Latest KFF Health News Stories
En riesgo programas de salud en “ciudades santuario”
La dura posición del gobierno de Trump sobre inmigración podría estimular recortes en la financiación federal y complicar una amplia variedad de programas de salud en estas ciudades.
La otra crisis de Puerto Rico: el éxodo de médicos jóvenes
Estudiar medicina es una opción popular entre los jóvenes puertorriqueños. Pero muchos graduados están yéndose, eligiendo mejores oportunidades de trabajo, a pesar de las crecientes y urgentes necesidades de salud de Puerto Rico.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Media outlets report on news from Georgia, Oregon, New York, Massachusetts, Iowa, California, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Colorado, Virginia and Pennsylvania.
CDC, Puerto Rico Spar Over Zika Case Reporting
Some say the dispute has obscured the impact of the Zika problem in the territory. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has told state health officials that Zika tracking and education funding may be coming to an end.
More Schools Testing For Lead As Parents Demand Information
As concerns grow about tainted water in older buildings, school officials face pressure to test for lead and to release the results. In New York City, a new round of testing reveals that 83 percent of schools have at least one outlet with a lead level above the safety threshold.
Oncologists Shift Toward Wait-And-See Approach For Condition That Can Lead To Breast Cancer
There’s a fierce debate on not only how to treat ductal carcinoma in situ but also exactly what it is. But some doctors say aggressive action is not needed in all cases and could lead to unnecessary pain and suffering for patients.
This New Stroke Treatment Acts Like A Plumber Snagging A Clog Out Of A Drain
A standard drug for treating strokes only works in a minority of patients, and only if its administered in the first hours after a stroke. This new procedure if administered quickly allows some patients in the midst of a massive stroke to walk out of the hospital on their own without any serious, lasting effects. In other public health news: donating an organ to a stranger, yo-yo dieting, yellow fever, deer antler tea, compulsory flu shots and more.
‘I’m Tired Of Losing My Patients’: Medical Society Approves Safe Injection Site Pilot Program
As the opioid crisis rages on, these supervised injection facilities provide people a place to take the drugs under medical supervision. Media outlets report on the epidemic out of New Jersey, Ohio and Virginia, as well.
Judge’s Decision To Block Anthem’s Bid To Take Over Rival Cigna Upheld By Appeals Court
The ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit likely dooms an acquisition bid that has lasted nearly two years.
HHS Deal With Florida For Hospital Money Undercuts Pressure To Expand Medicaid
The Trump administration has promised to restore money for Florida hospitals that have high uncompensated costs for caring for people that could have been covered by a Medicaid expansion. In Ohio, the Legislature is considering cutting back the Medicaid expansion to gain support for a budget deal and delaying the governor’s plan to move long-term care Medicaid patients to managed care plans.
Prominent Anti-Abortion Leader Appointed To High-Level HHS Position
Charmaine Yoest will serve as assistant secretary of public affairs. President Donald Trump is also expected to name another anti-abortion activist to a post that oversees family planning funding.
Rep. Slaughter Offers Bill To Tighten ‘Ethics Loopholes’ On Congressional Stock Trading
Controversial purchases of stock in an Australian drug company by Reps. Chris Collins (R-N.Y.) and Tom Price (R-Ga.), now the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, prompted the move, Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.) says. Also on Capitol Hill, Democrats press a bill that would ban “conversion therapy” treatments to change a person’s sexual orientation.
Repeal Takes On A Now-Or-Never Urgency As Window To Use Reconciliation Rules Narrows
Once Republicans pass a new spending blueprint, they lose their authority provided by the current budget to approve health care reform using the majority-vote tool called reconciliation. Leadership continues to suggest that they can get it done, but as they’ve learned recently, disrupting people’s status quo on health care is politically fraught.
Trump Promises Protections For Preexisting Conditions That May Not Be Delivered By GOP Bill
The president spoke Sunday about the hot-button topic, saying he “mandated” that coverage for preexisting conditions will be in the Republican health care bill. But while the current version of the proposed legislation says “access” is guaranteed for people with preexisting conditions, it is silent on a key point: whether such access must be affordable.
Lawmakers Agree To Spending Bill That Includes Puerto Rico Medicaid Funds, Bump To NIH Budget
The $1 trillion-plus measure also retains funding for Planned Parenthood.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Exodus By Puerto Rican Medical Students Deepens Island’s Doctor Drain
Interest in medical schools is high in Puerto Rico, but many students look to the U.S. mainland for residencies because of higher pay and the commonwealth’s declining economy. The migration of young talent is both a symptom and an exacerbation of the island’s medical woes.
Trump’s Vow To Squeeze ‘Sanctuary Cities’ Could Play Havoc With Health Programs
Local health officials are bracing for the potential impact of a Trump administration policy that would stop federal funding to jurisdictions that don’t enforce federal immigration laws.
Running Short On Time, Covered California And Insurers Seek Obamacare Answers From GOP
Health insurers must submit initial rates to California’s exchange on Monday, but confusion persists over core elements of the current health law.