Latest KFF Health News Stories
Many Doctors Treating Alcohol Problems Overlook Successful Drugs
Two prescription medications have been found to be successful in helping many patients with alcohol cravings. Yet they are rarely used and many patients don’t know they exist.
Young Boy’s Struggle To Survive Sparked Push For Drugs For Terminally Ill
Ten-year-old Josh Hardy died last month. His struggle to survive helped to spur laws to get unapproved drugs to the terminally ill.
Video Chat? In Rural Areas Combating Drug Addiction, A New Way To Connect With Help
The federal government is supporting efforts to test whether telemedicine strategies can be used to treat Appalachia’s painkiller addiction crisis.
Twenty dying people, at peace with their mortality, shared their views on life, love and death with a Los Angeles artist for an exhibit at the Museum of Tolerance.
Women And The Zika Virus: Smart Questions And A Few Solid Answers
Here’s a breakdown of what women should know, and what is still unclear, regarding how Zika is transmitted, who is at risk and how to take precautions against it.
Viewpoints: ‘Public Option’ Doesn’t Work; Developing A Zika Vaccine; Pockets Of Innovation
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: Screening Colonoscopies For Seniors; Safety-Net Hospital Readmissions
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Outlets report on health news from Connecticut, Ohio, Arkansas, California, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Florida, Texas, Maryland and Georgia.
Some States Complain Medicaid Rule To Assess Enrollees’ Access To Care Is Too Burdensome
States with at least 90 percent of beneficiaries in managed care, like Florida, say there’s no point in spending the time to conduct the assessment of its Medicaid population. “We have a tiny fee-for-service population,” said Justin Senior, deputy secretary of the Division of Medicaid in Florida at the 2016 Medicaid Health Plans of America last week, according to Modern Healthcare. “We’re having to do as much work under the access rule as we are to comply with the managed Medicaid rule. It doesn’t make any sense.” News outlets also report on Medicaid developments in Nevada and Utah.
Calif. Tries To Rein In Overuse Of Psychiatric Drug For Foster Kids By Monitoring Doctors
The bill, signed by Gov. Jerry Brown, increases oversight of doctors who have high prescription numbers, and allows the medical board to take action.
Wrenching Choices Face Families Over An Aging Parent’s Living Situation
The Philadelphia Inquirer has two stories on the challenges that adult children face caring for elders. And Bloomberg and NPR report on developments on Alzheimer’s.
Fatal Police Shooting Of Mentally Ill Man Highlights Issue Plaguing The Country
People with severe mental illness are 16 times more likely to be killed by police. States across the U.S. are trying to address the problem, but police officials say part of the problem is the decay of the country’s mental health system.
More Options Emerging For Women Diagnosed With Breast Cancer While Pregnant
Before, women were recommended to end the pregnancy, but with the right team, doctors are finding ways to deliver a health baby while still treating the mother. Meanwhile, experts say the best defense against breast cancer is being able to recognize any changes that could signal a problem.
Aggressive, Illegal Marketing For Powerful Painkiller Cited As Cause Of Woman’s Death
Sarah Fuller was given a prescription version of fentanyl, a drug 100 times more potent than morphine, for her back and neck pain. A year later she was found dead in her bathroom.
Wall Street Stumbles On News Of Drug Companies’ Cost Woes
Meanwhile, the controversy around the high cost of EpiPens continues to make headlines.
CDC Issues New Zika Travel Advisory For Pregnant Women
The warning focuses on travel to countries in Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, turnaround times for Zika testing in Florida is starting to improve, officials say.
Federal Officials Worry Changes In Flu Vaccine Policy May Leave Some People Unprotected
The recommendation earlier this year to switch children from the nasal spray vaccine to shots may result in fewer children getting immunized, the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. In addition, officials are concerned about a recent drop in vaccination rates among Americans over the age of 50.
Lawmakers Say Biomedical Research, ‘Cures’ Bills Will Make Lame-Duck Agenda
In other news from Capitol Hill, Sen. Harry Reid deals a setback to “right-to-try” legislation. And election-year politics keep Democrats from working with vulnerable Republican senators.
Harken Health To Leave Obamacare Exchanges In Illinois, Georgia
In related news, Arise Health Plan will exit the Affordable Care Act marketplaces in Wisconsin. Meanwhile, the health plan choices are finalized in Kansas, and Utah regulators announce the average premium rate increases for 2017.
Watchdog: HHS Improperly Favoring Insurers Over Treasury In Distributing Health Law Funds
The Government Accountability Office says money that was paid to insurers should have gone to the Treasury. The administration defended its interpretation of the law, while Republican seized on it as vindication that the Affordable Care Act is hurting taxpayers.