Latest KFF Health News Stories
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.
Eating Chips, Other Ultra-Processed Foods Sets Off ‘Hunger Hormones,’ Rapid Weight Gain, Study Finds
More than half of the calories consumed in Americans’ diets are made up ultra-processed foods, packaged or fast foods that contain added sugars, refined carbohydrates, industrial oils and sodium. Research published Thursday in Cell Metabolism links those eating patterns to the obesity epidemic. In other public health news: measles, birthrates, mental health claims, knitting therapy, cancer apps, crowded ERs and cystic fibrosis.
“This treatment was developed as a result of investment made by the American taxpayers,” said House Oversight Committee Chairman Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.). “The problem is that Gilead, the company that now sells the drug, charges astronomical prices.” Gilead charged $800 a month for the drug when it was introduced in 2004. The drug now costs nearly $2,000 a month.
The senators unveiled the legislation among a broader national push to protect patients from sky-high surprise medical bills. Although most agree that the patient shouldn’t be stuck with the costs, there is some dispute about how to settle any conflicts between the insurers and the hospitals.
Trump Administration Backpedals On Controversial Plan To Let Medicare Exclude Certain Drugs
When the rule was originally proposed, the Trump administration said that it would give Medicare more leverage to negotiate for better pharmaceutical prices. But opponents of the change say it would endanger patients’ lives.
Missouri is poised to pass an 8-week ban on abortions, following Alabama and Georgia’s recent moves to restrict the procedure. Looks at how the issue is playing across the country reveal deep divides between the states as they charge in different directions.
Eyes are on both Chief Justice John Roberts, who appears to favor an incremental approach to his decisions, and Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who previously mused about what compelling reasons there could be to overturn precedent. Meanwhile, there’s a quieter battle being waged in courthouses across the country.
New Rules Pit Transplant Centers Against Each Other While Judge Again Orders Policy Delay
Doctors and patients in rural areas allege that HHS and United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) were ignoring federal court judge Amy Totenberg’s order to temporarily delay implementing new rules for distributing organs for transplant. Totenberg reissued the order Wednesday night.
Texas Lawmakers Poised To Go Home Without Taking Any Gun Safety Action
Despite support from Gov. Greg Abbott (R-Texas), the Texas Legislature is no closer to voting on tougher firearm storage laws to help prevent mass shootings such as the one at Santa Fe High School when 10 were killed a year ago. Lawmakers are moving forward with a measure to arm more school personnel. Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., police officials study gun violence to try to understand the causes.
‘This Really Changes The Game:’ Teens Benefit As Much Or More Than Adults From Obesity Surgery
A new study finds that gastric bypass surgery works as well in teenagers as it does in adults: diabetes went into remission for 86% of teens and 53% of adults after the operations, while high blood pressure went down for 68% of teens and 41% of adults. Though 6 million American adolescents are candidates for surgery few get it, in part due to a lack of information on efficacy.
OxyContin Maker Faces Fresh Round Of Lawsuits From 5 More States Over Opioid Epidemic
Kansas, Iowa, Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Wisconsin filed suits this week against Purdue Pharma for the drug manufacturer’s alleged role in the national opioid epidemic.
