Latest KFF Health News Stories
The children were the first generation to be raised at home rather than in institutions. But as their parents age, families and advocates wonder what will happen to the vulnerable population. In other health industry news: sky-high medical bills, supply chain tweaks, hospital care at home, and more.
So far, more than 932,000 people have signed up for 2020 health insurance coverage down from 1.1 million sign-ups this time last year despite the marketplace being stronger than ever.
Nine Student Deaths At USC: Officials Announce Probe About Possibility Of Overdoses, Tainted Drugs
Autopsy reports are still pending on some of the students. Three of the deaths are confirmed as suicides. Meanwhile, the university sent a letter to staff and students Tuesday night warning about the dangers of drug use — specifically opioids — and the potentially lethal mix of alcohol and drugs.
A ‘Transformational Gift’: 3 Universities, Cleveland Clinic To Split $1B For Teaching, Research
Money from the sale of The Lord Corp. is being split evenly between Duke, MIT, USC and the Cleveland Clinic. The $261 million gifts to each institution, considered among the largest contributions ever given to universities, come with few restrictions. In other research funding news, Virginia Tech announces a venture with Children’s National Hospital.
Although deaths from superbugs went down, the number of people sickened increased and superbugs are appearing much more often outside of hospital. “You and I are living in a time when some miracle drugs no longer perform miracles and families are being ripped apart by a microscopic enemy,” said CDC Director Robert Redfield.
Red states are noticing the benefits their neighbors reaped by expanding the program, and are slowly warming up to it themselves. “There’s been a ton of evidence showing large gains in health care coverage, while helping states economically and keeping rural hospitals open,” said Connie Farrow, spokeswoman for Healthcare for Missouri. “And it hasn’t hurt state budgets. It remains a really good deal for states to cover hundreds of thousands of people.” Medicaid news comes from Wyoming, Idaho and Florida, as well.
Trump Wants To Demand U.S. Pays Lowest Price For Drugs Out Of Developed Countries, Azar Says
HHS Secretary Alex Azar says that President Donald Trump isn’t satisfied with just tying drug costs to what other countries pay, he wants to get the best deal. It is still unclear if the proposal will ever go into effect, though, and Azar didn’t commit to anything on Wednesday. Meanwhile, a top aide for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) says they’re hopeful the Trump administration will support the sweeping House drug pricing legislation.
Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-Vt.) standing in the 2020 Democratic primary has only grown since his heart attack, proving that the political thinking of days passed may no longer apply to the current landscape. Meanwhile, Sanders has made some lifestyle changes post-attack.
Justice Department Unveils Gun Violence Plan, But Lack Of Any New Tangible Policies Draws Criticism
The system, dubbed Project Guardian, aims to improve background checks by encouraging federal prosecutors to more quickly contribute information about people whose mental-health history prevents them from owning firearms. But gun control advocates said that an initiative that focuses on enforcement and increased policing makes “no serious effort to address the supply of guns.” Attorney General William Barr blames the impeachment investigation for slowing down potential legislative action.
First Edition: November 14, 2019
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Media outlets focus on these public heath topics and others health care issues.
Media outlets report on news from Arizona, Missouri, Kentucky, Kansas, Maryland, North Carolina, California, Iowa, Massachusetts, Florida, Georgia, Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee, and New Hampshire.
While three of the deaths on the University of Southern California campus were suicides, officials still haven’t determined some of the causes. School administrators have faced a balancing act, trying to share adequate information with students without overloading them with unnecessary details.
While the number of crimes dipped slightly compared to 2017, Brian Levin, co-author of the report said, “We’re seeing a leaner and meaner type of hate crime going on.” The majority of hate crimes were motivated by bias against race and ethnicity, religion, and sexual orientation.
Planned Parenthood’s acting president, Alexis McGill Johnson, says that as states passed laws to limit abortion access, Planned Parenthood’s clientele became increasingly desperate for information. “Restrictions have just been coming so fast and furious,” she said. The new tool will direct patients to the closest Planned Parenthood facility that is able to accommodate the procedure. News on abortion comes out of Michigan and Florida, as well.
Stigmas over discussing health and injuries or questioning team doctors are changing according to a story by The New York Times. “This is the age of empowerment, they feel emboldened, and you’ll see more and more veterans standing up for themselves,” said James Acho, a lawyer who has represented NFL players. More public health news is on the late Rep. Elijah Cummings’ rare cancer, flu vaccine research, a questionable Army discharge, dementia, mental health, septic shock, disadvantages for black newborns, and workouts for arthritis pain, as well.
A Look Back At The Legacy Left Behind Following Kaiser Permanente CEO Bernard Tyson’s Death
Kaiser Permanente Chief Executive Bernard Tyson, one of a few top black executives of major U.S. for-profit or nonprofit corporations, is remembered as an influential voice on issues of race relations and health policy. But his tenure at Kaiser Permanente wasn’t without strife. In other health industry news: a canceled merger, a promotion at UnitedHealth Group, and a possible acquisition.
A 17-year-old from Michigan faced “certain death” after coming down with the vaping-linked lung illness regulators recently tied to vitamin E acetate oil. Patients who have double lung transplants have a median survival of seven years after surgery, but the boy’s doctors anticipate he may be able to beat those odds.
The Wall Street Journal reporting revealed that a Google health initiative is amassing millions of patients’ data without their knowledge. The fallout from the investigation reverberated through both Washington, D.C., and the rest of the country.
The Supreme Court announced it wouldn’t take up Remington’s appeal of a ruling by Connecticut’s top court to allow the lawsuit proceed, despite a federal law that broadly shields firearms manufacturers from liability when their weapons are used in crimes.
