Latest KFF Health News Stories
Care At Veterans Hospitals Is Just As Good Or Better As Local Private Hospitals, New Study Reports
“Our findings suggest that, despite some recent negative reports, the VA generally provides truly excellent care,” said William Weeks, co-author of the study. In other news on veterans health, caregivers are losing government stipends without warnings.
Harm-reduction advocates have come up with a strategy to circumnavigate laws that would impede them from helping people addicted to opioids use the drugs more safely: setting the organization up as a church.
The resolutions were geared toward protecting women and girls from violence, sexual harassment and early or forced marriage. But the Trump administration argued that the phrase “sexual and reproductive health” has come to be associated with abortion. Other international news focuses on TB tests, vaccines and Ebola.
Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus on Tuesday plan to visit the New Mexico patrol station where Jakelin Caal and her father were taken into custody on Dec. 7 to learn more about why the little girl died the next day. But the Department of Homeland Security says the majority of agents involved in the girl’s detention were union members and, as such, their duties do not include speaking to members of Congress.
Supporters thought that strategy would boost their effort with voters, but it attracted Big Tobacco into the fight. As more people look to the success of the three states who were successful in expanding Medicaid through ballot initiatives, the strategy may offer lessons for 2020. Meanwhile, since work requirements were added to Arkansas’ Medicaid program earlier this year, more than 17,000 beneficiaries have lost coverage.
That approach, being explored by startup Bind Benefits, is drawing attention in a health care industry hungry for innovative ideas on how to cut costs. Meanwhile, a new poll finds that three out of 10 Americans are forgoing care because it’s so expensive.
The company, which is reeling from a Reuters investigation that showed company leaders were aware of asbestos since the 1970s, took out a full-page ad — headlined “Science. Not sensationalism.” — in newspapers including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. The ad asserts that J&J has scientific evidence its talc is safe and beneficial to use.
Chairman Of Powerful Senate Health Committee Lamar Alexander Won’t Seek Re-Election In 2020
The announced departure of Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) will set up a fight for the gavel of that committee, which wages outsized influence on Washington’s health care agenda. Next in line for that position is Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), and behind him is Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.)
Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s bill would establish an Office of Drug Manufacturing that would be required to manufacture at least 15 different generic drugs in its first year where the agency determines there is a failure in the market. Meanwhile, Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) is also introducing legislation geared toward high drug costs and increasing transparency in Medicaid funding.
The industry was left reeling despite the fact that many legal experts expect the decision to be overturned. Meanwhile, insurers hastened to try to reassure their customers that nothing is changing immediately.
In theory, U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor’s declaration that the health law is unconstitutional without the individual mandate tax should be a victory for Republicans who have been waging a war against the ACA for years. In practice, experts say it may be putting the party in a “lose-lose scenario” with voters. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump maintains that the ruling presents an opportunity for lawmakers to create a better health care system.
In their filing to U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and other Democratic attorneys general also asked for permission to immediately appeal’s his decision that the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional. For its part, HHS says that since O’Connor had not issued a final judgment or an injunction, the department “will continue administering and enforcing all aspects of the ACA as it had before the court issued its decision.” Meanwhile, Democrats prepare to act to protect the law as soon as they take the majority in the House next month.
First Edition: December 18, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages focus on these health care issues and others.
Opinion writers weigh in on Friday’s ruling that the Health Law is unconstitutional.
Media outlets report on news from Texas, California, Florida, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Maryland, Massachusetts and Kansas.
Minnesota’s Intensive Efforts To Stabilize Health Law Marketplace Pay Off
MNsure just passed its first enrollment deadline on Saturday, and for the second year in a row, rates are declining, access has been largely maintained and enrollments remain steady.
One Way Some Colleges Are Expanding Access To Emergency Contraception? Vending Machines
Many schools offer free or reduced-cost emergency contraception in their student health centers. But campus medical offices or pharmacies aren’t always open when the pills are most needed. Women’s health news comes out of Arkansas and Kentucky, as well.
Although the Trump administration wants to commit $20 million to develop alternative options to using fetal tissue in research, scientists say it is unique. Other news on public health focuses on CRISPR researcher He Jiankui, an increase in homelessness, low-salt diets, palliative care, second-hand smoke, the Marbug virus, a young Ebola survivor, aftershocks of suicides and more.
Although the CDC can’t say what’s causing the trend, researchers note it could be due to memories of last winter’s high death toll.
