Latest KFF Health News Stories
Study Pinpoints 15 Regions In DNA Associated With Depression
It’s unlikely the research, done by consumer genetic-testing company 23andMe, will be able to be turned into a diagnostic tool, but it will help scientists study the way depression works.
CDC: Contact Wearers Must Stay Vigilant About Cleaning, Safety To Avoid Infections
The agency reported that nearly one in five of those who wear contacts get an infection that results in vision damage. Some no-nos to watch out for: sleeping or swimming in them and improper cleaning methods.
Death Certificates’ Lack Of Specificity Hampers Efforts To Curb Opioid Crisis
When a patient overdoses with multiple drugs in his or her system, it’s often lumped together on the death certificate as “multiple drug toxicity.” But knowing drug types could help public health officials figure out which is causing the most deaths.
Cluster Of Miami Beach Zika Cases Suggests Outbreak Is Spreading Beyond Contained Area
Officials consider extending the travel advisory for pregnant women to include all of Miami-Dade County. Meanwhile, Florida lawmakers continue to push for Congress to pass a funding bill to battle the virus.
Valeant Accused Of Engaging In ‘Fraudulent Scheme’ Involving Deceptive Pricing
Mutual-fund giant T. Rowe Price Group is suing the pharmaceutical company saying its practices cost T. Rowe and other shareholders billions.
Medicare Prescription Drug Spending Jumps 17 Percent In 2014
The data, looking at prescriptions purchased under the Medicare Part D program, shows that medications for heart problems were among the most prescribed. Sovaldi, a drug to treat hepatitis C, was the highest cost drug at more than $3.1 billion spent by the program. Following that were Nexium, for reflux disease, and Crestor, to treat high cholesterol.
Medicare Probes Whether Health Care Providers Steered Patients To Private Plans
The investigation will look at whether the providers, such as dialysis centers, encouraged people eligible for Medicare and Medicaid to buy private plans instead so that the providers could get higher reimbursements.
Clinton Campaign Fires Back Over Trump’s ‘Bogus’ Health Allegations
Donald Trump and other Republicans have been calling into question the state of Hillary Clinton’s health, but her campaign says the allegations are ludicrous.
Aetna’s departure from the health law marketplace in Arizona threatens to leave one county without any options for next year. Meanwhile, America’s Health Insurance Plans has issued a brief with ideas on how to help struggling insurers, and an analysis looks at the groups with the highest uninsured rates.
First Edition: August 19, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Puberty Blockers May Improve The Mental Health Of Transgender Adolescents
Putting sexual development on hold gives children a breather as they consider transitioning to the opposite gender. But when to begin?
Insurance Doesn’t Ensure Children Get Needed Visual Exams, Study Says
Researchers estimate thousands of children suffer two debilitating eye conditions because they don’t get proper exams while young.
Viewpoints: Analyzing The Aetna-ACA Flap; Examining Accountable Care Organizations
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: A Zika Vaccine; Aetna’s Marketplace Withdrawal; And Flint’s Water Crisis
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Outlets report on health news from Colorado, Arizona, Texas, California, Florida, Minnesota, Maryland and Washington.
Brownback To Seek New Hospital Taxes To Fund Higher Medicaid Payments In Kansas
The state cut payments to doctors and hospitals in May as part of a budget fight, but Gov. Sam Brownback now says he will work to raise reimbursements again. Outlets also report on other Medicaid developments in Kansas.
Study: Lack Of Diversity In Genetic Research May Lead To Minorities Being Misdiagnosed
The study focused on a heart disorder that was originally thought to be more common in African-Americans. But earlier research linking genetic traits to illness did not include enough minorities to draw the proper conclusions about how the genetic mutations are linked to the disease in that population.
Childhood Abuse Linked To Early Death — But Only In Women
The connection is not definitive, but it could suggest women who have been abused may use drugs or engage in other unhealthy behaviors as coping methods. In other public health news, IBM targets E. coli outbreaks, a party drug may be effective in treating depression, a brain-eating amoeba strikes again in Florida, and more.
Doctors, Scientists Rush To Adapt Diagnostic Tools And Treatment Plans For Zika Cases
In other news about the virus outbreak, Florida delays tests of genetically modified mosquitoes while Texas state health officials try to make up ground in preparations for Zika spreading to the state.
‘Medical Tourism’ On The Rise: 1.4M Expected To Travel Outside U.S. For Health Care
Despite the risks, more Americans are expected to go abroad this year for medical procedures to save money while visiting another country. And a few employers and insurers encourage the practice.