Latest KFF Health News Stories
Editorial pages focus on these public health topics and others.
Research Roundup: ‘Public Charge’ Policy; Medicare Part B; And Romaine Lettuce Contamination
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Media outlets report on news from New York, Oregon, Florida, Texas, Massachusetts, Ohio, Idaho, California, Georgia, Texas and Tennessee.
The task force’s report recommends that Delaware impose its own individual mandate, including a penalty to subsidize the state’s health law marketplace, which saw enrollment drop about 7 percent last year. State marketplace news comes out of Minnesota, as well.
Minnesota Lawmakers Get A Lesson On Public Health Dangers Of Climate Change
A doctor from Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate met with a new climate policy committee to inform them about the dangers of greenhouse gas emissions and how to regard legislative proposals about it. The advocacy group plans to travel to Washington, D.C. later this year to meet with more lawmakers. Legislative news comes out of Vermont, New Hampshire, Texas, Washington, Missouri and Virginia, also.
Third-Party Manager To Take Over Nursing Facility Where Comatose Woman Gave Birth
Arizona agencies cited Hacienda HealthCare’s “critical failures” in protecting the safety of the comatose woman. The facility has until 5 p.m. Thursday to respond to the state’s demand for a third-party manager, “or the state will pursue any and all of remedies legally available to it.”
A recent court case over a theater program and a child with a peanut allergy highlights the social isolation some young people deal with when they have a food allergy. “The child starts to feel like he or she is the problem,” said Dr. James Baker Jr., the director of the Mary H. Weiser Food Allergy Center at the University of Michigan. In other public health news: stem cells, embryos, physician burnout, vitamin D, sleep, mental health, and more.
As Teen Vaping Epidemic Continues To Increase, No Therapy Exists To Help Break Addiction
The anti-smoking therapies on the market — such as nicotine patches and gums — are not approved for children. Teens who become addicted will just need to have ”discipline” to quit, some experts say. In other news on the epidemic, researchers say e-cigarettes seem to be more appealing to teens than tobacco and are causing more serious problems.
Despite the slower pace, though, many Advantage insurers still experienced big enrollment increases as they picked up more market share. Other industry news looks at UnitedHealth’s court loss over withholding payments to out-of-network physicians and Dr. Atul Gawande’s decision to step out of a major health care conference.
Reports That Trump Administration May Allow States To Block Grant Medicaid Infuriates Hospitals
Hospital groups say that states already have flexibility under federal waivers to make changes to Medicaid so there isn’t a need to install a block-grant program. CMS has not confirmed it is looking at a block-grant waiver program, but a spokesperson said that the CMS is open to giving states the option to adopt a block grant.
Recently released court documents have revealed the strategy behind Purdue Pharma’s strategy to flood the marketplace with its painkiller, including the decision to partner with Massachusetts General Hospital, Tufts University, and other academic institutions. The decision by the facilities to take money from the company raised eyebrows among ethics experts in the field. “My first reaction was kind of ‘yikes,’” said Genevieve Kanter, as assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania. News on the opioid crisis comes out of Ohio, D.C., and Massachusetts, as well.
Both Sides Of The Abortion Battle Are Taking Their Fight To The States This Year
The Associated Press offers a look at some of the notable bills across the country. Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood asks a judge to repeal Wisconsin laws that make it harder for women, especially in rural areas, to get an abortion.
Drug Pricing Firmly At Center Stage On Capitol Hill As Divided Congress Kicks Off New Session
There’s been a flurry of movement and discussions this week about the issue, which many say will be one of the few bipartisan issues that the divided Congress can tackle in the next two years.
Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.), the new chairwoman of the House Energy and Commerce health subcommittee, said she wasn’t ready to make a value judgment on whether “Medicare for All” is a good idea, but that she wants to learn more about the different plans that are out there.
“The FDA made it really clear that the responsibility for food safety lies with the companies,” said Catherine Donnelly, a professor at the University of Vermont. “They just have responsibility for oversight and determining whether there are violations.” But other experts say that especially pregnant women or children with an immune deficiency might want to avoid taking any risks.
A Whopper Of A Report: Only One Burger A Week Is Best For Your Health And The Planet
The study in Lancet recommending a plant-based diet comes from nutrition, agriculture and environmental experts recommending a “Great Food Transformation” by 2050. But is it really best for us, some nutritionists ask. Other nutrition news focuses on upping protein intake by seniors.
First Edition: January 17, 2019
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers focus on these health care topics and others.
Media outlets offer news from Washington, Iowa, Florida, Virginia, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Georgia, California, Ohio, Massachusetts and Wisconsin.
Maryland’s New Red Flag Law Is Saving Lives In Fight Against Gun Violence, Police Say
At least nine states have adopted a law allowing family members and friends to request court orders preventing people from having guns. In Maryland, police say it’s already working.
