Latest KFF Health News Stories
The decision made by former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt about exempting southeastern Wisconsin from federal smog regulations came at the same time as Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican, was campaigning for a third term. Hundreds of emails and internal documents released Friday show senior EPA scientists complaining that conclusions in support of the decision, which could not be supported by data, were being demanded by top Trump administration officials.
Most of the litigation against opioid makers and distributors is wrapped up in a single massive lawsuit overseen by a federal judge in Ohio, but the Oklahoma lawsuit will be the first to reach trial and could establish a precedent for damages paid to communities ravaged by opioids. The case is trickier than emotions surrounding it may suggest because opioids are legal and regulated and meant for medical treatment. That sets the arguments apart from the Big Tobacco reckoning that these lawsuits are often compared to. Over the weekend Teva Pharmaceuticals settled with the state, leaving Johnson & Johnson alone to bare the brunt of the nation’s scrutiny.
Editorial pages focus on these and other health care topics.
Both Sides See Renewed Attention On Abortion Wars As A Boon Heading Into 2020 Elections
Advocates in both parties are hoping that the hot-button, emotional topic will drive voters to the ballot boxes. In other news on the issue: not all Democrats are falling in line with the party, arguments over rape and incest divide anti-abortion activists, a look at what would happen if Roe v. Wade is overturned, and the pope weighs in.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Despite Turmoil In Industry, It’s Still Health Care CEOs Who Get Paid The Most In The Country
The typical CEO in the industry made $16.1 million last year. In other health industry news: health benefits brokers, a possible merger, and a scheme involving pelvic mesh implants.
HHS’ proposed regulation would replace a 2016 rule from the Obama administration that defined discrimination “on the basis of sex” to include gender identity. Under the provision, health care services for transgender patients and patients with a history of abortion had to be offered by hospitals and covered by patients’ health plans. The move is a part of a broader push by the administration to roll back specific protections for transgender individuals.
The drug made by Novartis alters the underlying genetic cause of spinal muscular atrophy and may permanently stop the disease, offering hope to families who had none before. But the cost has been set at over $2 million. Though patients won’t be on the hook for that amount, the eye-popping figure has raised questions once again about pricey gene therapies.
In a tweet, the Army asked veterans to sound off about how serving has impacted their lives. What followed might not have been what officials were expecting. Meanwhile, The Associated Press fact checks President Donald Trump’s statements about health care improvements for veterans.
A flurry of abortion news comes out of Mississippi, Alabama, Missouri, Louisiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
Longer Looks: Abortion Restrictions; Republican Health Care Proposals; And The Public Option
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Opinion writers examine the complexities of abortion rights and other women’s health issues.
Editorial pages feature opinions on immigration, vaccinations, gun safety, heart disease, climate change and more.
Women In Health Care Industry Routinely Overlooked For Promotions Due To Gender
The survey comes amid a broader push among the industry to get more women into leadership roles. More health systems are appointing chief diversity officers tasked, in part, with ensuring gender diversity. Time’s Up Healthcare also recently launched to address similar disparities and injustices. But shifting from how things have always been done in health care has proven to be difficult and slow.
House Committee Leaders Target Medicare Part D With Draft Legislation To Lower Drug Costs
“Already this Congress, our committees have held several hearings with patients and experts from across the political spectrum to discuss options to lower prescription drug prices,” the bipartisan group of House lawmakers said. “Universally these witnesses agreed that Medicare Part D can and should be improved to cap out-of-pocket spending, and lower costs both for the patients and for the Medicare program.” The bill came the same week as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi began to test the waters on negotiating powers for Medicare.
White House Forges Ahead With Public Charge Rules Following Complaints DHS Was Slow-Walking Process
The Trump administration has sought to impose tougher requirements on legal immigrants using public assistance programs, a move that advocates say will have a chilling factor on vulnerable migrants — and potentially their sponsors — who would otherwise seek health care and food aid.
Media outlets report on health care news out of Arizona, California, Colorado, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Illinois, Tennessee, Florida, New Jersey and Michigan.
University of Southern California administrators hired a team of medical experts after it received complaints against longtime campus gynecologist Dr. George Tyndall. Despite the subsequent damning report, he wasn’t fired. Instead, USC’s lawyers arranged a secret deal with Tyndall that allowed him to leave his post with a substantial financial payout and a pristine professional record. News on medical personnel comes out of Ohio, Maryland, D.C., and California, as well.
Screening requirements for hospitals and nursing homes can be costly and time-consuming, but state officials say they are determined to stop Candida auris, a fungus of mysterious origin that has been quietly spreading around the world since it was first identified in 2009. In other public health news: cancer, autism, superbugs, genital cutting, black lung, stress fractures and more.
Nation’s Eyes Swivel To Oklahoma As High-Stakes Opioid Trial Against Drugmakers Kicks Off Next Week
The hearing is the first public trial to emerge from roughly 2,000 U.S. lawsuits aimed at holding drug companies accountable for their alleged role in the nation’s raging opioid crisis. “I expect a very spirited trial,” said local attorney and author Bob Burke. In other news on the epidemic: JPMorgan cuts ties with Purdue Pharma, the American Pain Society is considering filing for bankruptcy, and buprenorphine gains popularity as an addiction treatment.
