on news from D.C., North Carolina, Minnesota, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin.
Flashy Improvements Are Turning Gene-Editing Technology Into Swiss Army Knife Of Treatments
Scientists were already excited about CRISPR’s potential as a total game-changer in curing illnesses, and now it’s been taken up another level. In other public health news: stem cells, gut bacteria, neighborhoods’ effects on health, and smog.
Mystery Deepens Over Head Injuries Of U.S. Diplomats In Cuba
The diplomats showed signs of a concussion, though they received no blows to the head. Experts are stumped on what happened.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee has launched an investigation into how that slipped by regulators’ attention. News on the opioid crisis comes out of Maryland, Pennsylvania and Arizona, as well.
Against all virus strains, this year’s vaccine has been 36 percent effective midway through a harsh flu season. “We are a bit concerned that the performance of the vaccine right now might reduce interest in getting vaccinated in the future,” said Dr. Anne Schuchat, acting CDC director.
Investigation In Aetna’s Approval Process Expands Into More States
The inquiry kicked off after statements by a former medical director came to light that he never looked at patients’ records when deciding whether to approve or deny care. Aetna says the comments were taken out of context. Meanwhile, Anthem is changing its emergency room program after it received pushback from providers and lawmakers.
Ohio Law Banning Down Syndrome Abortions ‘Unconstitutional,’ ACLU Says In Suit
The suit seeks to delay enforcement of the law, which is scheduled to go into effect March 23.
Trump Administration Sued Over ‘Wrongful Termination’ Of Teen Pregnancy Prevention Grants
The Obama-era Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program was designed as a five-year program, but grantees reported last summer they had received letters informing them the program would be terminated at the end of June 2018 — two years ahead of schedule.
Legislation Making It Tougher To File ADA Complaints Passes House On Mostly Party-Line Vote
Proponents of the bill said the changes would protect businesses from frivolous lawsuits, but advocate groups warned that the changes would shift the burden to people with disabilities who aren’t able to access public spaces instead of the businesses in violation of the ADA.
Virginia Lawmaker Becomes First Republican In State To Explicitly Call For Medicaid Expansion
Republicans in Virginia have been softening their stance against expansion in recent weeks because of the Trump administration’s decision to grant work requirement waivers.
Imposing Work Requirements Just Tip Of Iceberg In Administration’s Goal To Restructure Medicaid
Lifetime limits and monthly premiums are just some of the other ideas states are floating after being encouraged by the Trump administration to retool their Medicaid programs. Media outlets report on Medicaid news out of California, New Hampshire, Kansas, Maryland and New York, as well.