Latest KFF Health News Stories
Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ The State Of The (Health) Union
In this episode of KHN’s “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Alice Ollstein of Talking Points Memo and Julie Appleby and Sarah Jane Tribble of Kaiser Health News discuss President Donald Trump’s promises to reduce drug prices in his first State of the Union Address. The panelists also discuss the departure of the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention after conflict-of-interest reports and the efforts by some states to flout the Affordable Care Act.
Marihuana: con leyes más flexibles, médicos aconsejan a embarazadas no fumar
Muchas embarazadas, especialmente las más jóvenes, consumen marihuana durante la gestación. Pero los médicos enfatizan los riesgos que acarrea para el niño este hábito.
CDC Chief Resigns Following Reports She Traded In Tobacco Stocks While Running Agency
“After advising Secretary Azar of both the status of the financial interests and the scope of her recusal, Dr. Fitzgerald tendered, and the Secretary accepted, her resignation,” the Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement.
Viewpoints: Lessons From This Year’s Flu: Much More Funding Is Needed; ‘Anti-Vax’ Theories Are False
Opinion writers express views on remedies to curb future flu epidemics and other health issues:
Different Takes: Will Amazon’s Venture Be A Breakthrough In Lowering Healthcare Costs?
Editorial pages feature writings on the new initiative between Amazon, JP Morgan and Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
Perspectives: Despite Its Inefficiencies, FDA’s Voucher Program For Drugs Should Be Called A Success
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Pharma’s Finger Pointing Game, Congress’ Inaction Among Reasons Drug Prices Haven’t Been Curbed
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Media outlets report on news from Ohio, Minnesota, California, Missouri, Georgia, Virginia, Texas, Oregon, Louisiana, Wyoming and Wisconsin.
It’s Easy To Blame A Flagging Willpower For Binge Eating, But Study Shows Hormones Play A Role
A new, small study looks at late-night binging and how complex hormones can trigger the overeating. In other public health news: hookworms, the flu and an “emotional support” peacock.
FDA Targets Anti-Diarrhea Treatment In Campaign To Curb Overdoses From Over-The-Counter Drugs
The Food and Drug Administration has asked the manufacturers of anti-diarrhea treatment to package the product differently to make it harder for the drug to be abused. The key ingredient in anti-diarrhea medications like Imodium is part of the opioid family. In other news, a pain medication with a checkered past may offer an alternative to opioids, Attorney General Jeff Sessions says the Drug Enforcement Administration is planning on targeting pharmacies as part of its crack down efforts, Congress tries to tackle the issue, and more.
Pfizer Announces Plans To Invest $5B In U.S. Manufacturing Citing Positive Tax Law Revisions
The pharmaceutical giant said it will also hand out one-time bonuses this quarter to non-executive employees.
Congressional Brinksmanship Over Children’s Coverage Scars Families
In a pitched partisan battle, lawmakers took more than three months to fund the Children’s Health Insurance Program while families that depend on that insurance waited nervously. In Medicaid news, a Virginia legislative committee moves toward seeking a work requirement for non-disabled adults getting Medicaid benefits. News outlets also report on developments in New Hampshire, Delaware, Montana, New Mexico and Indiana.
CMS Sees Sharp Drop-Off In Number Of Doctors Opting Out Of Medicare
One theory for the decrease is that MACRA ended the need for providers to renew opt-out affidavits every two years; now opt-outs can be indefinite, and providers must ask to rejoin the program. Meanwhile, health providers are excited about hints that Medicare may change its policy on medical consultations that start over the phone.
A Game-Changer Or ‘Corporate PR’? Billionaires’ Health Initiative Draws Skepticism, Curiosity
But experts seem to have a common tone: it’s going to be pretty hard to “disrupt” the fairly intractable health industry. Media outlets take a deeper look at the partnership between Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan, where it could be headed, what may be involved and how it already rattled the stock markets.
In Scathing Note, Oversight Chairman Slams HHS’ ‘Posture Of Nonchalance,’ Threatens Subpoena
House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chair Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) wants information from the Department of Health and Humans Services on the Puerto Rico public health crisis, opioids, Medicare and more.
CDC Chief Bought Tobacco Stocks One Month Into Job Leading Nation’s Efforts Against Smoking
“You don’t buy tobacco stocks when you are the head of the CDC. It’s ridiculous; it gives a terrible appearance,” said Richard Painter, who served as George W. Bush’s chief ethics lawyer from 2005 to 2007.
Trump Briefly Touches On Individual Mandate Repeal, Opioid Epidemic In State Of The Union
President Donald Trump touted Republicans’ steps toward gutting a crucial part of the health law and said efforts to crack down on immigration will help the opioid epidemic. Media outlets fact check these and other statements.
First Edition: January 31, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
As Marijuana Laws Relax, Doctors Say Pregnant Women Shouldn’t Partake
Some mothers who smoke pot see it as a harmless remedy for everything from pain to postpartum depression. But doctors say the active ingredients in marijuana can be passed onto the baby and may affect developing nervous systems.
Expert Advice For The Corporate Titans Taking On Health Care
Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan Chase & Co. are partnering up to address employee health care costs and improve satisfaction. Can they deliver? And would repackaging health insurance involve drones?