Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: Doctors And Gun Violence; In Funding Scrum, Lawmakers Pit One Virus Against Another
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: Costly Mental Health Care; Doctors And Prices; Effects Of Health Coaching
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Outlets report on health news in Virginia, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Vermont, New York, Florida, California, Michigan, Wisconsin and New Mexico.
Louisiana Governor Signs Bill To ‘Kick Start’ State’s Medical Marijuana Program
Also, news outlets report on efforts to use marijuana to treat PTSD and menstrual pain.
States Eye E-Cigarettes As Source Of Revenue As Traditional Smoking Rates Fall
Between 2011 and 2014, revenue collected from taxes on traditional cigarettes decreased by nearly $1 billion. While that’s a positive sign for the country’s public health, states are feeling the loss and turning toward vaping to make up for it.
Number Of Utahns Covered By Medicaid Expansion Plans Pared Down
Gov. Gary Herbert says he is “disappointed” that even fewer Utahns would be covered under the plan going forward, but he suggested the state may be able to do more in the future. In other Medicaid news, Texas wants to urge women on Medicaid to use long-term contraception.
First Successful Penis Transplant Surgery Raises Unusual Questions
Among them, how do organ procurement teams approach a dying patient’s loved ones to ask if they would like to donate their son’s or husband’s penis?
Genetic Testing Company Myriad Accused Of Withholding Data From Patients
A complaint filed on behalf of four patients alleges that the company is not providing the patients with access to their full test results. Myriad says that genetic information is not covered by HIPAA rules. Meanwhile, scientists are closer to identifying genes that could lead to “designer babies.”
Prescient 2006 Report Warning Of Prison Health Problems Was Buried With ‘Top-Drawer Veto’
The surgeon general report was a call to action for the government to address substance abuse and mental illness within the prison systems — problems that are now in full bloom throughout the country.
Analysis: 40 Percent Of Cancer Deaths In U.S. Are Preventable By Adjusting Lifestyle Habits
Unhealthy eating habits, smoking and heavy alcohol use are just some of the factors that can be modified to decrease a person’s chance of getting cancer. Meanwhile, melanoma survivors speak out during Melanoma Awareness Month, and a new study finds that people with HIV are less likely to get cancer treatment.
Even As Observers Write Its Obituary, Theranos Pushes Expansion Narrative
The bedeviled blood-testing startup has posted 200 job openings and has recently made several higher-level moves as well.
Groups Blast FDA For ‘Bowing To Industry Pressure’ After It Delays Generic Drug Label Rule
In 2013, the Food and Drug Administration proposed changing labeling rules to “create parity” between generic and brand-name drug makers for how they update their labels, exposing generic companies to legal liability if they failed to properly warn of a drug’s risks. The agency has announced it has decided to put off the decision until 2017.
Okla. Passes Bill Making It A Felony To Perform An Abortion, Effectively Banning Procedure
Gov. Mary Fallin has five days to sign the bill into law or veto it. Critics see the move as largely symbolic as they predict it will face a constitutional challenge in court. “I think it is silly for us to pass bills in Oklahoma that can’t go anywhere,” said Republican state Sen. Ervin Yen.
Poll Finds Concerns Growing Among Obamacare Enrollees About Premium, Deductible Costs
The survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation identifies rising concerns about the prices for medical services and insurance.
EPA Introduces Stricter Guidelines On Cancer-Causing Chemical Found In Water
The agency says the new limits were prompted by recent scientific studies linking perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonate to testicular and kidney cancers, as well as birth defects and liver damage.
Clock Is Ticking On House GOP Mental Health Bill
Meanwhile, lawmakers reach an agreement on efforts to overhaul chemical safety laws, and two GOP senators advance legislation to reform the agency that provides health care to Native Americans.
Senate Vote To Fund $1.1B Zika Plan Sets Stage For Showdown With The House
The key difference between the competing versions of the bills is that House GOP conservatives insisted that spending cuts accompany the measure so that its cost isn’t added to the budget deficit.
Clinton’s Plan To Expand Medicare Might Bring Coverage To 7 Million Uninsured: Study
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has proposed that some older Americans be allowed to buy into Medicare early. A study by the consulting group Avalere says that could interest as many as 7 million people who are uninsured and about 6 million who buy coverage on the health law’s marketplaces. Meanwhile, one policy organization revises its estimate of the cost of Sen. Bernie Sanders’ health plan.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
People With HIV Are Less Likely To Get Cancer Treatment
New research finds that patients infected with the virus that causes AIDS are less likely to get treatment for nine common cancers than are people who don’t have HIV.