Latest KFF Health News Stories
Editorial writers and columnists offer their thoughts on this mosquito-borne illness as well as cholera, yellow fever and Lyme disease.
Outlets report on health news from Wyoming, Arizona, Missouri, Minnesota, Maryland, Florida, Colorado, California, Massachusetts and Hawaii.
Doctor Who Helped Eradicate Smallpox Dies
D.A. Henderson headed up the World Health Organization’s successful battle against the virus.
Counterfeit Fentanyl-Filled Drugs Reportedly Found At Prince’s Estate
Pills marked as hydrocodone that actually contained fentanyl were found at the singer’s home, according to news reports. The Drug Enforcement Administration has warned that such a counterfeit pill scheme is sweeping the nation.
Treat Teens With Opioid Addictions With Medication, Pediatric Group Urges
Many pediatricians are reluctant to prescribe drugs like buprenorphine to fight painkiller or heroin addiction. The American Academy of Pediatrics says its members should, or refer teenaged patients to a doctor who will.
News outlets also cover public health stories on interpreters’ role in palliative care, elder care challenges, health trackers helping researchers, sports injuries, clinical trials and health care ethics in a mass emergency.
Pregnancy-Related Deaths In Texas Spike To Level Well Above Any Other State
Elsewhere, a federal judge issues a permanent injunction against a Florida law that would have increased access to abortion-clinic records and block public funding.
Pfizer To Buy Medivation To Add Cancer Drugs To Portfolio
In other marketplace news, Valeant hires a new CFO.
Cost Of Life-Saving EpiPen Injectors Soars To $700 A Set
As awareness of the issue grows, the drug’s manufacturer, Mylan, faces pressure to justify the price increase.
Business Ties Can Conflict With Work Of Board Members, Administrators At Nonprofit Hospitals
The Wall Street Journal analyzes Internal Revenue Service data to look at the issue. It finds that hospitals are often large employers with complex business arrangements, so they can face more conflicts of interest than other nonprofits. Meanwhile, in other hospital news, The Associated Press examines the growth of freestanding ERs, and KHN looks at the difficulty of talking about medical mistakes.
Ohio Managed Care Plans Get Good Grades From State Medicaid Officials
In other states, Iowa waives possible sanctions against insurers as its transition continues to privatized Medicaid transition. Also, the Alabama Senate approves a proposal for a state lottery that will help fund the state-federal health insurance program for low-income people.
Obama Tops List Of Health Care’s Most Influential People For Third Time
Modern Healthcare’s annual rankings place President Barack Obama at No. 1. Industry executives, regulators and lawmakers make up the rest of the 2016 list.
Insecticides And Long Sleeves: Communities Try To Protect Themselves Against Zika
In Florida, the virus forces pregnant women, sperm and egg banks as well as schools to make hard choices. Elsewhere, the National Institutes of Health warns that the Gulf Coast states are vulnerable to a similar Zika outbreak, while New York and South Carolina also take preemptive steps.
Spread Of Zika Renews Pressure On Lawmakers Over Funding And Abortion
Florida Republicans and Democrats call on House Speaker Paul Ryan to act now on the impasse over funds to fight the virus, while Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell suggests the Obama administration tap other sources of money. Meanwhile, abortion politics are also being inflamed by Zika.
Americans Covered By Obamacare Watch Campaign 2016 With Vested Interests
The Associated Press spotlights the potential impact of this year’s elections on the health law and the people that it covers.
Federal Officials Warn Medicaid Enrollees To Drop Subsidized Marketplace Coverage
The government is sending out letters to tens of thousands of people who may have duplicate coverage. Also, a look at how small business owners are feeling pressure to offer insurance, how many marketplace plans often are bare bones offerings and problems in the tanning industry are blamed on the health law.
With Aetna Pullback, Many Marketplaces Will Have Only One Insurer In 2017
The lack of competition, highlighted in two new reports from consultants Avalere and McKinsey, will be most acute in Southern and rural areas. Also, a look at how the decision by Aetna is affecting the exchanges in Minnesota and Georgia.
First Edition: August 22, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Doctors, Hospitals Prepare For Difficult Talks Surrounding Medical Mistakes
MedStar Health is among the hospital systems nationwide that are setting up support systems to help doctors talk openly to patients and their families when treatments go awry.
‘More At Peace’: Interpreters Key To Easing Patients’ Final Days
But more training is needed for such translators to do their jobs well, without miscommunications and misunderstandings.