Latest KFF Health News Stories
Measles ‘Perfect Storm’ Leads To Uptick In Immunization Rates On Island Known For Anti-Vaccine Views
Anti-vaccine sentiments have been deeply rooted on Vashon, a Washington island known for its counterculture lifestyle. But education efforts, shifting views and recent measles cases in the state are driving vaccine rates up. News outlets report on other new measles cases as well as one of Whooping Cough.
A new report points to a corroded well lining at the Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Storage Facility near Los Angeles as the culprit behind the environmental catastrophe in 2015 and 2016. The investigation also says SoCalGas, the company that runs the facility, failed to properly inspect 60 other well leaks.
Synthetic fentanyl, a deadlier drug that is much cheaper to produce and distribute than heroin, has all but replaced heroin, which used to have deep roots in East Coast places like Appalachia, New England mill towns and New York City. In other news on the drug and opioid epidemic: prescription painkillers, needle exchange programs, opioid use in the workforce, and more.
CMS Releases Guidance To Help States Better Monitor ‘Spread Pricing’ That Can Increase Drug Costs
Over the past year, so-called “spread pricing” has generated controversy over allegations that pharmacy benefit managers pocket portions of payments that should go to state programs. CMS is trying to mitigate that with new guidance. In other pharmaceutical news: a false advertising lawsuit, a dispute over immunotherapy, a health-tracking forum, and more.
The new methodology would assume there is little or no health benefit to making the air any cleaner than what the law requires. On paper, that would translate into far fewer deaths from heart attacks, strokes and respiratory disease, even if air pollution increased. The problem is, scientists say, in the real world there are no safe levels of fine particulate matter in the air.
Progressive Democratic lawmakers and candidates are pushing hard for a massive overhaul of the country’s health system, but they’re walking a delicate line with some voters in their own party who want to see “baby step” improvements instead.
As Vice President Mike Pence’s policy work flies mostly under the radar, he has developed his own sphere of influence at the Department of Health and Human Services.
The anti-abortion movement has been making steady gains in the past few years, and scored major victories with three recent restrictive bills passed in Georgia, Alabama and Missouri. The New York Times looks into the network that’s been built up over the past 50 years. Meanwhile, the courts and state legislatures continue to consider abortion-related issues.
Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) were quick to respond to the Alabama ban with plans of their own to protect abortion rights. The three candidates went significantly further than other candidates, calling for expanding access to abortion instead of just preserving existing access.
Media outlets report on news from Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kansas, Alaska, Georgia, Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, D.C., Louisiana and Missouri.
President Donald Trump tweeted over the weekend that gains by anti-abortion activists will “rapidly disappear” if, as he put it, “we are foolish and do not stay UNITED as one.” Some Republicans on a national level are also trying to put space between themselves and Alabama’s restrictive ban, saying it goes too far. And despite the strong economy as a potential talking point for Republicans, social issues are dominating their early talk the 2020 elections.
Opinion writers address the Alabama abortion ban and the Roe v. Wade debate.
Editorials and columns delve into issues on health costs, insurance, opioids, birth rates and more.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers weigh on abortion issues and other women’s health news.
Editorial pages focus on these health care issues and others.
Media outlets report on news from Maryland, Connecticut, Ohio, Massachusetts, New York, Texas, Missouri, Maryland, California, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Michigan and Iowa.
Longer Looks: The Threat To Abortion, Trump And Drug Prices & What CBD Can Do
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
When A Cold Cheese Sandwich Is Humiliating: Outcry Over ‘Lunch Shaming’ In Schools Gains Traction
Federal lawmakers recently introduced legislation to shield children whose parents haven’t paid for their school lunches. Policies vary across the nation, but in Rhode Island last week there was a backlash against a school when it served some children cheese sandwiches, signaling to others their parents hadn’t paid. Other news on school lunches comes from Oregon.
Even sponsors of the legislation acknowledge the state plans may save consumers only 5-10% on their premiums. Other news on insurance markets in the states comes from North Carolina, Georgia and Houston.
