Latest KFF Health News Stories
Grassley Slams Trump’s Claims That Wind Turbines Cause Cancer As ‘Idiotic’
President Donald Trump claimed that the noise from the turbines is linked to cancer, but evidence shows that they don’t cause adverse health effects. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said that he has to teach a lot of new politicians about wind energy and Trump is no different.
The Los Angeles Times and ProPublica investigate high-speed chases that occur when the border patrol is trying to chase down people who have entered the country illegally. In other immigration news: San Diego sues the Trump administration over its policy changes that have strained city services; the government’s largest holding facility, nicknamed “the kennel,” runs out of space; and an autopsy shows that one of the children who died in U.S. custody had the flu.
Possibility That E-Cigarette Use Triggers Seizures In Some Users Investigated By FDA
The cases go back to 2010, with a noticeable uptick in reports beginning mid-2018. The FDA has yet to determine if e-cigarette use is responsible for the seizures, but the agency is concerned enough that it is warning users to be aware of the possibility.
FDA Continues Whack-A-Mole Efforts To Crack Down On Dangerous But Trendy Stem Cell Clinics
Dangerous and mostly unregulated stem cell clinics have cropped up across the county, offering pricey, unproven treatments for anything from sore knees to failing hearts. The FDA has sent letters to 20 companies warning them about their practices, but it’s proving difficult to regulate the ever-expanding field.
The lawsuit claims the Agriculture Department issued its rules with little public notice, no reasoned explanation and against overwhelming opposition from the public. And that by rolling back nutritional requirements, the Trump administration is “attacking the health and the safety of our children,” particularly those who live in poverty.
CMS Suspends Several Consultant Contracts That Sparked Ethics Concerns When They Came To Light
Earlier in the week, Politico reported that CMS was steering communications work to multiple Republican subcontractors to promote Administrator Seema Verma and her work within the administration. The contracts, while legal, did raise ethical questions and prompted leading Democratic lawmakers to immediately call for and investigation.
House Democrats Vote To Condemn Trump’s Health Law Pivot As Republicans Try To Change The Subject
Democrats want to keep the spotlight on the issue, which they see as a winning topic for them with voters. Meanwhile, Republicans, who have born the political bruises from the debate over the past two years, want to direct the nation’s attention elsewhere. And though President Donald Trump seemed on board with that strategy earlier in the week, yesterday he once again promised to have a health plan that was ready for “full display during the election.”
For Many Countries, Poverty Lays At The Heart Of Why Measles, Once Nearly Vanquished, Has Returned
Medical systems in many countries remain too weak to vaccinate enough children year after year to wall out the virus. Media outlets report on the outbreaks in the U.S., as well.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages focus on these health issues and others.
Opinion writers weigh in on health care policies.
Perspectives: Americans Are Prescribed Too Many Drugs And It’s Being Driven By Pharma
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Media outlets report on news from Minnesota, New Hampshire, California, Texas, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Georgia, Florida and Ohio.
Instead of doctors making diagnoses and then suggesting treatments, these sites allow patients to request drugs. Then, physicians serve largely as gatekeepers. But there are few regulations and a host of dangerous practices–like not warning patients about side effects of the drugs–that comes along with this new trend. In other public health news: DNA testing, gene editing, low-carb diets, a marijuana extract, heart health and more.
The Sackler family’s role in the opioid crisis has been under scrutiny as court documents have revealed how involved members were in Purdue Pharma’s aggressive marketing tactics. In the first court response from the family, members say the picture its critics have been painting has been a false one. In other news on the coverage: insurers refute report on coverage for non-opioid pain treatments, uninsured St. Louis residents to be offered addiction treatment, Georgia lawmakers vote to weaken opioid tracking, and more.
Outgoing FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said changes might involve a “more tailored fit” to examine a product’s algorithms, a manufacturer’s plan to make modifications and ability to manage any risks. Other technology news focuses on electronic health records projects at the VA and elsewhere.
Kansas’ Senate President Balks As Governor Calls For Lawmakers To Expand Medicaid
But even top Republicans in the state are getting nervous about their ability to fully block expansion, which has the support of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. State Senate President Susan Wagle told reporters that GOP leaders plan to have a legislative committee study Medicaid expansion this summer and fall. Medicaid news comes out of Arkansas, Montana, Texas and Tennessee, as well.
Tough Negotiations With PBMs Over Generic Drugs Leads To ‘Very Disappointing Quarter’ For Walgreens
The prices that pharmacies like Walgreens pay for generic drugs has been falling, but not as fast as insurers’ reimbursement rates. The shrinking gap between the price Walgreens pays and the amount it receives after dispensing the drug is reducing profit margins, the company says. Other health industry news covers the legal struggles over a popular weedkiller that’s been linked to cancer, an innovative approach to cutting costs, and caregiving benefits.
For many years, families arriving at the border were typically released from U.S. custody immediately and allowed to settle in this country with family or friends while their cases wound their way through the courts, a process that often takes years. President Donald Trump has railed against that practice, but detention and processing centers are too overwhelmed to do much more than that now. Meanwhile, a controversial detention camp in Florida is expanding and officials say that cuts to foreign aid to Central America will only increase the immigration problems at the U.S. border.
