Latest KFF Health News Stories
Heart Failure Patients Warned About The Dangers Of Mixing Prescriptions
The American Heart Association issues a statement to guide heart failure patients and doctors about the effects that drugs for other conditions can have on the heart.
Obama Renews Call For A Public Option In Health Law
The president made the proposal as part of a comprehensive look at the Affordable Care Act’s legacy in an article under his byline in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Patients Sometimes Take Antibiotics Without Consulting A Doctor, Study Finds
Instead of getting a doctor’s prescription, these patients opt to use leftover, unfinished medication from previous ailments.
Viewpoints: Zika And Planned Parenthood; The Public Option; Funding For Safety Net Hospitals
A selection of opinions from around the country on health care.
Outlets report on health news from Ohio, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Wyoming, New York, California, Florida, Iowa and Maryland.
Texas Supreme Court Temporarily Blocks Deep Cuts To Disabled Children’s Therapy Program
Texas lawmakers ordered $350 million in cuts for Medicaid programs that provide physical, speech and occupational therapy to disabled children arguing that the state overpaid for those services.
Study: For LGBT Women, Tailored Mindfulness Approach Key To Weight Loss Success
Instead of focusing on the aesthetics of weight loss, like many programs do, a study appeals to gay and bisexual women’s desire to improve overall health. In other public health news, a woman continues to fight for an autism treatment even after its success fades for her son, “healthy buildings” offer residents wellness perks, shortages persist for organ donations, and other stories.
Dallas Shooting: ‘It Was Like A War Zone,’ ER Doctors Recount
The emergency medicine team at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas talks about the night of the shooting. “It’s one thing to drill and practice it, and it’s another thing to do it,” said Dr. Stephen Burgher.
Utah Reports First Zika-Related Death In Continental U.S.
The patient was elderly and had an underlying health condition. In other news, as Congress struggles to reach a deal over Zika funding, senior health officials warn that Ebola could ignite back into a pressing threat at any time, and lawmakers work to create a FEMA-like emergency health care fund.
OxyContin-Maker Purdue Kept Quiet While Los Angeles Drug Ring Thrived
The drugmaker tracked the clinic that was prescribing a jaw-dropping amount of OxyContin — one employee wrote in an email: “I feel very certain this is an organized drug ring…” — but said nothing to the DEA until years later. Meanwhile the Los Angeles Times also looks at the Washington city that was ravaged by the drug ring.
FDA Roundup: Weight-Loss Device Gets Mixed Doctor Reactions; E-Cigarette Rules Challenged In Court
News outlets cover the latest developments related to the Food and Drug Administration.
‘Moon Shot’ Will Just Maintain Status Quo For Expensive Cancer Drugs, Experts Say
Vice President Joe Biden could try to tackle high costs for cancer treatments with his cancer initiative, but so far he has not indicated that it will be a priority. In other news, California lawmakers are hoping that shining a spotlight on drugmakers will help lower prices.
Consumer Group: Many Lawmakers Opposing Medicare Change Got Drugmakers’ Contributions
Public Citizen reports that 310 lawmakers who were critical of a proposal to change how doctors were paid for Medicare Part B drugs received a total of more than $7.2 million from pharmaceutical and health products companies for their 2016 campaigns.
Providers, Insurers Play Blame Game Over Patients’ Surprise Medical Bills
Physicians groups say the problem is insurance coverage gaps while insurers counter that more doctors are rejecting in-network rates, then charging out-of-network fees that are many times higher. In other news, The Fiscal Times offers tips to contain high medical costs, and adult children are being held financially responsible for their parents’ nursing home bills.
Aetna Seeks To Assuage DOJ’s Anti-Competition Concerns Over Humana Merger
Company executives met with Justice Department officials on Friday to deliver assurances that they will address competitive concerns through asset sales. WellCare and Centene are among the insurers who have offered to buy its Medicare Advantage plans.
Experts Cautious Over TennCare’s Ambitious Mental Health Push
Under the proposed plan, the state’s Medicaid program would cover people who have a qualifying diagnosis of a mental illness or substance abuse disorder. And though many in the health care industry are cheered by the proposal, some worry about how it will be implemented.
Rural Americans Make Greater Insurance Gains Under Health Law Than Urban Residents: HHS
In other ACA news, the medical device tax hits some small businesses.
With Eye On Sanders’ Endorsement, Clinton Offers Expanded Health Care Proposal
Hillary Clinton reaffirms her support for a “public option” and proposes doubling funding for “federally qualified” health centers, which serve about 25 million low-income people in the U.S. Meanwhile, Donald Trump will lay out his vision for veterans’ health care, and a new video from KHN looks at why the presidential candidates’ proposals for regulating drug prices may not be good ideas.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Busting Myths About Mental Illness
Mental illness is common — and so are misperceptions about it. These too-often-believed myths can be harmful to you and your loved ones.