Latest KFF Health News Stories
Drugmakers’ Patents And Unique Role In Setting U.S. Prices Contributes To Soaring Costs, Study Finds
Researchers examine thousands of studies to determine why prices for medications have climbed and what might be done about it.
Outlets report on health news from California, Connecticut, Wisconsin, Florida, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Missouri, Tennessee, Ohio and Maryland.
Public Health Roundup: Growing Number Of Young Stroke Victims; Roadblocks In Mental Health Care
News outlets also report on parents’ attitude toward the HPV vaccine, how job satisfaction impacts health later in life, the connection between online devices and sleep quality as well as the latest on two transplant procedures.
In other news on the substance abuse epidemic, a mother’s raw and emotional Facebook post breaks taboos on openly discussing drug issues. And news outlets cover developments in Texas and North Carolina.
CDC Declares That Sepsis Should Be Treated As A Medical Emergency
Doctors and nurses miss opportunities to catch the fast-moving disease, the agency warns. Meanwhile, at Massachusetts hospitals, preventable medical errors jumped 60 percent last year.
Limit Children’s Sugar Intake To Six Teaspoons A Day, American Heart Association Advises
Daily diets for those aged 2 to 18 should not exceed six teaspoons of added sugar — the equivalent to about 100 calories or 25 grams. In related news, the soda tax in Berkeley, California appears to be achieving its goal of cutting sugar consumption.
No Uptick In Hysterectomy Complications Since Power Morcellator Use Declined
In pharmaceutical industry news, Pfizer acquires AstraZeneca’s antibiotics business and the pay package of Valeant’s new CFO is revealed.
Companies Keep Paying Doctors As Experts, Even If They Have Been Disciplined For Misconduct
ProPublica analyzed the disciplinary records for doctors in five states — California, Texas, New York, Florida and New Jersey — and then checked those records against data released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on companies’ promotional and advisory payments to doctors.
Alabama Lottery Bill To Fund Medicaid Misses Deadline For November Ballot
If the legislature, which is meeting in a special session, eventually goes forward with the proposal favored by the governor, the vote will have to take place in a special election. Also in Medicaid news, Arkansas officials report that more than 300,000 people are signed up for the state’s expanded Medicaid program.
Where Women Live Factors Into Puzzle Over Stagnant Life Expectancy, Researchers Find
In another report related to mortality rates, cancer surpasses heart disease as the leading cause of death in 22 states.
Texas Analysis: When It Comes To Pregnancy-Related Deaths, Black Women Face Greatest Risk
Meanwhile, in other women’s health news, an anti-abortion group leads an effort to compile more demographic data about women who have abortions.
Tax Credits For Seniors’ Home Modifications Could Save States Medicaid Funding
Virginia and some other jurisdictions are offering residents tax advantages to help pay to retrofit a home, for example widening doorways to accommodate wheelchairs or adding ramps. Also, a look at how for-profit companies are moving into a Medicare program designed to keep people in their homes.
Wrenching Images Of Zika Babies Hint That Virus May Cause More Damage Than We Think
Fetal brain scans and ultrasounds show the damage caused by Zika to 45 babies in Brazil.
Florida Reports New Zika Cases, Including One In Pinellas County Near St. Petersburg
The patient in Pinellas County had not traveled internationally so officials are trying to determine if the illness was caused by a mosquito transmission.
Politicians Continue To Play Blame Game As Localities Scrape Together Funds For Zika Fight
Discussions over how to pay for efforts to battle the mosquito-borne virus remain contentious.
EpiPen’s Price Hikes Draw Intense Scrutiny, Raise Ire Among Lawmakers
News outlets report on how the maker of the emergency allergy medicine came to raise the treatment’s price tag by so much, how this move fits into the broader story of U.S. drug pricing policy and how the ensuing controversy will now play out both in the marketplace and on Capitol Hill.
Five States Sue To Halt Obama Administration Rules On Transgender Health
The Department of Health and Human Services’ rules seek to keep insurers from blanket bans on coverage of gender reassignment services and ban health care providers from refusing to care for transgender patients. The states say the regulations could force doctors to perform gender transition procedures on children.
Approving Stiff Rate Hikes, Tenn. Insurance Chief Says Obamacare Exchange ‘Very Near Collapse’
Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak said the increases in rates were necessary to ensure health care options throughout the state. News outlets also report on marketplace developments in Alabama, Georgia and Texas.
Insurance Startup Oscar Pulling Out Of Health Law Marketplaces In N.J. and Texas
The company says it has suffered significant losses on the Obamacare markets and is rethinking its approach.
First Edition: August 24, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.