Latest KFF Health News Stories
House GOP Report Finds Administration Spent Billions On Health Law Without Authority
The report by two House committees is expected to be released Thursday. Also in the news, a study finds that the health law’s insurance surcharges for tobacco users were not effective, more concerns are raised about co-ops set up under Obamacare and a new plan comes into the marketplace in Wisconsin.
Planear por adelantado para cuidados al final de la vida
Un nuevo beneficio de salud disponible para millones de californianos anima a las personas a discutir opciones con los doctores para cuidados al final de la vida.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Despite Federal Directive, Texas Denies Medicaid Coverage For An Autism Therapy
The state’s Medicaid program quit covering the expensive therapy, called applied behavioral analysis, leaving some families scrambling to afford the treatment.
Gingrich, Kennedy Take On Opioid Addiction — The KHN Conversation
Patrick Kennedy, a former congressman from Rhode Island, and Newt Gingrich, who was once the House speaker, are advancing policies to combat this national crisis.
Advance Planning For Your End-Of-Life Care
A new health benefit available to millions of Californians encourages people to discuss end-of-life care options with their doctors.
Medical Marijuana Linked To Modest Budget Benefits For Medicare Part D, Study Finds
A Health Affairs study determines that Part D spending went down slightly on prescription drugs for which medical marijuana is viewed as a possible alternative.
Study: Brand-Name Drugs’ High Copays Soak Medicare Part D Patients
A study in Health Affairs finds Medicare Part D beneficiaries were charged copays averaging 10.5 times more for Crestor and Nexium than generic drugs would have cost them.
Consumers’ Sunscreen Picks Don’t Always Track With Doctors’ Advice, Study Says
Researchers examined shoppers’ reviews of sunscreen products on Amazon.com and found that their the ratings often were based on scent, texture and performance, but didn’t necessarily take into account whether the products were consistent with dermatologists’ recommendations.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Bill Gates Defends Drug Pricing System, Saying The Companies Are ‘Turning Out Miracles’
News outlets report on the pharmaceutical drug industry.
Outlets report on health news from Maryland, California, Texas, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Minnesota.
Stem Cells Could Usher In A New Era For Treating Cavities; 20 Years Post-Dolly And No Human Clones
In other public health news, a new study finds that child-centric marketing techniques are contributing the obesity epidemic, experts worry about the slow disappearance of playtime, a woman talks about her experience with bipolar disorder and researchers find that few people want doctors to help them speed up the dying process.
Struck By Steve Jobs’ ‘Excruciating’ Wait, Apple CEO Aims At Organ Shortage With New Software
A new button will allow users to sign up to be organ donors and will come installed on every smartphone the company makes.
Judge Blocks Kansas’ Efforts To Strip Planned Parenthood Funding
The federal judge ruled that Medicaid patients have the right to seek care from a qualified provider of their choice.
Missouri Governor Vetoes Bill That Would Charge Medicaid Patients For Missed Appointments
The bill, passed by the legislature in May, would allow doctors and other health care providers to charge Medicaid patients who don’t give 24-hour notice that they won’t make their appointments. News outlets also look at Medicaid developments in Pennsylvania, Louisiana and Colorado.
Ruling From Federal Appeals Court Upholds Broad Use Of Biotech Patents
The case involved freezing and thawing a type of liver cell, and the appeals court said that a lower court was wrong to suggest that the method couldn’t be patented because it covered a law of nature. In the ruling Tuesday, the judges said the process involves putting steps together in a way that “was itself far from routine and conventional.”
A New Chapter Or Same Old Tricks?: Valeant’s CEO Promise Of Change Sparks Skepticism
When Joseph Papa took over the helm as the troubled company’s CEO, he said things would be different. But a look at how he ran Perrigo shows similar tactics to the ones that got Valeant in trouble in the first place. In other pharmaceutical news, Bristol-Myers acquires a Swedish firm in an effort to expand into the immunotherapy field, Insys Therapeutics says the Food and Drug Administration approved its oral solution for treating conditions related to AIDS and companies are pursuing drugs to boost sexual interest.
Investigation: Nation Is Looking The Other Way When It Is Doctors Who Are Sexually Abusive
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution conducted an investigation into doctors who have either admitted to or been accused of sexual abuse. The investigative team found physician-dominated medical boards gave these doctors second chances. Prosecutors dismissed or reduced charges, so doctors could keep practicing and stay off sex offender registries. And communities rallied around them.
NIH To Enlist Olympic Team In One Of Largest Zika Studies To Date
Researchers plan to recruit American Olympic athletes and staffers this summer and monitor them for a year after the games. In other news, Sanofi is partnering with the U.S. Army on an experimental Zika vaccine, while Brazilian scientists are teaming up with World Health Organization for the same purpose. Meanwhile, Congress is still stalled on funding, and The Dallas Morning News untangles the complicated advice surrounding getting pregnant during the outbreak.