Latest KFF Health News Stories
Americans’ Opinion Of Pharma Industry Dips To All-Time Low, Tracking Poll Finds
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical drug pricing.
Perspectives: When It Comes To Drug Pricing, Insurance System Flies In The Face Of Reason
Recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Baltimore Draws 10-Year Blueprint To Cut Racial Health Disparities
Officials aim to bring elevated rates of lead poisoning, heart disease, obesity, smoking and overdoses among Baltimore’s African-Americans closer to those of whites.
First Edition: August 31, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Cardiac Rehab Improves Health, But Cost And Access Issues Complicate Success
Research shows exercise-based cardiac rehab programs help heart patients heal faster and live longer. But fewer than a third take part. Time and cost are the main barriers, doctors and patients say.
Did It Hurt Or Help? Researchers Analyze Ohio’s 2011 Abortion Law
A new study finds that women may have suffered more complications and needed more follow-up care as a result of the law. The law’s advocates question the findings.
Viewpoints: Examining Obamacare’s Challenges; The EpiPen Controversy Continues
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Outlets report on health news from Wisconsin, Georgia, California, Maryland, Tennessee, Arizona, Ohio, Washington, Michigan, Kansas, Missouri, Texas and Florida.
N.Y. To Ease Restrictive Regulations Surrounding Medical Marijuana Program
The state’s Health Department is issuing several new policies following criticism that the process was too cumbersome.
California Inches Closer To Passing Measure Protecting Patients From Surprise Bills
The battle in California could influence bills pending in states across the country, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Hawaii and Missouri.
Can Virtual Reality Help Pain Or Depression? Some Hospitals Experiment With New Tech
As hardware prices drop, some doctors are trying out the new technology as a treatment option for a variety of conditions. In other health IT news, IBM bets big on health care. And more seniors are using mobile devices for virtual visits with their doctor.
FDA To Consider More Regulations For Stem Cell Clinics
Critics say the clinics — which offer treatments costing thousands of dollars that have often not been tested for their efficacy — are peddling snake oil to desperate Americans. In other public health news, scientists have found another superbug in the U.S., viruses in the gut are proven to be beneficial, a caregiver’s story of her husband’s final months and more.
Lawmakers: Immediate Investigation Into Purdue Pharma’s Opioid Practices Necessary
“There appears to be a pervasive disregard for patient safety and public health by some within the pharmaceutical industry,” Rep. Mark DeSaulnier and Rep. Ted Lieu said in calling for the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee to take action against the drugmaker.
Bitter Feud Over Parkinson’s Trial Offers Rare Glimpse Of Conflicts Roiling Research Community
The fight between key scientists and the prominent Michael J. Fox Foundation highlights the tension erupting as major medical research philanthropies increasingly seek to coordinate or manage studies, or control details of how they are done.
‘Teaching With The Enemy’: Med, Law Students Team Up For Mock Malpractice Cases
The project is an effort to give young doctors a taste of what a real-life courtroom will be like if they’re called to the stand for a malpractice case. In other news, medical schools are starting to place more emphasis on adjusting nutrition rather than prescribing drugs.
Doctors Often In A Special, Protected Class When It Comes To Sexual Abuse
The Atlantic Journal-Constitution looks at the disparity between how doctors and others are punished following reports of sexual abuse.
Walgreens And Prime Therapeutics To Combine Mail-Order Pharmacy, Specialty Drug Business
A partnership with the pharmacy benefits manager will gain the drugstore chain a greater share of the prescription drug market and position Walgreens to better compete with CVS.
Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s proposal focuses on the integration of mental and physical health care systems, training police officers and suicide prevention. But some worry that, the funding necessary to make them successful is unrealistic.
Gov. Christie Says ‘Naysayers’ Have Been ‘Proven Wrong’ About N.J. Medicaid Expansion
The Republican governor, who bucked many in his party to support the health law’s Medicaid expansion, says more than half a million state residents have gained coverage under the plan. In other news, Kentucky’s only Democratic member of Congress criticizes the governor’s plan to change the Medicaid expansion there, Idaho officials remain divided over efforts to expand the program, Oklahoma’s Medicaid director resigns after some turbulent years and Tennessee enrolls more children in its Medicaid dental coverage.
Administration Proposes New Rules For Health Marketplaces To Help Insurers In 2018
The draft regulation would revamp the risk adjustment program for insurance companies and comes as several high-profile insurers have opted to cut back on participation in the exchanges. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell tells a business group that the law likely will be revamped next year, and some other Republican lawmakers are concerned that the administration tried to pressure Aetna.