Latest KFF Health News Stories
Calif. Tries To Rein In Overuse Of Psychiatric Drug For Foster Kids By Monitoring Doctors
The bill, signed by Gov. Jerry Brown, increases oversight of doctors who have high prescription numbers, and allows the medical board to take action.
Wrenching Choices Face Families Over An Aging Parent’s Living Situation
The Philadelphia Inquirer has two stories on the challenges that adult children face caring for elders. And Bloomberg and NPR report on developments on Alzheimer’s.
Fatal Police Shooting Of Mentally Ill Man Highlights Issue Plaguing The Country
People with severe mental illness are 16 times more likely to be killed by police. States across the U.S. are trying to address the problem, but police officials say part of the problem is the decay of the country’s mental health system.
More Options Emerging For Women Diagnosed With Breast Cancer While Pregnant
Before, women were recommended to end the pregnancy, but with the right team, doctors are finding ways to deliver a health baby while still treating the mother. Meanwhile, experts say the best defense against breast cancer is being able to recognize any changes that could signal a problem.
Aggressive, Illegal Marketing For Powerful Painkiller Cited As Cause Of Woman’s Death
Sarah Fuller was given a prescription version of fentanyl, a drug 100 times more potent than morphine, for her back and neck pain. A year later she was found dead in her bathroom.
Wall Street Stumbles On News Of Drug Companies’ Cost Woes
Meanwhile, the controversy around the high cost of EpiPens continues to make headlines.
CDC Issues New Zika Travel Advisory For Pregnant Women
The warning focuses on travel to countries in Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, turnaround times for Zika testing in Florida is starting to improve, officials say.
Federal Officials Worry Changes In Flu Vaccine Policy May Leave Some People Unprotected
The recommendation earlier this year to switch children from the nasal spray vaccine to shots may result in fewer children getting immunized, the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. In addition, officials are concerned about a recent drop in vaccination rates among Americans over the age of 50.
Lawmakers Say Biomedical Research, ‘Cures’ Bills Will Make Lame-Duck Agenda
In other news from Capitol Hill, Sen. Harry Reid deals a setback to “right-to-try” legislation. And election-year politics keep Democrats from working with vulnerable Republican senators.
Harken Health To Leave Obamacare Exchanges In Illinois, Georgia
In related news, Arise Health Plan will exit the Affordable Care Act marketplaces in Wisconsin. Meanwhile, the health plan choices are finalized in Kansas, and Utah regulators announce the average premium rate increases for 2017.
Watchdog: HHS Improperly Favoring Insurers Over Treasury In Distributing Health Law Funds
The Government Accountability Office says money that was paid to insurers should have gone to the Treasury. The administration defended its interpretation of the law, while Republican seized on it as vindication that the Affordable Care Act is hurting taxpayers.
First Edition: September 30, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
The Need To Replace EpiPens Regularly Adds To Concerns About Cost
The drug’s manufacturer says it has an expiration date of 12 to 18 months but that includes distribution time, so many customers find they have to buy a new device at least once a year.
Most Hospital Palliative Care Programs Are Understaffed
Guidelines recommend that hospitals have a physician, an advanced practice or registered nurse, a social worker and chaplain on the palliative care team, but only about 25 percent of hospitals meet that standard.
A Golden Ticket That Fast-Tracks A Drug Through The FDA
A voucher awarded to companies that find treatments for rare childhood diseases can be sold to the highest bidder — and then used to speed up approvals for much more common drugs.
UnitedHealth And University Of California To Forge Unique Alliance
The nation’s largest insurer and the state’s university health system intend to offer a health plan option to self-funded employers in California and pursue research drawing upon a huge reservoir of patient data.
Viewpoints: Clinton’s View Of Health; The Return Of The Public Option; Reducing EpiPen Costs
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: A Molecule That Could Heal Aging Brain; A $1 Microscope
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Outlets report on health news from Vermont, Texas, California, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Washington, Wisconsin, Maine and Florida.
Immunotherapy Is The Hottest Trend In Cancer Treatment — So What Exactly Is It?
The Washington Post offers a look at the basics of the treatment that has everyone from patients to investors to pharmaceutical companies paying attention.