Latest KFF Health News Stories
As Traditional Genome Sequencing Becomes Obsolete, Scientists Find New Ways To Tell ‘Human Story’
It’s becoming clear that the original method is prone to mistakes, so researchers are thinking of different ways to map the human genome.
Women Are Dying From Pregnancy, Childbirth At Alarming Rates — And It’s Only Getting Worse
Fatality rates are on par with Iran, and the prognosis that the trend will improve is not positive. In other women’s health news, long turnaround times for Zika tests add to pregnant women’s anxiety, an appeals court weighs in on a case involving invasive ultrasounds and an anti-abortion campaign makes a stop at an Ohio Planned Parenthood.
White House Mulls Limits For Well-Known Carcinogen In Chewing Tobacco
The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids says the chemical is one of the most troublesome cancer-causing agents in smokeless tobacco as well as in cigarette smoke. Meanwhile, California is tightening rules on a common pesticide because of its health risks, an extra screening for women with dense breast tissue may be needed and the National Institutes of Health faces congressional scrutiny over its funding of a World Health Organization cancer agency.
Hospitals Stock Up, Close Doors As Hurricane Matthew Barrels Toward U.S.
Eight hospitals in Florida evacuated this week because of their coastal locations, while inland hospitals prepared to face the storm.
Startup Sees Business Opportunity In Helping Consumers Make Sense Of Medical Bills
In other health technology news, Massachusetts teachers launch a new suicide prevention website, and an Ohio medical practice suffers a data breach.
WellCare Health To Acquire Arizona Medicaid Managed Care Plan For $158 Million
WellCare, which has Medicaid operations in Florida and Georgia, is purchasing Care1st Health Plan of Arizona.
Medicare Releases New Detailed Analysis Of Spending On Hospice Care
According to the figures for 2014, Medicare spends $11,393 on average for each beneficiary for 70 days of care, Modern Healthcare reports. The numbers, however, vary by state. Also, The Hill reports on concerns about Medicare’s move to bundled payments.
IVF, Adoption Costs To Be Covered For Wounded Veterans
For more than 24 years, the Department of Veterans Affairs was banned from covering the costs of IVF because of conservative opposition to assisted reproduction. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), the author of the new legislation, said the law was outdated.
Iowa Survey Finds Employers Not Dropping Workers’ Health Coverage, Despite Rising Costs
The survey of businesses finds that nearly all employers with more than 51 workers are offering coverage and the percentage of smaller employers offering coverage is rising. In California, a new tool aims to help consumers find out more information about their plans.
GOP Lawmakers Enthusiastic About Passing 21st Century Cures Bill In Lame Duck Session
Congressional leaders say the bill, aimed at promoting medical research and developing innovative medical solutions, will be one of their top priorities during the four-week session after the election. In other news from Capitol Hill, Congress is urged to lift a ban on developing a national patient identifier, experts warn not to expect significant legislation on drug prices and Democrats want the National Hockey League to take steps to reduce head injuries.
With Updated Health Plan, Trump Touts HSAs But Offers Little Detail
Donald Trump’s recently updated plan mirrors many traditional conservative ideas for health reform. Other news outlets report on changes a President Trump might make to Medicaid and the health law.
California ‘Followed The Blueprint’ Of The Health Law And Is Scoring Key Successes
California health officials took deliberate steps — such as expanding Medicaid — to ensure the Affordable Care Act changes were successful in their state. “What has been lost in all the rhetoric and the politics is that the system can work,” says Dr. J. Mario Molina, chief executive of Molina Healthcare Inc, an insurer that has done well under the law.
President Trump Wouldn’t Have To Wait For Congress To Undo Much Of The Health Law
Since President Barack Obama has used executive authority many times to help stabilize the law, Donald Trump could likely reverse those decisions and undermine the law.
First Edition: October 7, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations
Rehab For Addiction Usually Lasts 28 Days. But Why?
A month’s stay in a rehab facility became the standard of care for alcoholism. But there’s little research to support that length of stay for people addicted to opioids.
Got Zika? For Pregnant Women, Lab Constraints Mean It’s Often Hard To Know
Testing people — especially pregnant women — who may have been exposed to the virus is an integral part of the response strategy, but it’s putting a strain on this part of the nation’s public health infrastructure. New congressional funding could change that.
Viewpoints: Obamacare Meltdowns And Fixes; And What’s Your Personal Health-Risk Score
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: The American Diet; Naloxone For The Masses; Right-To-Die Laws
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
State Highlights: Texas Is Most Dangerous State To Be Pregnant; Aid-In-Dying Bill Advances In D.C.
Outlets report on health news from Texas, D.C., Connecticut, Florida, Tennessee, Maryland, Colorado, Pennsylvania, California, Arizona, Ohio, Wisconsin and Georgia.
VA Official Pushes Back Against Watchdog Report Blasting Phoenix Hospital
The report claimed that there are ongoing scheduling problems at the hospital, but VA Undersecretary for Health David Shulkin says the situation has improved with additional training for the staff.