Latest KFF Health News Stories
Outlets report on health news from California, Minnesota, the District of Columbia, Florida, South Carolina, Wisconsin, New York, Massachusetts and Colorado.
Idaho Legislative Panel To Hear Public Comments Today On Medicaid Expansion
The day-long session will explore whether the state should expand Medicaid to cover the estimated 78,000 residents who don’t qualify for Medicaid or for subsidies to help buy insurance on the health marketplace. Also, Alaska officials and Xerox have settled a dispute over the complaints that the company, which set up a payment system for the state, was slow to reimburse doctors and other health providers.
In Election, Trend-Setting States Could Determine National Conversation On Marijuana
Polls have shown the “yes” side leading in most states with a marijuana-related ballot measure.
Appeals Court Sides With FTC To Pause Proposed Penn State-Pinnacle Health Merger
In other state hospital news, Georgia’s rural hospitals are hopeful about tax credit program, a Massachusetts watchdog agency raises a red flag about Boston Children’s planned expansion and a surprise inspection of a Pennsylvania hospital finds shortcomings.
New Diagnostic Tool May Identify Living Patients That Have Disease Caused By Repeated Concussions
In other news related to head injuries, an analysis of regional insurance claims shows that concussion rates among young boys and girls are on the rise in many states.
States Scramble To Act As Youth Suicide Rates Climb
Among the possible causes cited by suicide experts is a decline in the use of psychiatric medicines and the rise of cyberbullying. In other public health news, 92 percent of the world is breathing bad air, the Americas are declared free of endemic measles, C. diff is on the rise and a look at a mysterious lymphatic disease.
Viral Images Of Parents’ Overdoses Show Toll Opioid Epidemic Is Taking On Children
Police departments have started releasing photos and videos of parents who overdose in front of their children. Some say they’re what’s needed to finally get people outraged enough to act on the crisis, but others say it’s demoralizing and only makes it harder for those who want to get help.
The $64,000 Question: Is The Flu Shot Worth All The Bother?
One expert weighs in on that and other questions about flu vaccine science.
First Baby Born Using New Wave Of ‘Three-Parent’ IVF Technique
The controversial procedure replaces the mother’s faulty mitochondria with donor mitochondria to produce a healthy baby while preserving the vast majority of its mother’s DNA.
Google Glass Expands Possibilities For High-Tech Doctor Visits, But Danger Lurks At Edges
Advocates envision a world in which technology allows office visits to be transcribed in real time or compares patient records to determine a diagnosis. But, in a situation where a glitch could have fatal consequences, moving away from human scribes could be a grave mistake.
Aetna Bets On Apple Watches Amid Growing Skepticism Of Wearables’ Health Benefits
Starting next year, Aetna will give an Apple Watch to its employees for free as part of its wellness program and subsidize a “significant portion” of the Apple Watch cost for some large employers and groups.
Breakthrough On Flint Could Pave Way To Spending Deal After Senate Blocks Bill
House leaders came to an agreement late Tuesday night on how to get funds to the water crisis in Flint.
What’s In A Word? FDA Seeks Input On Definition Of ‘Healthy’
The Food and Drug Administration hasn’t updated its recommendations on what is considered healthy since the ’90s when low fat content was the main focus of health professionals and sugar wasn’t even really on the radar. It will still be years before there’s significant movement, but the agency is finally taking steps toward updating it.
Study Raises Concerns Over Revolving Door Between FDA, Pharma Companies It Regulates
More than half of the hematology-oncology assessors who reviewed drugs between 2001 and 2010 went on to work for the biopharmaceutical industry after leaving the agency.
Expert Demoted After Raising Concerns About Efficacy Of CDC’s Zika Test
Robert Lanciotti says the test the agency recommends misses nearly 40 percent of Zika infections. He has since been reinstated after filing a whistleblower retaliation claim.
Administration Unveils Plans For Push To Enroll Young Adults In Health Plans
Social media and other digital strategies are at the center of the effort. Also in the news, the House passes a bill to exempt customers of failed insurance co-ops from the health law’s coverage mandate, some people shopping for plans get help from brokers and more fallout from insurers leaving the marketplaces.
First Edition: September 28, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Deadly Opioid Overwhelms First Responders And Crime Labs in Ohio
Carfentanil, a potent variation on fentanyl, is being blamed for a wave of opioid overdoses. In Cincinnati, the coroner, crime lab and first responders are struggling to keep up.
Election Buzz: Critics Of Legal Pot Say Addiction Becomes ‘A Disease Of The Family’
As more states consider legalizing recreational marijuana, families consider what messages to present to young people about using pot. Should it be avoidance, moderation or acceptance? Differing views from Arizona and Oregon.
When Drug Reviewers Leave The FDA, They Often Work For Pharma
Researchers examine the Food and Drug Administration’s “revolving door” regarding employees who worked on cancer and hematology drugs.