Latest KFF Health News Stories
Nine of the presidential candidates addressed the Poor People’s Campaign, a clergy-led effort to revive the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s push for attention and resources on poverty. In his remarks, former Vice President Joe Biden focused on his plan to expand on the health law, while others took a more sweeping approach.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers weigh in on these health topics and others.
Arizona state officials said they will seek a revocation of Hacienda’s license based on findings from a recent survey and an “extremely disturbing incident involving inadequate patient care” that was reported this week. Other news on quality in care facilities and hospitals comes out of Minnesota, North Carolina, Georgia, Texas and Ohio.
Media outlets report on news from California, Michigan, New York, Alabama, Minnesota, Tennessee, Florida, Connecticut, Louisiana, Arizona, Virginia, Colorado, Washington, Connecticut and Maine.
Firefighters Diagnosed With Occupation Cancer Often Left Hanging By The Very Cities They Protected
Firefighters these days are more likely to die of cancer than in the blazes themselves. But health coverage plans haven’t adapted to that reality. “My city’s workers’ comp carrier initially flat-out said, ‘We don’t cover cancer,'” said firefighter Patrick Mahoney. He appealed his case and won, twice, but then the city of Baytown, Texas, sued him to get the decision reversed.
IBM Agrees To $14.8M Settlement Over Botched Rollout Of Maryland’s Health Law Exchanges In 2013
The state’s online marketplace crashed the first day, in a very public black mark against then-Gov. Martin O’Malley. There were similar embarrassments around the country, as many state-run exchange websites failed to work properly. But Maryland’s site was among the worst.
Even in the midst of the worst measles outbreak in decades there’s still voracious push back against banning exemptions. So far this year, only two states — Maine and New York — have successfully outlawed all exemptions except those granted for medical reasons. Meanwhile, public health officials are eyeing the up-coming summer-camp season with trepidation.
The cumulative effect of the Trump administration’s rules could erode a core principle of the health law: ensuring that people can rely on their health insurance if they get sick, and to spread the costs of illness widely. The most recent change gives employers more flexibility to steer tax-exempt dollars to employees for health care.
Right now, 1,650 municipalities and counties are eligible for compensation in a sweeping opioid court case being overseen by a judge in Ohio. The unique proposal made on Friday would expand that number to about 24,500. The goal behind this proposal is to sweeten the incentive for the defendants to negotiate a settlement in earnest, something they have largely resisted. If all municipalities are included in a settlement, the reasoning goes, these companies would not have to fear future lawsuits from local governments.
The policy effectively served as a blanket ban on abortion that was inconsistent with Supreme Court precedents saying the government can’t unduly burden a woman’s right to choose to terminate a pregnancy, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit wrote in a 2-1 ruling on Friday. The court upheld the block on the policy.
Looking For New Answers To Aging Well: What Bats In Belfries, Marmosets In Mountains Might Tell
While animals have long been studied in medical research, a new wave of researchers is looking for different answers. “The goal isn’t to increase the number of 120-year-olds who are living in nursing homes. We want more 80- and 90-year-olds who are living independently,” says Corinna Ross, a primatologist at the Texas Biomedical Research Institute. More aging news reports on grip strength, defining “old” and the power of laughter.
Processed foods have been a target of nutritionists who partly blame the obesity epidemic on them. But until researchers know what it is so many people like about cheese puffs and ice cream, getting them to stop eating them will be difficult. The latest public health news is on diversity in medicine, Ebola, mental health, a big drug recall, screen time, pregnant prisoners, antibiotics and more.
The odd pairing of conservative Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) shocked the jaded Twittersphere with hints that they could work together on legislation for over-the-counter birth control. But the issue of costs already threatens to derail the duo. In other news from Capitol Hill: medical research on primates, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and tobacco, the Hyde amendment and the 9/11 victims fund.
Medicaid is a crucial part of tackling the maternal mortality rates that have been a blight on the country for years. But under the Trump administration, many states are adding restrictions and limits on the program that could counter efforts made to improve women’s health. Medicaid news comes out of New Hampshire, Georgia and Oklahoma, as well.
The city will direct $250,000 into an abortion access fund that will provide payment to clinics on behalf of women who might not be able to pay for abortions, but are not covered by insurance. Roughly a third of the fund will go to women who come to New York for the procedure. Meanwhile, although politicians are drawing lines in the sand over abortion, voters say it isn’t all black and white. News on the issue comes out of Alabama, California, Massachusetts and Missouri as well.
Drugmakers Launch Legal Challenge To Trump Administration Rule On Putting Prices In TV Ads
The companies that are suing the administration say that the requirements are unconstitutional and may also dissuade patients from seeking out needed medication. In making the rules, HHS says that if drugmakers are forced to show just how much they’re charging for the treatments, they may feel compelled to lower the costs.
‘Medicare For All’ Advocates Strive To Build Grass Roots Support One Door Knock At A Time
Although “Medicare for All” is popular with progressives, it faces long political and legal odds in Washington. But a network of advocates is canvassing the country, going door-to-door to try to build support for the idea with voters. Meanwhile, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) defended the plan on Sunday.
President Donald Trump said he will roll out a health care plan that will be a cornerstone of his reelection campaign as he looks to counter Democrats’ on health care. But Republicans would rather he shift his focus elsewhere, as health care has been a winning topic for Democrats in recent years.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
