Latest KFF Health News Stories
Truvada is the closest thing there is to an AIDS vaccine — several studies have shown that users who take the drug daily are at nearly zero risk of HIV infection. But lifetime disability providers see it as a red flag.
Emboldened By Medicaid Work Mandate, States Begin Eyeing Lifetime Limits
To date, five states — Maine, Arizona, Utah, Wisconsin and Kansas — have applied for waivers to put a cap on how long Medicaid beneficiaries can receive health benefits. Critics of lifetime limits say they would fundamentally shift Medicaid from a health care safety net program for the poor and sick to a welfare program.
The Wall Street Journal reviewed the financial history of Robert Weaver, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Indian Health Services, and found that he has filed for personal bankruptcy and has liens against one of his businesses. Elsewhere in the administration, documents show that HHS worked with a conservative group to find ways to defund Planned Parenthood.
HHS’ $95.4 Billion Budget In Trump’s Plan: CDC Faces Big Cut, But NIH And FDA Get A Boost
“The president’s budget makes investments and reforms that are vital to making our health and human services programs work for Americans and to sustaining them for future generations,” Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said in a statement.
Trump Takes Aim At Medicare, Medicaid In $4.4 Trillion Budget Proposal
From gutting safety net programs to funding the opioid epidemic battle, President Donald Trump’s budget includes a host of health issues. The proposed cuts released Monday are unlikely to come to pass, as Congress controls the purse strings, but the plan is a good blueprint of the administration’s priorities.
First Edition: February 13, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
At Some Veterans Homes, Aid-In-Dying Is Not An Option
Citing fears of losing federal funds, California is the latest state to require discharge of terminally ill residents from state veterans homes if they plan to end their lives with lethal drugs.
Maryland Offers Many Insured Men Free Vasectomy Coverage
But state officials are trying to get assurances from the Internal Revenue Service that the new law does not conflict with federal rules for health savings accounts.
Trump’s Budget Proposal Swings At Drug Prices With A Glancing Blow
The Trump administration rolled out a list of actions to attack drug prices, but most dance around the edges.
KHN On NPR: The Uniquely American Problem Of High Prescription Drug Costs
Kaiser Health News Editor-in-Chief Elisabeth Rosenthal discusses drug costs with Scott Simon, the host of NPR’s Weekend Edition. Listen to the broadcast and read a transcript of that conversation.
Médicos aprenden a hablar con sus pacientes sobre el final de la vida
Una guía busca ayudar a los médicos a conversar con sus pacientes terminales sobre un tema crítico que no siempre se aborda de la mejor manera.
Reportan más casos de una infección por un hongo extraño y mortal
En 2016 se registraron solo siete casos, pero a finales de 2017 sumaron 200. El Candida auris es resistente a muchos antibióticos y se disemina en ámbitos hospitalarios.
Viewpoints: Regardless Of Fiscal Issues, Don’t Underfund CDC; Trump’s Health Care Agenda Is ‘Robust’
Opinion writers expressed views on health care topics.
Media outlets report on news from Texas, Iowa, California, Hawaii, Washington, Maryland, Minnesota, Georgia, Oregon, New Orleans, Ohio, Wisconsin, Arizona and New Hampshire.
Our Smartphones Are Training Us To Expect Rewards Just Like Pavlov’s Dogs
Researchers look at the brain chemistry behind our addiction to smartphones. In other public health news: the common cold and the Olympics, a new malaria drug, the dreaded hospital gown, sugar cravings, superbugs, and more.
‘We Were Hoping To Have Better News’: Flu Continues To Get Worse For Yet Another Week
The latest weekly report shows 1 out of every 13 doctor visits last week was for fever, cough and other symptoms of the flu, matching the peak levels during the 2009 swine flu pandemic, and 1 in 10 of all deaths reported in the United States were caused by flu or pneumonia. Meanwhile, the severity of the season is driving up profits for those in the health industry.
In Effort To Reduce Number Of Opioid Deaths, NYC Weighs Pros And Cons Of Safe Injection Sites
“What’s most important to us is saving lives,” says Kassandra Frederique, the New York director of the Drug Policy Alliance. Nearly four overdose deaths occur daily in New York City. While the U.S. has not opened any official centers yet to monitor safe drug use, dozens are being funded across Canada.
Under Intense Fire For Role In Opioid Epidemic, Purdue Announces It Will Stop Marketing OxyContin
The company also cut its sales force in half and plans to send a letter Monday to doctors saying that its salespeople will no longer come to their clinics to talk about the company’s pain products. Purdue is facing numerous lawsuits from counties, cities and states for its aggressive marketing tactics.
A Look At Amazon’s Health Benefits Administrator Gives Hints Of What’s To Come With New Initiative
Making better use of patient data is at the heart of Amazon’s effort.
Health Provisions In Congress’ Budget Touted As ‘Beacon Of Light’ In The Legislation
Health providers were pleasantly surprised by some of the health care wins that were achieved through the budget deal that was hammered out last week.