Latest KFF Health News Stories
The process aimed at helping patients born with a severe immune-system deficiency involves removing some blood cells, using a modified HIV virus to insert a missing gene, and returning the cells through an IV. When doctors first tried it 20 years ago, the treatment had unintended effects on other genes, and some patients later developed leukemia.
Watching Media Coverage Of Mass Shootings Becomes Vicious Cycle In Terms Of Mental Health Trauma
A new report finds that people watching the coverage can develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress — but they just can’t look away from the news. And the stress from being glued to coverage ends up spreading through the society like a virus. In other news, as the Columbine anniversary approaches, survivors of that school shooting reach out to help other victims. And the woman who sparked a massive manhunt over possible threats to Colorado schools was found dead.
The research has no immediate impact on treatment for human brain injuries, but it raises questions about something previously thought impossible. The work also could create an ethical minefield of questions regarding life and death. “This is a real advance,” said Andrea Beckel-Mitchener, who leads brain research efforts at the N.I.H. “This has never been done before in a large intact mammalian brain.”
The VA covers Agent Orange-related cancer care for veterans who were fighting on land and in the inland waterways of Vietnam, but has fought expanding those benefits to veterans who were on ships near the country. However, the “Blue Water Vets” have support from certain lawmakers, as well as a new ruling from a federal appeals court that might work in their favor.
In his accusations, House Oversight and Reform Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) focused on letters sent by Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) warning a dozen different drug company executives that Cummings was conducting a partisan investigation, essentially telling them not to participate.
The Washington Post Fact Checker digs into what Vice President Mike Pence has said — or, more accurately, not said — about conversion therapy. The topic arose as 2020 presidential hopeful and South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg calls out Pence’s stance on LGBTQ issues.
The indictments accuse 60 people, including 31 doctors, seven pharmacists and eight nurses, of involvement in the schemes, which included prescribing opioids for gratuitous medical procedures like unnecessary tooth pulling, prescribing to friends and handing out blank prescription forms, among other behaviors. “If these medical professionals behave like drug dealers, you can rest assured that the Justice Department is going to treat them like drug dealers,” said Brian Benczkowski, of the Justice Department.
Idaho Latest State To Add Work Requirements To Voter-Approved Medicaid Expansion
The moves demonstrate the enduring resistance among some Republicans toward adopting programs tied to the health law, even when voters themselves explicitly ask for them. Meanwhile, Montana moves forward with re-authorization of its Medicaid expansion, which now includes new work requirements, as well. Medicaid news also comes out of Tennessee, Iowa and Ohio.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers weigh in on the current measles outbreaks and the importance of vaccines.
Editorial writers express opinions about “Medicare for All.”
Perspectives: Importing Drugs From Canada Is Unsafe, Impractical And Unlikely To Reduce Prices
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Media outlets report on news from Kentucky, Connecticut, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, North Dakota, New York, Washington, Oregon, California, New Hampshire, Michigan, Georgia, Colorado, Ohio, Illinois, D.C. and Texas.
Ohio Weighs Pros, Cons Of Expanding Hospital Oversight After Patient Overdose Deaths
Ohio, the only state that doesn’t license all hospitals, is examining more regulation after two hospitals lacked policies to prevent staff members from accessing and administering fatal amounts of painkillers. News on hospitals comes from Kansas, Missouri and Massachusetts, as well.
Michigan AG Promises That In ‘Likely’ Event Roe Is Struck Down She Won’t Enforce State Abortion Ban
Michigan is among 10 states that still have pre-Roe abortion bans on the books. “I will never prosecute a woman or her doctor for making the difficult decision to terminate a pregnancy,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said. Abortion news comes out of Oklahoma, Texas and North Carolina, as well.
The substance has offered hope to those recovering from opioid addiction, but the FDA contends that there is no evidence to indicate that kratom is safe or effective for any medical use. The CDC weighed in last week with a new report citing a significant death toll linked to kratom. In other news about the crisis: the Sackler deposition has gone mainstream, CVS is fined for its Percocet prescription practices, President Donald Trump will appear at a summit in Atlanta to discuss the epidemic, and more.
Where Are Americans’ Tax Refunds Going? Toward Paying For Health Care.
The week after people get refunds, out-of-pocket health care spending bumps up 60 percent. In other health costs news, Texas passes legislation to try to combat surprise medical bills.
Stat looks at the top people hired by Amazon as it tries to shoulder its way into the health care landscape. In other health industry news, Johnson & Johnson and UnitedHealth post their first-quarter profits.
The government estimated that it would two years to ensure all the migrant families that were separated at the border are reunified, but U.S. District Judge Dana Sabraw, who has been insistent in the past that the federal agencies need to do better, says it shouldn’t take that long.
