Latest KFF Health News Stories
Emotional Wounds From Pulse Shooting Have Yet To Heal For Some First Responders
Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan says there are people who go to war and don’t see what officers saw inside Pulse.
Zika Threat Retreats, But Localities Still Look For New Ways To Fight Mosquito-Borne Diseases
Health officials say that the risk of contracting the virus in the Americas is receding, but that there is still a danger. Meanwhile, researchers look for easy, low-cost Zika testing as well as at the health impact of pesticides being used to combat mosquitoes.
At Front Lines Of Opioid Battle, Police Embrace Role Of Ally Over Enemy
Departments across the country are taking on different ways to help fight the crisis that don’t involve mass arrests. In other news, the drug epidemic is causing death rates to spike in the U.S.
Amazon To Make A Move In The Medical Supply Industry
Meanwhile, in other health IT news, health care leaders focused on ways to bring state-of-the-art technology to patients and on how health care providers should focus on the nexus of data and medicine at the University of Miami’s fourth-annual Latin American Innovation Forum.
States Weigh Changes To Medicaid As They Struggle ‘To Pay For Their Share’
Both states that expanded the health care program for low-income residents and states that didn’t are looking for creative ways to keep costs down. News outlets also report on the American Medical Association meeting and doctors’ views of the Medicaid expansion, a Missouri hospital study and prospects for an extension of the federal Children’s Health Insurance Program.
Delaware Becomes First State Under Trump To Ensure Abortion Remains Legal
President Donald Trump campaigned on a promise to overturn Roe v. Wade.
States Taking Steps To Protect Birth Control Coverage From Trump Administration Threats
“The feds can set a floor,” said Andrea Miller, president of the National Institute for Reproductive Health. “States can decide to do better.”
During Its Move To Electronic Records, Medicare Erroneously Paid $729M To Health Professionals
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services should review its incentive payments, recoup any money erroneously paid and do more to scrutinize spending, the inspector general audit recommended.
Entrepreneurs, Early Retirees Among 70,000 Iowans Threatened By Possible Insurer Pullout
State officials are working to convince the three carriers serving the individual market to stay in Iowa. In Washington state, two counties face the prospect of no insurers next year, and in Florida BlueCross BlueShield officials say the company will continue to operate next year.
Once A Model Of ACA’s Success, Kentucky Is Now Busy Unwinding Law’s Provisions
Gov. Matt Bevin says his overhaul of the state’s health system would steady the market by gradually moving people from Medicaid to private insurance plans.
Concerns Over Ever-Worsening Opioid Crisis Could Throw Wrench In Plans To Roll Back Medicaid
Republicans’ plans to dismantle and replace the Affordable Care Act could affect efforts to curb the epidemic that’s ravaging the country.
These Two GOP Senators May Play Role Of Planned Parenthood Funding Saviors
To get the support of Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) may have to drop language in the Republicans’ health law to defund the organization.
McConnell’s Gloomy Attitude Over Health Law Has Some Wondering If Larger Strategy Is At Play
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has been downplaying the chances the Republicans’ legislation has of passing the Senate. But some think his reserved comments might be all part of the game. In other news about the efforts: lawmakers begin to see a path they can take; a look at how the measure could affect middle- and working-class Americans; Twitter cheers on Sen. Claire McCaskill and more.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
In Texas, Abstinence-Only Programs May Contribute To Teen Pregnancies
Across the U.S., the number of teenagers having babies has hit a record low — it’s down to about 1 out of every 45 young women. That trend hasn’t extended to certain parts of Texas, however, where the teen birth rate is still nearly twice the national average.
Medical Responses To Opioid Addiction Vary By State, Analysis Finds
The study also found that the largest percentage of medical coverage claims related to opioid abuse and dependence nationally come from older patients — those ages 51 to 60.
‘How Long Have I Got, Doc?’ Why Many Cancer Patients Don’t Have Answers
Due to poor doctor-patient communication, most people with advanced cancer don’t know enough about their disease to make vital decisions.
Viewpoints: GOP Health Plan – A ‘Win In Name Only’; Children At Risk In Obamacare Repeal
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Media outlets report on health-related news from Nevada, Florida, Connecticut, California, Texas, Ohio, Oregon, Iowa, Georgia, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Louisiana and Arizona.
A Year Later: Lessons Learned From Pulse Night Club Shooting
The shooting highlighted weaknesses in how a local health care system handled the mass-casualty event. Meanwhile, an advocacy group raises money to support gun control.