Latest KFF Health News Stories
News on the state legislative action comes from Florida, Maryland, Arizona, Ohio, Texas and New Hampshire.
Ohio’s ‘Heartbeat’ Abortion Bill Is Now Law
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) signed one of the nation’s most stringent abortion measures, outlawing the procedure once a fetal heartbeat is detected. Opponents are alreadying taking steps to challenge the law in court. And as more and more states take up abortion-related measures — in part, to elevate cases to the Supreme Court — actions in Florida, Texas, North Carolina and Arizona make headlines.
Florida House Panel Approves Bill Seeking Medicaid Work Requirements
Florida has not expanded its Medicaid program under the federal health law, so this measure, which now goes to the full House, would apply to the traditional Medicaid program. News outlets also report on Medicaid news out of Montana, North Carolina, Iowa and Tennessee, as well as proposals for changes in federal rules from an advisory group.
NASA Astronaut’s Health Does Change While In Orbit, But Researchers Disagree About Level Of Risk
Scientists studying the research on the Kelly brothers following Scott’s 340 days in orbit had mixed opinions about the the biomedical and genetic changes brought on by long-term space travel. “What this really does is open a door to the kind of analysis you could never do before that’s going to be important for astronauts when they go on long-duration space flight to Mars and they’re going to have to be progressively independent from the resources that are on the ground,” said Andrew Feinberg, a lead investigator on the Twins Study.
Medical Marijuana Needs Debated In Missouri, Texas
And in Idaho, the issue of legal pot is at the center of a new measure under consideration by lawmakers that would make it harder for referendums to qualify for the ballot.
Living Near A Highway Linked To Kids’ Developmental Delay: Study Says
Researchers focused on nearly 6,000 children living in New York state outside of New York City. Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reports that the nation’s suicide rate is particularly bleak for young people.
The U.S. Is Experiencing Its Second Highest Count Of Measles Cases In Decades. Why?
New York City is one of the hot spots and efforts to respond to the outbreaks are triggering tension within certain neighborhoods. News outlets also report on how other states are faring.
Novartis Evaluates Collaboration To Develop Treatments For Complex Liver Disease
There are currently no approved therapies for the nonalcoholic liver disease. In other pharmaceutical news, the Food and Drug Administration prohibits Sprout from removing an alcohol warning label from a female sexual dysfunction pill.
Nurses Working For Stanford Health Care Prepared To Walk Out Over Expired Contract
The union for 3,700 registered nurses working at Stanford Hospital, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital and other outpatient facilities voted to authorize a strike that could begin as early as April 21. Its contract negotiations with Stanford Health Care management have stalled over wages, workplace safety and other issues.
Military Family ‘Scared’ By New Transgender Rule. Physicians Group Says ‘Deficiency’ Label Is Unfair
More than 14,000 transgender troops can continue to serve openly in the military if they secure an official diagnosis of gender dysphoria, but the language in the new regulation is distressing to some troop members and the American Medical Association.
The disclosures were the latest in New York’s lawsuit against opioid manufacturers and distributors. In a county where Purdue and other manufacturers had the strongest marketing campaigns, emergency room visits for opioids were nearly three times higher than in other parts of the states. News on other opioid lawsuits comes out of Oklahoma, as well.
Changes in Anthem’s Pathway Network Leave Some Ga. Patients Battling For Care Options
People who bought plans during the open enrollment last fall did not know that the insurer’s contract with WellStar Health System hospitals was set to expire at the end of February. Now they want to be able to buy new plans. Also, a Kentucky County settles a claim with the federal government about ambulance charges and Tesla comes under scrutiny over its policies on injured workers’ care.
Senate Appropriators Call For Boost In NIH Spending
CQ reports that House lawmakers had already urged another year of funding increases despite concerns regarding sexual harassment of grantees and other issues.
Senate Finance Leaders Seek Probe Of Middlemen’s Controversial Pricing In Medicaid Programs
The letter from the senators pointed to instances where the middlemen, – known as Pharmacy Benefit Managers,or PBMs – in the prescription drug supply system have purportedly used a practice called spread pricing to make millions of dollars in excess profits at the expense of state Medicaid programs. Also in the news, a new poll suggests many employers are interesting in rethinking the use of PBMs.
And House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) hopes that as her caucus holds its retreat this week members will focus on the “kitchen-table” issues that contributed to Democratic midterm gains. Meanwhile, some Republicans offer cautions about Obamacare.
Medicare-For-All Continues To Play Big For Democrats On The 2020 Campaign Trail
Democratic presidential hopefuls can’t avoid the topic, especially after one of the front runners, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), reintroduced his signature proposal. Meanwhile, The Washington Post reports on efforts from within the health insurance industry to deal with it.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers weigh in on these health topics and others.
Perspectives: Making Vaccines Mandatory Is The Best Choice For All Communities
Editorial writers express views about immunizations.
Research Roundup: Medicaid Expansion, Health Law Repeal And Medicare Advantage Plans
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
