Latest KFF Health News Stories
Experts: DEA Out Of Step With Scientific Understanding Of Medical Marijuana
Ohio became the 25th state to legalize medical marijuana — but it is still classified in the same category as heroin by the Drug Enforcement Agency. The agency is facing pressure to reevaluate its classifications, but has so far shown little willingness to relax the restrictions.
FDA Targets 4,402 Websites In International Crackdown On Illegal Prescription Drugs
The FDA is participating in a global effort led by INTERPOL to curb the spread of dangerous counterfeit prescription drugs.
Watchdog Blasts FDA’s Lax Food Recall Policies
The report found that the Food and Drug Administration is taking far too long to issue recalls, endangering the safety of the nation’s food supply.
Justice Department Targets Carolinas HealthCare System In Antitrust Action
The federal government joined with North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper to file a civil antitrust case against the state’s largest health system, alleging it used contract requirements to quash competition.
Senate Health Spending Bill Progresses To The Floor
The measure, which provides appropriations for the Department of Health and Human Services and other government agencies, has drawn rare bipartisan support. Also on Capitol Hill, a measure was introduced in the House which would direct HHS to train health professionals to identify patients who are victims of human trafficking. Meanwhile, House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee Chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich., is skeptical about the prospects of attaching a pending mental health reform bill to legislation focused on opioid abuse.
Nearly 200,000 Louisiana Residents Sign Up For Medicaid Expansion In First Week
The enrollment was aided by the state’s coordination with other groups that serve low-income families. Meanwhile in Utah, many residents push for a Medicaid extension for an additional 16,000 people.
Even With The Health Law In Place, Costs Keep Going Up
The New York Times takes a look at the Geisinger Health Plan’s efforts to provide care to the community it serves as a means to explore why health care expenses and insurance premiums continue to rise. Meanwhile, Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell took steps to quell the doubts of insurers who participate in Obamacare exchanges.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Medicare’s Efforts To Curb Backlog Of Appeals Not Sufficient, GAO Reports
Investigators from the GAO call for HHS to improve oversight of the Medicare appeals process and streamline it to make sure repetitive claims are handled more efficiently.
Customers’ Pot Smoking May Not Be A Deal Breaker For Life Insurers
A survey of officials at life insurance companies finds that many factor in marijuana use when considering coverage, but they are often concerned about the frequency of use.
For Doctors-In-Training, A Dose Of Health Policy Can Help The Medicine Go Down
Medical residents at George Washington University spend three weeks examining and diagnosing the nation’s health care system.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Outlets report on health news from Missouri, Arkansas, New York, Louisiana, California, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Florida, Tennessee, Hawaii and North Carolina.
Bribes-For-Test-Referrals Scheme Draws Prison Time For N.Y. Doctor
Meanwhile, a Maryland physician pleads guilty to health care fraud after he fled to Panama amid charges that he overprescribed painkillers, and two former employees of CareFlight are alleging in a federal whistle-blower suit that the nonprofit air and ground medical service provider improperly billed the federal government.
Gov. Kasich Signs Ohio’s Medical Marijuana Measure Into Law
Ohio is now the 26th state to legalize marijuana for medical purposes. However, the law sets out a number of steps that must take place in order to establish the state’s program, which is expected to be operational in about two years.
5,000 Nurses To Strike At 5 Minn. Hospitals
The union says it is protesting Allina Health’s “unwillingness to respond to their proposals on workplace violence and staffing issues.” The strike will be for one week.
California Aid-In-Dying Law Goes Into Effect
Some are worried that low-income people will be pressured into choosing the option over more expensive long-term care.
Longer Looks: Mental Illness And Death Row; Declining Women’s Health; And Fighting Superbugs
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
More Women In Texas Crossing Into Mexico For Do-It-Yourself Abortion Pills
Misoprostol is easy to get without a prescription in Mexico, but it lacks the second half of the regimen — mifepristone. Meanwhile, after Texas cut its HIV prevention contract with Planned Parenthood, the state promised there would be no gap in services. That hasn’t proven to be the case.
Proposed VA Rule Would Lift Restriction On Gender Reassignment Surgery For Vets
If approved, the regulation would allow Veterans Affairs hospitals to provide the procedure. In other news, the struggles of an old Army buddy prompt a scientist to study battlefield brain injuries.