Latest KFF Health News Stories
What Happens When A Living Kidney Donor Needs A Transplant?
A new study examines how well efforts are working that prioritize the needs of these patients if they end up needing a kidney transplant of their own.
Viewpoints: Congress Failing In Zika Fight; Lack Of Buzz About Clinton’s Mental Health Plan
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: The Epi-Pen; Black Health Matters
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Opinions Continue To Swirl Around EpiPen Controversy
Editorial pages across the country continue to offer perspectives on aspects of the EpiPen pricing news.
Perspectives On Obamacare Premiums, Exchanges And Consumer Choices
Opinion writers offer their thoughts on issues related to the federal health law’s marketplaces.
Outlets report on health news from Florida, New Jersey, California, Illinois, Texas, New York and Ohio.
Recovery High Schools Offer Students With Addiction Safe Space For Second Chance
Right now there are 27 public or charter recovery high schools in 11 states, with more slated to open. Meanwhile, in Louisville, Kentucky, doctors see an overdose outbreak as a clear sign of a public health emergency, New Hampshire gets $1 million to expand access to medication-assisted treatment and Denver cracks down on drug use in parks.
Adults’ Attitudes Shifting Toward Marijuana, Analysis Shows
More people are using the drug, while fewer are reporting that they think it is harmful.
Drinking In Moderation Doesn’t Affect Women’s Ability To Conceive, Study Finds
In other news, a medical patch — or “electronic tattoo” — could help monitor pregnant women’s health.
Emails, Reports Show How Detroit Hospital Struggled With Dirty Or Missing Instruments
A series of articles in the Detroit News used internal reports and emails to explore problems over 11 years at the Detroit Medical Center to keep surgical instruments cleaned. “We are putting patients at risk frequently,” the chief surgeon at Children’s Hospital, Joseph Lelli, wrote in an email in 2015.
When It Comes To Health Care, Voters Trust Clinton More, Poll Finds
But, still, most said neither candidate would improve access to affordable care.
Congress Needs To Fund Zika Battle, Most Americans Say
A new survey finds that three-quarters of Americans rank the allocation of money for Zika as an important or top priority for Congress when it is back in session.
Surgical Cap, Which Doctors See As ‘Symbolic Of Profession,’ Comes Under Fire
There are concerns the traditional cap worn by surgeons is creating situations that promote infection.
Health Care System’s Problems Intensified For Those With Greatest Medical Need
A new analysis finds that the sickest Americans pay about four times the amount on health care than does the average patient.
AstraZeneca To Pay $5.5M In Bribery Probe
The SEC says AstraZenca employees “designed and authorized several schemes” to convey gifts, conference expenses, travel and cash, among other things, in order to encourage doctors in China and Russia to purchase the company’s drugs.
Marketplace Insurers, Already Under Fire For Limited Networks, Double Down To Cut Costs
A McKinsey & Co. analysis of regulatory filings for 18 states and the District of Columbia found that only about 25 percent of the plans offered on those exchanges would be preferred-provider organizations or similar options that generally give consumers the ability to choose from larger selections of doctors and hospitals and include out-of-network coverage, The Wall Street Journal reports. Other health law news includes a look at a statement about insurance costs by the White House press secretary and previews of Minnesota health plan rates.
Georgia Business Group Lays Out Proposals For Medicaid Expansion
A task force set up by the state’s Chamber of Commerce offers Georgia lawmakers three conservative options to cover the state’s uninsured. About 16 percent of Georgia’s residents are uninsured, one of the highest rates in the nation.
‘Women Have Had To Be Strong For So Long. Opioids Are A Good Way Out. Benzos Are A Good Way Out’
The Washington Post offers a series on why death rates have risen for whites in midlife, particularly women.
Mylan Filed Citizens’ Petition In Attempt To Derail Teva’s Generic EpiPen
The drugmaker urged the FDA not to approve the version unless it was exactly the same as the EpiPen, arguing that in an emergency situation it could prove fatal if it were not. Meanwhile, some patients are turning to Canada for their EpiPens, but Consumer Reports says that’s not a good idea.
Experimental Alzheimer’s Drug Potential ‘Game Changer’ In Fight Against Disease
Scientists say they are cautiously optimistic with results from a trial of the new drug, which targets the dangerous plaques that build up in the brain — a hallmark of Alzheimer’s.