Latest KFF Health News Stories
Despite Tremendous Progress, America Still Lags Behind On Teen Birth Rates
For the seventh straight year, U.S. teen birth rates drop. But other industrialized countries are far ahead of America. In other public health news, high blood pressure could affect children’s cognitive skills, biological age trumps actual age when it comes to lifespan and a study finds a link between contraception use and depression in women.
27 Overdoses In 24 Hours: Opioid Crisis Grips An Ohio City
The wave of overdoses overwhelmed first responders in Columbus. Police officers are scrambling to determine the source of the heroin.
New Email Scam Involves Fake Health Law Tax Bill
In other health information technology news, researchers work on flexible bone grafts using a 3D printer.
Federal Employees’ Share Of Health Premiums To Increase 6.2 Percent Next Year
Federal officials attributed the rise largely to increasing prescription drug costs, which make up about a quarter of the total costs in the program, general inflation and the aging of the covered population, The Washington Post reports. Meanwhile, Bloomberg examines how the U.S. health care system compares to other countries.
Medicare Advocates Press Congress To Help Beneficiaries Facing Steep Premium Hike
The Medicare Trustees have estimated that the deductible for Medicare Part B would grow from $166 to $204 next year for all enrollees and the premiums would grow 22 percent next year for about 30 percent of beneficiaries.
Over 600,000 Uninsured Veterans Fall In ‘Medicaid Gap’
These vets who don’t seek or qualify for care by the Department of Veterans Affairs are also not eligible for Medicaid coverage, especially in states that did not expand the program. Meanwhile, news outlets report about the ongoing challenges at the VA.
Obama Administration Cracks Down On Nursing Home Arbitration Clauses
A new rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services would bar nursing homes from turning over claims of elder abuse, sexual harassment or even wrongful death to a private system to settle disputes.
Galas And ‘Grand Benefactors’: Trump’s Relationship With Cancer Institute Draws Scrutiny
Although he hasn’t donated any of his own money to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Donald Trump’s business ties to it are raising some eyebrows. In other election news, Hillary Clinton reiterates her health care plan in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Sen. Grassley Hints At GOP’s Willingness To Work With Democrats On Health Law Changes
The change in tone by the influential Republican may signal changing battle lines on the Affordable Care Act.
Drug Companies Tap Into The ‘Power Of The Patient’
Biotechs see patients and advocacy groups as a resource to raise awareness and champion drugs to the Food and Drug Administration. A recent example is Sarepta’s Duchenne medication which patient organizations helped move through the agency.
Poll: Vast Majority of Americans Want Government Intervention On High Drug Prices
More than eight in 10 Americans favor allowing the federal government to negotiate with drugmakers to get lower prices on medications for people on Medicare, among other regulations. A separate poll finds that the public holds the pharmaceutical industry responsible for rising drug prices, but some critics say Congress should shoulder some blame.
Senators Urge DOJ To Investigate Whether Mylan Acted Illegally By Gaming System
In the letter to the Justice Department, senators say the company “may have knowingly misclassified EpiPens, potentially in violation of the False Claims Act and other statutes.”
Researchers: Zika Can Be Passed Through Sweat, Tears
The son of a man who died of the virus contracted it after sitting by his father’s bedside, touching his skin and wiping his eyes. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention responds to a whistleblower’s claims that it is not using the most effective test for Zika.
Zika Battle Finally Funded As Congress Passes Stopgap Spending Bill
After House leaders reach an agreement over the Flint water crisis funds, Congress averts a government shutdown by passing a bill that includes $1.1 billion for the fight against Zika.
Congress Finally Approves Funding To Fight Zika — But What Does This Mean?
Mosquito season may be ending in parts of the U.S., but public health officials say the additional resources will make a difference because the threat will not be measured in one cycle but in years.
First Edition: September 29, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A Practical To-Do List For Family Caregivers
In order to maximize the important role they play, family caregivers must be proactive in speaking up, planning and documenting their ability to meet their loved one’s health care needs.
Poll Finds Majority Of Americans Want Restraints On Drug Prices
As the spiraling costs attract headlines, many people are looking to the government to rein in prescription drug prices, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation poll.
Large Danish Study Links Contraceptive Use To Risk Of Depression
The research, published in JAMA Psychiatry, finds significant increases in the use of anti-depressants and depression diagnoses for women using hormonal forms of contraceptives, such as the pill.
Specialty Drug Costs Soar 30% For California Pension Fund
Such medications account for more than a quarter of the state agency’s $2.1 billion in pharmacy costs.