Latest KFF Health News Stories
Most Effective Opioid Addiction Treatment Banned From Majority Of Jails
Much of the criminal justice system still takes a punitive approach to addiction. Many who work in corrections believe, incorrectly, that treatments like methadone, itself an opioid, allow inmates to get high and simply replace one addiction with another. In other news on the crisis: driving under the influence; answers about the epidemic; how health law repeal would hurt those fighting addiction; and more.
Trump Blaming Mexico For N.H.’s Opioid Crisis Exposes Lack Of Understanding Of The Epidemic
In a phone call with Mexico’s leader, President Donald Trump called New Hampshire a “drug-infested den,” and placed the blame on Mexican cartels. However, the crisis has its roots in prescription drug abuse, which can come from a local doctor.
Lack Of Access To Care In Rural Areas Particularly Hard For Veterans
There are veterans who are making hours-long car trips just to get chemotherapy treatment. Pilot programs, such as offering van rides to those who don’t have transportation, are being instituted across the country, but funding for them can be tight to nonexistent. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump praises a new telehealth program to try to address that problem.
Feds Back Down Over Rule Requiring Accreditors To Release Reports On Hospital Errors, Mix-Ups
The decision did not go over well with supporters of the rule. ““The public deserves full transparency on how the health care industry performs. Instead, transparency has been sacrificed to accommodate special interests that lobby to avoid disclosing embarrassing information about health care quality,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group.
Despite Turmoil Over ACA, Employer-Provided Health Care Not Budging Any Time Soon
“I think a company — any size company — would be incredibly afraid to just cancel its insurance policy and say the hell with it,” says business owner Walt Rowen.
Massachusetts Officials Take Control Of Health Insurance Co-Op Formed By ACA
Minuteman Health Inc., which served customers in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, was one of the small customer-owned insurance companies established by the federal health law. News outlets also look at other Obamacare insurance issues elsewhere.
Aetna Smashes Second-Quarter Expectations With 52 Percent Profit Jump
Aetna added Medicare customers and grew the health plans it provides for large employers. A pullback from the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance exchanges also helped its business improve compared to last year’s quarter.
Emails Reveal Behind-The-Scenes Drama Of FDA’s Drug Approval Process
Last year, a fierce battle emerged over Sarepta’s new muscular dystrophy drug, in which FDA official Janet Woodcock approved the treatment — overruling the recommendations of a review team and an advisory committee. Newly released emails show what happened next.
Senate Passes ‘Right-To-Try’ Legislation, But Critics Say Bill Is ‘Inherently Deceptive’
The legislation says terminally ill patients can ask drug companies for experimental treatments, but companies often are reluctant to provide unapproved products for a variety of reasons. And the FDA has a system to handle requests for such drugs.
Bill Renewing FDA’s Authorization To Charge Drug And Device Makers User Fees Passes Senate
The fees account for about $1.4 billion of the FDA’s approximately $5 billion annual budget and help pay for agency reviews that get the products to the marketplace.
GOP Senators Going Home A Fractious Party With No Path Forward On Health Care
Many had hoped they would be leaving for recess with repeal under their belts. Meanwhile, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch announces that his committee will start holding health care hearings when lawmakers return in September.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
To Grow Market Share, A Drugmaker Pitches Its Product To Judges
Some drug courts offer participants a full range of evidence-based treatment, including medication-assisted treatment. Others don’t allow addiction medications at all. And some permit just one: Vivitrol.
Florida Law Will Let Patients Get All Their Drug Renewals At The Same Time
The new law will help people with chronic conditions that require multiple prescriptions cut down on their shuttles to the drug store and could improve adherence to their drugs.
Under Trump, Hospitals Face Same Penalties Embraced By Obama
Federal records show that 2,573 hospitals around the country will have their Medicare payments reduced because they have too many patients readmitted.
Cuando las heridas no sanan, las terapias pueden costar hasta $5 mil millones
Cerca de 6,5 millones de personas en el país tienen heridas que tardan meses, y hasta años en sanar… si llegan a curarse. El costo, económico y psicológico, de estos padecimientos es astronómico.
EMS Delays In Rural Areas Leave First-Aid Gap For Bystanders To Fill
Response times for emergency medical service units are about twice as long in rural areas as in urban areas, researchers say, underscoring the need for trained lay people to provide first aid until professional help arrives.
Viewpoints: Genetic Editing Needs Careful Review; Falling Sperm Counts; Mental Health Costs
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
The Talk About Abortion: Should It Be A Defining Issue For Democrats?
The announcement this week that Democrats will help fund House candidates who are opposed to abortion has prompted some debate among op-ed writers.
Perspectives On Health Debate: Is Stabilizing The Market A Bailout?; Compromise And Sabotage
Opinion writers offer divergent views of the current moves on the health law.