Latest KFF Health News Stories
Perspectives: When It Comes To Health Care, Watch What Republicans Do Not What They Say
Editorial pages delve into the complexities of the health law, the marketplaces and what it all means for the elections.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) wrote an opinion piece countering the one from President Donald Trump that attacked Sanders’ “Medicare For All” plan. Other columnists react to the discourse over the issue, as well.
Research Roundup: Residents’ Test Ordering Habits; Housing And Health; And Government Responsibility
Editorial pages focus on these and other health issues.
Tracking Typing Patterns On Smartphones May Give Professionals Insight Into Patients’ Mental Health
For example, a manic episode may be preceded by rising numbers of typos and faster typing. But a host of privacy issues comes along with the technology. In other public health news: air pollution, stem cells, older patients, vision loss, dementia, anxiety and more.
Upswing In Vaccine Skepticism Has Spawned Communities Of Vulnerable Children Over Past Two Decades
The percentage of very young children who haven’t received any vaccination has quadrupled in the past 17 years, a new survey says. But a separate CDC study finds that overall vaccination rates for older, kindergarten-age children continue to hold about steady, with close to 95 percent fully vaccinated.
With the growing popularity of DNA testing sites like 23andMe and Ancestry.com, eventually it won’t even matter if you’ve given a sample or not because a distant relative’s test is enough to wipe out your anonymity.
“The large increases in C-section use – mostly in richer settings for non-medical purposes – are concerning because of the associated risks for women and children,” said Marleen Temmerman, an expert who co-led the research. Meanwhile, a House committee will start to investigate the U.S.’s high maternal mortality rates. And a study finds that childbirth is most dangerous for black women.
A key part of Planned Parenthood’s strategy calls for expanding services in states where abortion is likely to remain legal and accessible, with longer business hours, additional staff and new clinics among the possible steps it will take. Meanwhile, the organization’s next director Dr. Leana Wen reflects on her time as Baltimore’s health commissioner. News on abortion comes out of Kentucky, Oregon, Alabama and West Virginia, as well.
Five New York doctors are charged in connection with the investigation. “Instead of caring for their patients, these doctors were drug dealers in white coats,” said Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States attorney for the Southern District of New York, in a news conference on Thursday.
The practice of lawmakers taking money from the health industries they regulate is not unusual, but the increased scrutiny of the opioid epidemic is drawing attention to these particular donations. News from the upcoming elections comes out of Iowa, California and Massachusetts, as well.
Pfizer To Settle Charges That It Misled Consumers With Drug Coupon Promises
Pfizer will pay $500,000 in penalties, fees, and costs to New York, as well as more than $200,000 in restitution to consumers. The settlement comes amid ongoing controversy over the role that copay coupons play in rising health care costs
Trump Administration Opened Door To Step Therapy And Insurance Giant Plans To Rush In
Step therapy allows insurers to require patients to try cheaper drugs first and see if they fail before moving on to more expensive ones. UnitedHealth has decided to require the method, which is supported by the Trump administration which rolled out new step therapy rules this year. Other pharmaceutical news includes Walgreens’ sales and biotech unicorns.
Hurricane Michael Batters Florida And Georgia Hospitals As Staff Rushes To Ensure Patients’ Safety
When a storm like Michael rapidly intensifies, leaving little advance warning, it can be difficult to organize enough specialized medical transportation and patient beds to evacuate people in time, disaster experts said.
While Trump officials take credit for the dip in premiums, others warn that the numbers are just a small snapshot of the marketplaces and say that rates would have dropped more if not for some of the actions taken by the administration.
First Edition: October 12, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages offer looks at the health law, industry deals, Trump administration moves and more.
Perspectives On Trump’s ‘Medicare For All’ Op-Ed: Sets ‘New Standard’ For Lies
Columnists react to the opinion piece President Donald Trump wrote in USA Today attacking the Democrats’ “Medicare For All” plan.
Longer Looks: Medicaid And The Georgia Election; Rising Health Cost Worries; Timing Your Flu Shot
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets report on news from Minnesota, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Kansas, California, Colorado, Arizona, Louisiana, Wisconsin and Florida.
When Doctors Are Stumped By Rare Cases, They Can Call In These ‘Disease Detectives’
The Undiagnosed Diseases Network, set up by the National Institutes of Health, brings in specialists trained to diagnose mystery symptoms and “the rarest of rare diseases.” In other public health news: ketamine clinics, health apps, ICU dementia, mental illness, food scarcity, immunology and more.
