Latest KFF Health News Stories
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.
New Legislation About Drug Trials Offers Hope For Children With Incurable Cancers
The U.S. is set to begin testing drugs on children, a step researchers say many drugmakers skipped because it was risky and costly. “It is an incredibly exciting time,” said Crystal Mackall, a pediatric-cancer researcher. “We have lots of drug companies who want to speak with us suddenly.” Other public health news focuses on a new breast cancer treatment; hemp-derived product regulations; access to dental treatments; killings of transgender people; LGBTQ communities facing bias; exercise’s role during dementia and more.
UnitedHealth, Largest U.S. Health Insurer, Beats Expectations For Fourth-Quarter Profits
UnitedHealth says higher-than-expected medical costs in the fourth quarter of 2018 were limited to states for which it manages their Medicaid benefits.
Walmart Expected To Drop CVS Prescription Drug Coverage Due To Reimbursements Dispute
CVS said that Walmart is seeking an increase in what the retailer gets paid for prescriptions, which would “ultimately result in higher costs for our clients and consumers.” But a person familiar with Walmart’s position said Walmart didn’t ask CVS to increase the amount it pays the retailer when shoppers fill a prescription, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Long Battle Over Burn Pits’ Negative Health Effects To Veterans Ends As Supreme Court Passes On Case
The giant military contractor responsible for the burn pits successfully argued in lower courts that it was acting under Pentagon supervision and is immune from liability. The veterans, however, claimed that KBR was negligent and violated its contract with the military by exposing troops to toxins.
“We are headed for the same goals, but not necessarily the exact same legislation, so I’ve got to tell you I came out of the meeting feeling hopeful that this is something that we can do on a bipartisan basis,” said House Oversight Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) after meeting with HHS Secretary Alex Azar.
While much abortion litigation has centered on abortion bans, the legal campaign against physician-only statutes is targeting laws that are often decades-old and have previously faced little judicial scrutiny. Meanwhile, House Democrats are vowing to repeal a ban on use of federal funds for abortions.
Kentucky’s Tweaked Medicaid Work Requirement Rules Face Fresh Court Challenge
Republican Gov. Matt Bevin’s first attempt to add work requirements to Kentucky’s Medicaid program were blocked by a federal judge. Bevin reworked the rules and was re-approved by the Trump administration to move forward with the changes. Now, residents are trying to thwart this second attempt at implementing the requirements.
Maryland Lawmakers Seek ‘I’m Alive Today’ App For Parents Who Abuse Opioids, Can’t Care For Babies
In Maryland, when an infant is confirmed as drug-exposed, the mother is referred to a social worker. The app would would help social workers reach out to parents with automated prompts asking, “Are you able to care for your child?” News on the opioid epidemic comes out of Michigan, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Ohio, also.
Documents Reveal Just How Involved Sackler Family Was In Aggressive OxyContin Marketing Techniques
Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, has drawn blame for its role in igniting the opioid crisis in the country. Now new documents show how the family that owns the company was involved with the decisions to aggressively push opioids on to patients in the years leading up to the epidemic, even though Purdue seeks to portray the family members as removed from day-to-day operations.
Native American tribes are facing food and drug shortages as the shutdown stretches on. The tribes are hit harder than others because they rely on federal funding for many of their basic services. In other news, the FDA has restarted some food inspections, and lettuce farmers are anxious to have the agency back on the job for growing season.
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Trump Takes Credit For Declining Drug Prices, But How Accurate Is That Claim?
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
First Edition: January 16, 2019
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers express views on these health care topics and others.
Media outlets report on news from Texas, Colorado, Minnesota, Kansas, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Ohio, Atlanta, Missouri, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
If the results hold up, they could spare many patients from suffering the severe side effects of these drugs with nothing to show for it. In other public health news: transplants, twins, biological weapons, suicides, stillborns, and more.
New Look For Americans: Bodies Aren’t Getting Much Taller, But They Are Much Heavier
New government statistics show both men and women have gained at least 30 pounds since 1960 while their height has remained about the same. Other nutrition news looks at how junk food is targeted to minorities and tips on how not to overeat.
Americans Are Now More Likely To Die In An Accidental Opioid Overdose Than A Car Crash
But most Americans are still most likely to die of natural causes such as heart disease or cancer. In other news on the opioid crisis: a mass drug overdose in California leaves at least one dead and more than a dozen in care; Purdue asks the court to review a decision about unsealing the company’s secret records; can medical marijuana help in the fight against the epidemic; and more.
Will 2019 Be The Year Mississippi Expands Medicaid? A Look At Where Politicians Fall On The Issue
Some Mississippi Republicans appear to be coming around on the issue, as long as there were some strings attached to the expansion. Medicaid news comes out of Virginia, Utah and Massachusetts, as well.
