Latest KFF Health News Stories
Lessons Were Learned From Recent Epidemics, But We’re Still Not Prepared Enough, Expert Says
Dr. Raj Panjabi talks about what experts have learned since Ebola, and the devastating effects cuts to foreign aid would have on the health of Americans. In other public health news: regulating beauty products, stem cells, a “miraculous” oxygen treatment and more.
Uptick In Teen Overdose Deaths ‘A Red Flag’ Mirroring A Trend Seen In Adults
But experts say the increase might just be statistical noise and not indicative of a crisis quite yet. Meanwhile, a look at the company behind the software that links prescription drug monitoring databases.
Trump Looked Like An Answer To Prayers In Counties Suffering Most From ‘Deaths Of Despair’
But residents are now losing hope that the president will be able to change the cycle of alcohol, drugs and suicide that has hit these places so hard.
Business Groups Bemoan Medicare’s ‘Step Backward’ On Payments Based On Value
The Trump administration’s decision last week to slow down efforts to move to bundled payments for some surgeries has raised concerns. Also, Stat looks at the new Medicare information on hospices
White House’s Vaccine Safety Commission Has Mostly Fallen Off Radar
Stat talks with Robert Kennedy Jr., who had been approached by President Donald Trump to chair such a panel.
The Obama administration rule tried to ban nursing homes from requiring residents to sign an arbitration agreement before being admitted to the facility — a standard practice in the industry.
How Typically Risk-Averse Insurers Are Helping Save Obamacare
Companies are stepping in to sell plans in the pockets of the country where other insurers left residents with no options for ACA coverage.
Upon Returning From Recess, Republicans Will Face Ticking Clock To Shore Up Marketplaces
Lawmakers will need to scrounge up 60 votes in 12 days to pass their bipartisan bill. Meanwhile, another plan from Sens. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) and Bill Cassidy (R., La.) gains traction among Republicans and three former HHS chiefs urge Republicans to stabilize the system.
First Edition: August 21, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Home Visits Help New Parents Overcome Tough Histories, Raise Healthy Children
A program that provides $400 million in federal funding for the visits expires next month. Advocates and providers hope it will be reauthorized with a higher level of funding — but some worry that might not happen.
Despite Advance Directive, Dementia Patient Denied Last Wish, Says Spouse
Oregon court says Alzheimer’s patient Nora Harris must be spoon-fed. But her husband says she never wanted to live like this.
Too Few Patients Follow The Adage: You Better Shop Around
Three-quarters of participants in a newly released study said they did not know of resources for comparing health care costs, while half said that if a website were available to provide such information, they would use it.
Viewpoints: Californians Need Safe Water; A Simple Way To Save People From Overdosing
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Opinion writers offer their thoughts on the issues facing the health law.
Research Roundup: Labor Force Participation After The ACA; Childhood Firearm Injuries
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Media outlets report on news from Connecticut, Missouri, Ohio, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Texas, California, New Mexico, Oregon and Tennessee.
Colorado Hospital President Resigns After Managing Transition To New Owner
News outlets look at hospital news across the country, including an analysis of how Tianqiao Chen’s purchase of a large stake in Community Health Systems could affect that large chain.
Large Mass. Health Care System Drops Out Of Networks Being Planned For Medicaid
UMass Memorial Health Care said it will continue to care for MassHealth patients but it won’t join in the accountable care organizations being formed as the state revamps Medicaid. Meanwhile, a California health care system is moving some of its Medicaid patients to clinics instead, and Utah formally submits a request to the federal government for a limited Medicaid expansion for some homeless people.
Trump Signs Law To Aid WWII Vets Exposed To Mustard Gas
The legislation was advanced through Congress by Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) and requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to reconsider denied disability benefits for those who claimed the testing caused health problems.
Guns Account For Higher Suicides Rates In Rural Areas Over Urban Ones, Study Finds
Suicides-by-firearm are 66 percent higher in thinly populated counties than in urban counties. There is little regional disparity in non-firearm suicide rates. In related news, experts target teens in suicide prevention efforts while the California prison system reports an increase in suicide attempts among women inmates.