Latest KFF Health News Stories
Research Roundup: Employer Insurance; Child Abuse; And Health Workers
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
The Trump administration struggles to make headway against the fentanyl-driven opioid epidemic, with public health experts pointing to the need for more resources and an investment that matches the sheer scale of the crisis. President Donald Trump inherited the thorny issue from President Barack Obama who had missteps, as well.
Following last year’s shooting at Santa Fe High School, Texas lawmakers have focused on increasing school security rather than adding restrictions to gun ownership. Gun safety news comes out of Ohio as well.
Bill Targets Hospital ‘Gag Clauses’ Designed To Keep People From Opting For Less Expensive Treatment
The legislation from Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) is part of a larger congressional push to chip away at practices that increase health care costs across the industry. Meanwhile, KHN offers a look at what Congress may be doing about surprise medical bills over the next few months.
Potential Wearable Device Could Discern Others’ Emotions Based On The Sound Of Their Voice
It’s unclear how far along the project is, or if it will ever become a commercial device, but the concept is likely to add fuel to the debate about the amount and type of personal data scooped up by technology giants. In other health and technology news: electronic health records, information blocking and patient privacy, and a behind-the-scenes look at artificial intelligence that can detect cancer.
The legislation would give the final deciding authority to a state public health official instead. State Sen. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) proposed the bill after seeing ads for doctors who were willing to write exemptions. Meanwhile, Maine has become the 25th state to report a confirmed case of measles.
As Room Temperature Rises, So Do Women’s Math And Verbal Scores
The study looks at the difference in women’s productivity while working in environments that have been calibrated to men’s bodies. In other public health news, concussions, transgender athletes, sunscreen, mental health, parenting, and more.
Verma: There Need To Be ‘Serious Discussions’ On How To Pay Sky-High Costs Of Innovative Drugs
CMS Administrator Seema Verma says that the extremely expensive treatments are unlike anything the agency’s dealt with in the past, and there needs to be a way to handle such high costs. But she vehemently shot down the idea that Medicare should have negotiating power over drug prices. In other pharmaceutical news: insulin prices, FDA approvals, microbiome drugs, and more.
A report from Rep. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) and Rep. Hal Rogers (R.-Ky.) points to evidence that pharmaceutical companies who profited from the increased prescribing of opioids influenced the World Health Organization into endorsing use of the drugs across the globe. “The web of influence we uncovered, combined with the WHO’s recommendations, paints a picture of a public health organization that has been manipulated by the opioid industry,” the congressional report claims.
HUD Proposal Would Roll Back Protections For Transgender Homeless People
Shelters would be allowed to consider a person’s sex or gender identification in the decision over whether they are admitted. HUD said the proposal would give more leeway to shelter providers on the admission of people who “may misrepresent their sex.”
The House Budget Committee hearing tried to focus on the potential costs of popular “Medicare for All” type proposals. Congressional Budget Office experts erred more toward caveats and broad predictions than definitive answers though.
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.
