Latest KFF Health News Stories
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.
Starting in June, any advertiser in the United States, United Kingdom or Ireland that wants to run ads using “keywords related to getting an abortion” will have to get certified as one that “either provides abortions or doesn’t provide abortions.”
U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves signaled that he’ll likely rule against Mississippi’s abortion ban that’s tighter than a previous bill he’d decided was unconstitutional. The hot-button topic continues to resonate across the country.
A coalition of two dozen states and municipalities is suing the Trump administration over its expanded conscience rule that protects health care workers who object to certain procedures like abortion because of religious or moral reasons.
U.S. District Judge Richard Leon said during Tuesday’s hearing that he hopes to make a decision “hopefully this summer” about whether to require a full trial but would not give an exact date.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Perspectives: It’s Time To Start Putting America’s Patients First When It Comes To Drug Pricing
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
When It Comes To Transparency In Drug Price Negotiations, Experts Say Lawmakers May Be Going Too Far
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Editorial writers and columnists focus on these and other health issues such as superbugs, Medicare, gun safety and more.
Opinion writers examine the complexities of abortion rights.
