Latest KFF Health News Stories
Perspectives: Before Crowning CEO As Champion Of Consumers, Let’s Check Allergan’s Record
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
High Hep C Prices Force States To Choose Between Treating Inmates And Salvaging Budgets
Only those who are the sickest are given the treatment, in most places. Meanwhile, Illinois will begin providing the pricey drugs to more Medicaid beneficiaries.
Patients With High Deductible Plans Sometimes Face EpiPen Cost Issues
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical drug pricing.
State Highlights: Health Prices In Mass., Fla.; No Bonuses For Philadelphia-Area ACOs
Outlets report on health news from Massachusetts, Florida, Pennsylvania, Texas, Ohio, Missouri, Tennessee, California, Virginia and Maryland.
Southern California Gas Agrees To $4M Settlement Over Massive Porter Ranch Gas Leak
The company still faces a lawsuit by the California attorney general, which charges alleged violations of the state’s health and safety laws by failing to promptly control the leak and alert authorities.
In other news, disabled tenants of some federally-supported housing filed suit in U.S. District Court in Denver against a prohibition on service animals.
Hospitals and medical centers in New Hampshire, South Dakota, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland, Minnesota, Florida, Missouri, Wisconsin and Washington are in the news.
Lavizzo-Mourey Steps Down As President And CEO Of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
The announcement was made Tuesday. Dr. Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, who has held the position for nearly 14 years, said she will remain in her role until a successor is chosen.
FDA May Begin To Crack Down On Stem-Cell Therapies
Also in public health news, the penicillin shortage endangers people with syphilis. Meanwhile, in tobacco news, black health experts target menthol cigarettes and questions are raised about Newport’s aggressive campaign aimed at younger smokers. And Stat reports on transplant ethics when the donor overdosed.
Mylan Ranks No. 2 In Executive Pay Among Drug Companies, Far Outpacing Others Its Size
The top five managers took home almost $300 million over the past five years, The Wall Street Journal reports amid continuing questions about the manufacter’s EpiPen pricing. News outlets also report on an FDA warning to doctors about drug risks, the pros and cons of pharmaceutical ads and a drop in the cost of generics.
Hillary Clinton Returns To The Campaign Amidst Continued Speculation About Her Health
And, because the public appears to have great interest in news about presidential candidates’ well-being, Donald Trump joins Dr. Oz on television. Meanwhile, Trump also appears to signal new support for vaccines.
Congressional Talks Over Zika Funding Stall Again
The Hill reports that progress has snagged on a stopgap funding measure that includes a rider to provide emergency Zika funding among other things. Meanwhile, Florida Gov. Rick Scott blasted congressional Democrats and the Obama administration as he made his case to Republicans to approve the federal resources to combat the virus.
GOP Report Casts Shade On State-Run Obamacare Exchanges
In related news, ConnectCare, the largest insurer on the Connecticut state exchange, announced Tuesday it will continue to participate in the marketplace in 2017.
By The Numbers: The Role Of Medicaid Expansion In Reducing The Nation’s Uninsured Rate
The Washington Post analyzed Tuesday’s Census data to find that an “obvious way” to further cut the nation’s rate of uninsurance would be to expand the state-federal health insurance program for low-income people in the 19 states that opted not to take advantage of this part of the federal health law.
Decline In States’ Uninsured Rates Vary Widely
California, Kentucky, Illinois — all states that expanded their Medicaid programs under the health law — have seen significant cuts in their uninsurance rates, but in other states, such as Texas and Georgia, the declines in uninsured has been more modest.
Census Report Finds Number Of Uninsured Drops To 29 Million Americans
The uninsured rate plummets to 9.1 percent, and nearly 13 million more people are insured than when the health law began implementation in 2013, the Census Bureau reports.
First Edition: September 14, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
CDC Deploys New Rapid Response Teams To Fight Zika
Based on lessons learned in the 2014 Ebola outbreak, the federal agency has designated teams to help identify patients and health care workers who have been exposed to the virus.
How Can Parents, Pediatricians Discuss Guns In The House?
Research suggests pediatricians shy away from the topic, but parents generally are open to discussing firearms in the context of safe storage.
Study: Elderly’s Family Caregivers Need Help, Too
A study by the National Academies finds more support is needed for nearly 18 million people giving care to family members 65 and older.