Latest KFF Health News Stories
While Still Risky, Congenital Heart Defects No Longer Always A Deterrent Of Pregnancy
Also in public health news are developments related to infant sleep, the empathetic impact of dogs, 90-somethings working through their bucket lists, “death cap” mushrooms, the impact of social media on teens’ mental health, domestic violence and biking injuries.
Having Cancer Patients Report Negative Side Effects In Real Time Helps Them Live Longer
Nurses who got the alerts from the patients at least once a week were able to adjust medication for nausea, constipation and pain, quicker than for those in the study who reported their symptoms during monthly oncologist meetings. The Washington Post offers a series of articles on cancer.
Vivitrol is a monthly shot that acts like an opioid vaccine, and officials want to use it to break the pattern where those with an addiction are jailed, get clean, get released, then use again and end up back where they started. In other news: drug deaths are on the rise, New York creates a task force to address the crisis, chronic pain patients are at the other side of the national crackdown on opioids and more.
‘Turning Around A Successful Organization Is Not That Easy’: Mayo Revamps For Tough Market
Dr. John Noseworthy, Mayo’s chief executive officer, has pushed the renowned medical institution to rethink how it does business.
Controversy Over Millions Of Dollars Of NIH Research Roils Biomedical Community
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders has banned the use of data collected over 25 years from more than 1,000 volunteers in the lab of neurologist Allen R. Braun, citing “serious and widespread” record-keeping errors, but critics of the decision say the punishment is overly severe and doesn’t serve a purpose.
States Nervously Consider Possible Impact As Washington Debates Medicaid Changes
In places like Iowa and Maryland, Medicaid expansion has significantly reduced the number of uninsured patients and helped hospitals. Republican efforts to revamp the health law and President Donald Trump’s proposed budget could push more Medicaid costs back to states, who say they likely can’t pay for the current programs.
Single-Payer Movement Provides Outlet For Stymied Liberals’ Sweeping Health Care Agendas
Despite being in an era where Republicans want to move health care toward conservative-backed policies, there’s a new energy infusing the single-payer movement in the states.
Trump’s Ambivalence On Insurers’ Payments Hobbles States’ Efforts To Maintain Marketplaces
State officials are working to calm insurers’ fears so that they will stay in the health law’s marketplaces in 2018, but the administration’s refusal to say how it will handle some payments to the companies is hurting the effort.
Insurers Say They’re Staying ‘Above The Fray’ In Health Care Fight So As Not To ‘Add To The Noise’
But some wonder if the reason they’re so quiet is because their influence has been weakened.
From ‘Subsidy Cliffs’ To Empty Marketplaces: How States’ Unique Circumstances Are Shaping The Debate
Media outlets offer looks at how the Affordable Care Act is playing out in Maine and Iowa, and why the senators from those states are fighting the fights they are. Meanwhile, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is taking preemptive steps to protect the legislation from Republicans’ efforts to dismantle it.
Republican Senators Planting Seeds Of Doubt On Repeal And Replace Prospects
The lawmakers are returning from recess and sounding a more pessimistic tone about their health care legislation efforts. Meanwhile, Vice President Mike Pence is pressing them to finish up a plan by the end of the summer.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
They’ve Still Got Bucket Lists — In Their 90s
One flew a plane at 97; the other went to college at 92. But these two friends are proudest of their legacies of kindness.
Many COPD Patients Struggle To Pay For Each Medicinal Breath
One in 9 Medicare enrollees have COPD and many of them can’t afford the inhalers that keep them out of the emergency room.
Perspectives: Taking Stock Of The Health Reform Policy Paths Taken So Far And What Could Happen Next
Opinion writers also offer their thoughts on Medicaid spending, universal care and issues related to how long-term care can be financed.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: Deaths In Teaching Hospitals; Medicaid and Opioids
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Media outlets report on news out of Minnesota, New York, Kansas, Missouri, Florida, Ohio and New Hampshire.
Hospital’s Acquisition Binges Have Left Doctors With Sour Taste In Their Mouths
The physicians say Community Health Systems’ quality has suffered greatly.
For First Time, Majority Of Physicians Don’t Own Their Practice
The changing economics of the health care industry in the country has shifted doctors toward joining larger practices or health systems.