Latest KFF Health News Stories
A new study by the Urban Institute found that 13.7% of adults in immigrant families say they did not participate in public benefit programs because they feared losing their legal status.
HHS authorities confirmed the death of a 10-year-old girl from El Salvador last year — bringing the total number of immigrant children who died in U.S. custody to six. Meanwhile, at a House Homeland Security Committee hearing, lawmakers questioned Kevin McAleenan, the head of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, about the care children are receiving. And an outbreak of the flu prompts officials to close a large border detention facility.
It’s unclear what path the Supreme Court will choose to take on the polarizing issue, but if the justices agree to hear a case this year, then it’s likely their subsequent ruling would drop a bombshell into the 2020 campaign season just as it starts heading for the finish line. Meanwhile, the battle of abortion has long been shaped by rhetoric — The New York Times helps explain what the terms mean.
Rep. Cheri Bustos, the chairwoman of the House Democrats’ campaign arm, pulled out of a fundraiser for Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D-Ill.) because of his anti-abortion stance. The move highlights a growing sense that abortion is a litmus test for Democrats as the country heads into the 2020 elections.
2020 Hopefuls Harris, Gillibrand Unveil Legislation Aimed At Improving Maternal Care In U.S.
Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) released separate bills that both target dismal statistics on maternal care in the U.S. Harris’ legislation especially focuses on disparities in care for minorities, while Gillibrand’s includes proposals to make adoption and fertility treatments more accessible.
Media outlets report on news from California, Arizona, North Carolina, Maryland, Florida, Ohio, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Georgia, Oregon and Texas.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers examine the complexities of abortion rights.
Editorial pages feature opinions on vaccinations, AIDS, mental health care, gene editing and more.
From The State Capitols: Gun Control, Mental Health, Food Stamp Work Requirements And More
Outlets report on state Capitol news from Texas, Ohio and New Hampshire.
In a report published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, researchers find that patients treated with cannabidiol (CBD) reported lower cravings for heroin or other opioids than did patients who were either given a placebo or no treatment at all. As states and public health experts scramble to contain the drug epidemic, the findings could provide some hope.
Blue Cross Follows In Rivals Footsteps By Snapping Up Doctors Practices
A decade ago, the notion of insurers owning physicians groups was fairly unusual, but it’s now a trend as health care companies look to contain costs. Other health industry news focuses on physicians groups, Johnson & Johnson’s court woes, and intellectual property battles.
The New York Times examines the slow-motion public health crisis that’s particularly concentrated in small towns and unincorporated communities in the Central and Salinas Valleys, the key centers of California agriculture. In other environmental health news: pesticides, air pollution, and drinking water contamination.
Costs Will Most Likely Take Center Stage At Second Hearing For ‘Medicare For All’
For the next congressional hearing on single-payer plans, the House Budget Committee has only summoned CBO analysts to testify.
Media outlets report on news from Georgia, California, Washington, Illinois, North Carolina, Ohio, Maryland, Minnesota, Florida and Alabama.
About 1 in 4 teens and 1 in 5 younger children had unhealthy levels of at least one of type of blood fat, but the levels are improving from previous years. In other diet and health news: eggs and stroke risk, breakfast, and Weight Watchers for teachers.
The procedure involves a doctor making an incision at the vaginal opening during labor. Despite established guidance of more than a decade that they should only be performed in emergencies, a USA Today analysis of hospital billing data finds dozens of hospitals in eight states with episiotomy rates of 20% or higher — and some nearly double that. In other public health news: gene-editing, vaccines, LGBTQ seniors, face mites, and more.
The center primarily responsible for processing migrants in South Texas will temporarily stop taking in new people and officials say they are treating those with fevers. A 16-year-old from Guatemala died after being detained at the facility for six days — twice as long as generally allowed by law. The boy, who had been diagnosed with the flu, was the fifth child to die in U.S. custody in recent months.
Senate Health Chairman To Steer Clear Of ACA As He Unveils Package Of Bills To Cut Health Care Costs
Senate Health Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) instead is focusing on issues where he sees there might be some bipartisan agreement — such as surprise bills. Alexander said Tuesday the package would also address rebates that drug companies give on their drugs as well as medical pricing “transparency.”
‘Together, We Are Going To #StopTheBans’: 2020 Dems Join Protesters Rallying Against Abortion Laws
The crowded field of 2020 Democratic presidential hopefuls has condemned the strict legislation passed in several Southern and Midwest states, framing the issue as Republicans being out of step with average Americans. Several joined a rally held on the Supreme Court steps Tuesday.
