Latest KFF Health News Stories
California is the first state to begin building an up-to-date database to improve the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
Study: Medicare Beneficiaries May Face ‘Treatment Gap’ For Painkiller Abuse, Misuse
The incidence of opioid use disorder is growing rapidly within the Medicare population.
For Surgeons, Talking About Adverse Events Can Be Difficult: Study
Research suggests surgeons might be better off if they learn to quickly and directly explain what went wrong to the patient.
Viewpoints: Obamacare Court Challenges Continue; Examining The GOP Platform
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Perspectives On Drugs Costs: A Misunderstanding About ‘Sunk Costs’; Insurers’ Role In Pricing
Editorial and opinion writers offer their takes on drug-cost issues.
How Much More Do Americans Pay For A Drug Than Others Around Globe? Report Quantifies Gap
News outlets report on the pharmaceutical drug industry.
Outlets report on health news from Alabama, Minnesota, Texas, Massachusetts, Florida, California, Pennsylvania and Ohio.
HIPAA Hasn’t Kept Up With Apps And Wearable Fitness Trackers, Report Finds
The report by federal officials offered no suggestions on what to do to fix the problem, however. In other health technology news, employers in an effort to address the high costs of untreated mental illnesses are turning to apps, “smart thread” is helping to alert doctors when something is wrong with a patient’s wound, and a Tennessee firm wants to unlock troves of health data.
Maryland Changes Preferred Opioid Treatment But Critics Say New Drug Is Less Effective
The state’s Medicaid program used to pay for Suboxone in dissolvable film for people addicted to opioids to help control cravings. But officials say they changed to Zubsolv tablets, because the strips were being smuggled into jails. Elsewhere, a Florida law allows pharmacists to sell Naloxone over the counter.
30 Years Of Emphasizing Low-Fat Diets May Have Backfired, Study Finds
While a Mediterranean diet which includes healthy fats doesn’t affect mortality, it does reduce a person’s risk of heart issues as well as having benefits in connection with breast cancer and type 2 diabetes. In other news, a study finds that reducing kids’ sugar intake has an immediate improvement on their health, federal agriculture subsidies are fueling Americans’ bad eating habits, and a Florida hospital has launched a breast milk initiative to cut down on asthma and eczema cases.
James Watson: Cancer Moonshot Is ‘Same Old People Getting Together … And It’s All Crap’
Watson, who with Francis Crick discovered the structure of DNA, tells Stat he isn’t at war with the cancer research community, but he isn’t impressed with some of the new strategies being explored. Also in the news, a study finds that fertility treatment doesn’t raise a woman’s risk of breast cancer and aggressive prostate cancer cases are increasing.
Florida Officials Investigating First Possible Non-Travel Related Zika Case In U.S.
Most experts believe the spread of the virus in the U.S. will be contained, though.
Development Suspended On Obesity Drug Tied To Two Deaths
The drugmaker, Boston-based Zafgen, also announces that it will lay off a third of its employees. In other pharmaceutical news, biotech company Synthorx says it will enter the biologic drug market with two new synthetic nucleotides to add to DNA library. And two Valeant drugs get FDA scrutiny.
Governor Who Embraced Core Aspect Of ACA Slams Clinton’s Policies As ‘More Of The Same’
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson has continued the Medicaid expansion started by his Democratic predecessor. But, while speaking at the Republican National Convention he took the opportunity to criticize Hillary Clinton for wanting to continue to build out the Affordable Care Act. Meanwhile, PolitiFact checks Donald Trump Jr.’s claims that Clinton is going to destroy Medicare.
Massachusetts Gets Approval To Delay Federal Rule On Small-Business Insurance
The agreement postpones for a year implementation of federal rules that require Massachusetts to switch to a smaller set of factors that can be considered in setting rates. Also, a study examines the health law’s surcharge on smokers, and new details come out about the closing of the Illinois insurance co-op.
Gubernatorial Races In 3 States May Affect Decisions On Medicaid Expansion
Bloomberg surveys the chances of Medicaid expansion in Missouri, North Carolina and Utah. Also, a new study by the Urban Institute looks at the impact Medicaid expansion could have in the 19 hold-out states.
UnitedHealth’s Q2 Profits Beat Estimates But Insurer Reports Obamacare Losses
Meanwhile, pharmaceutical business growth helps Johnson & Johnson to also top expectations. And in other marketplace news, Intuitive Surgical reports strong second-quarter earnings.
Insurer Mega-Mergers To Be Challenged By Justice Department On Antitrust Concerns
Lawsuits are expected to be filed this week to block the proposed Anthem-Cigna and Aetna-Humana acquisitions, according to news reports.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
New Funding Seeks To Help Clinics Swamped By Demand For Dental Care
HHS awarded $156 million to 420 health centers around the country in the first grants ever specifically geared to dental care.