Latest KFF Health News Stories
More Essure Lawsuits Expected Following California Court Ruling Against Bayer
The judge’s decision to allow the cases to proceed could also have wider implications for all device makers. In other news related to women’s health, Colorado’s Health Department finds that a Colorado Springs hospital did not properly disinfect vaginal ultrasound probes as well as other equipment.
‘If It’s Not Banned, Athletes Will Use It’: The Legal Doping Loophole
Olympians are using legal prescription drugs to improve performance, such as ones that improve blood flow.
Valeant CEO Paints Picture Of Rosy Future Amid Rumblings Following Disappointing Q2
Joseph C. Papa tried to reassure investors with promises of reorganization and a new strategy, but backing them up will be a tall order for the new CEO.
New Devices Doctors Can Test Out In Offices Responsible For Spike In Medicare Spending
The way Medicare sets payments for new services can make doing the tests lucrative for doctors who invest in the machines.
Baby Girl Is First Known Zika-Related Death In Texas, Second In U.S.
The infant’s mother had traveled to Latin America during her pregnancy and the baby was born with microcephaly.
Clinton Latest To Urge Congress To Pass Zika Funding ‘Immediately’
In response, Republican leaders called out Hillary Clinton’s running mate Sen. Tim Kaine, saying he and other Democratic lawmakers should end their filibuster. In other news, a report reveals the struggle public health officials had trying to understand and contain the first home-grown case of Zika, and Americans still aren’t worried a poll finds even as Florida reports more cases.
Ballot Initiatives Nudge 2016 Health Care Talks Past Scripted Back-And-Forth On ACA
California and Colorado are among the states that have high-profile health care measures on their ballots this November that pivot the discussion toward issues other than Obamacare.
Perspectives On Drug Costs: Continuing Education As A Drug Marketing Machine
Editorials offer their takes on drug-cost issues.
Biotech Bigwigs Are Gaming The System — And It’s All Legal
News outlets report on the pharmaceutical drug industry.
First Edition: August 10, 2016
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Fighting HIV In Miami, One Dirty Needle At A Time
A Miami doctor spent five years working to pass a needle exchange law for Miami-Dade County that he hopes will reduce HIV and other infections. The doctor’s battle inspired a patient who was infected with HIV and Hepatitis C from a shared needle.
Assisted Living Residents With Dementia Prone To Abusing Others, Study Finds
Residents with dementia need to be monitored and increased training is needed for staff who care for them, said researchers who examined reported instances of abuse in assisted living facilities.
Refugees’ Needs In U.S. Change As World’s Conflicts Shift
Syrian and Iraqi refugees arrive with decidedly different medical and mental health needs than other waves of refugees.
Big Companies Expect Moderate Increases In 2017 Employee Health Care Costs
Two surveys suggest these companies continue to try new ways to control the expense of employees’ coverage.
Viewpoints: The ACA’s Wellbeing — Healthy Or Ill?; Health Care Costs And Transparency
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Outlets report on health news from New Jersey, California, Georgia, New York and Florida.
Marijuana-Laced Candy Sickens Unsuspecting Partygoers, Including 13 Children
A public health official calls the incident “a strong warning about the dangers of edibles.”
Maryland To Dole Out $3M To Communities To Address State’s Opioid Crisis
But Baltimore didn’t apply for any of the funding, saying the grants were not a good fit for the city. Media outlets report on the epidemic out of Ohio as well.
Olympians Are Embracing It, But Jury’s Still Out On If Cupping Works
There are small studies that show cupping might help relieve pain and muscle fatigue, but they don’t account for the potential of a placebo effect. Meanwhile, Stat looks at other ways the athletes try to get an edge — and if they work.
Minorities Receive Less Treatment For Pain Due To Racial Bias, Stereotyping: Researchers
“We’ve done a good job documenting that these disparities exist,” said Salimah Meghani, a pain researcher at the University of Pennsylvania. “We have not done a good job doing something about them.”