Latest KFF Health News Stories
Media outlets report on health care news from Hawaii, New York, California, Ohio, Colorado, Missouri, Illinois, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Florida and Washington.
A new study finds that black women who regularly used permanent dyes to color their hair were 60 percent more likely to develop breast cancer. While earlier research on hair dye and cancer risk included mostly white women, 9% of this study’s participants were African-American women. In other public health news: CTE, children’s health, a once-a-month birth control pill, and more.
House To Vote On Bill Geared Toward Helping Hospitals That Are Overwhelmed With Robocalls
For hospitals, the issue of robocalls is a life-or-death problem. A provision in the House’s version of the legislation is designed specifically to protect the medical facilities from such scam calls.
The state accuses Juul of targeting young users with “youth-oriented” sleek designs and an array of flavors. On the same day Minnesota announced the suit, Alaska reported its first case of the vaping-related lung disease sweeping the country. Now all 50 states have reported patients with the illness.
Lawmakers Push For Independent Dispute Resolution Option For Dealing With Surprise Medical Bills
The method that Reps. Joe Morelle, (D-N.Y.), Donna Shalala (D-Fla.) and Van Taylor (R-Texas) are trying to build support for is favored by many providers. Although many lawmakers want to address the issue of surprise medical bills, debate has raged over who gets stuck with the cost at the end of the day. Other news on health care costs focuses on: expensive emergency room visits, value-based care, hospital closures, and more.
States involved in the opioid dispute with the company argued against the bonus. “Purdue should not award bonus payments to [CEO Craig Landau] before resolving the allegations that Landau committed deadly, illegal misconduct,” they said. Purdue Pharma said maintaining its bonus program is essential to keep key employees on the job.
The study found that in one drug only 1% of an estimated 276,000 serious adverse events had been reported. Researchers say they data emphasizes the need for better surveillance of the risk of injury. In other pharmaceutical news: biotechs react to the House drug pricing bill, another drugmaker admits to price fixing, a new medicine might help curb dementia-related delusions, and more.
“The idea that the attorney general of the United States, the nation’s chief law enforcement officer, is recommending abandoning communities as retribution for pushing for police reform or criticizing policing practices, is profoundly dangerous and irresponsible,” said Vanita Gupta, the president and chief executive of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. Meanwhile, a new study found that police shootings of unarmed black Americans led to more infants who were born prematurely.
Although the work requirements played a key role in getting state Republicans to buy in to the idea of expanding Medicaid in Virginia, Democrats recently won control of the Legislature. Now, Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam has directed his administration to “pause” any of those efforts.
In Expected Move, Hospital Groups Sue Trump Administration Over Price Transparency Rule
Almost immediately after HHS announced the rule, hospitals threatened legal action. On Wednesday, they filed suit. The rule would require the hospitals to reveal previously secret negotiations with insurers about the costs of procedures. The hospitals say the Trump administration is overreaching its authority with the requirement.
Former Vice President Joe Biden pitched a tax plan that includes a more moderate corporate tax increase in contrast with his progressive rivals. Biden “is committed to being transparent with the American people about the smart and effective ways he’d pay for the bold changes he’s proposing,” his campaign said. In other news, “Medicare for All” continues to be a landmine for Democrats. How did it get that way?
The Agriculture Department estimates the change, which will limit states from exempting work-eligible adults from having to maintain steady employment, would save roughly $5.5 billion over five years. But critics say the move will hurt the most vulnerable Americans. “Instead of combating food insecurity for millions … the administration is inflicting their draconian rule on millions of Americans across the nation who face the highest barriers to employment and economic stability,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). Media outlets look at how the rule will affect people in states across the country.
First Edition: December 5, 2019
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers and editorials explore these and other health care issues.
Opinion writers focusing on expanding health care to more Americans and other issues.
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical development and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Media outlets report on news from New York City, Texas, Missouri, Georgia, Wisconsin, Louisiana, Texas, and North Carolina.
Boys Can Suffer From Unrealistic Beauty Expectations Too, Experts Caution
Experts also say that one of the earliest features of boys’ puberty is a swing toward silence, retreating from conversation so it can be hard to get them to talk about how these expectations are hurting their mental health. In other public health news: diet, cholesterol, exercise and more.
Government’s Decision To Cut Cost-Sharing Reduction Payments Paid Off For Rural Consumers
A new study found that states that used “silver-loading” or “silver-switching” strategies to compensate for the cost-sharing reduction payment cuts offered lower premiums for subsidized enrollees. The Trump administration has solicited feedback on potentially banning silver-loading in 2021. In other insurance and costs news: bundled payments, penalties, health care sharing ministries and more.
