Latest KFF Health News Stories
36-Year-Old Nurse Charged With Sexual Assault Of Incapacitated Woman Who Gave Birth
“From the minute we first became aware of the crime, we have virtually worked nonstop seven days a week to resolve this case,” Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams said in announcing the arrest Wednesday morning. The case is just one of several high-profile assaults that have brought attention to the quality of care and protection that nursing facilities are providing.
The Heavy Toll Of Fighting The Health Law
Texas is leading the charge against the health law in courts, but it could cost the state billions. And, as of now, there doesn’t seem to be a plan in place if the Republicans win. Meanwhile, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers had to reverse course after saying he directed the state’s attorney general to withdraw from the suit.
A new report has found that the percentage of adults without health insurance climbed to 13.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2018, from 12.4 percent a year earlier and a low of 10.9 percent in 2016.
Media outlets look at how the continued partial government shutdown is felt across the health care industry. Insurers say rule-making delays have left them scrambling to make key decisions about future participation in the ACA’s health-insurance exchanges; funding for Native American health services dwindles; and more consequences.
“We’re going to stop all of it, and it’s very important to me,” President Donald Trump said during a health care roundtable. Surprise billing — the practice of charging patients for care that is more expensive than anticipated or not covered by their insurance — has been regarded as a possible bipartisan issue a divided Congress might tackle.
First Edition: January 24, 2019
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages focus on these health issues and others.
Opinion writers express views about health care reforms.
Media outlets report on news from New York, Oregon, Montana, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, California, Maryland, Ohio, Georgia, Tennessee and New Hampshire.
By Revamping Device Therapy, Tech Companies See New Hope For Trimming Reliance On Opioids
Neuromodulation, which started appearing in the 1960s, works when electricity interrupts pain signals carried to the brain, providing relief to patients. But costs make them impractical for everyone and there are risks involved. In other news on the opioid crisis: Boston’s mayor examines needle exchange programs; Ohio aims to lower HIV rates; Texas website focuses on education; and California doctors cry foul on probe.
Added sugars, typically high in fructose, aren’t discouraged in current health guidelines and can lead to obesity. Other public health news looks at liver disease causes, definitions of toxic masculinity, new insights into MS, a report on black lung disease, benefits of insta-workouts, educating future doctors about LBGTQ issues, protection from Zika and more.
Maine Governor Rejects Medicaid Work Requirements, Saying Mandates Would Be ‘Problematic’
“We believe that the likely result of this 1115 demonstration would leave more Maine people uninsured without improving their participation in the workforce,” Gov. Janet Mills said. The work requirements had been sought by Mills’ predecessor Republican Gov. Paul LePage and were approved just days before he left office. Medicaid news comes out of Georgia and Florida, as well.
In sharp contrast to 2014, mean wait times in 2017 at VA hospitals had gone down to 17.7 days, while rising to 29.8 for private practitioners. In other news on veterans affairs, two U.S. senators seek answers on a veteran’s death in Missouri.
State Judge Strikes Down Iowa’s ‘Fetal Heartbeat’ Law As Unconstitutional
The legislation that would have outlawed abortion as soon as a fetal heartbeat was detected — which is usually at six weeks, often before a woman even realizes she’s pregnant — would have been the most restrictive anti-abortion law in the nation. Meanwhile, in New York, lawmakers pass legislation expanding women’s access to abortions in the state.
Big Jump In Prescription Drug Sales Propels Johnson & Johnson To Strong Fourth-Quarter
But Johnson & Johnson said it expects its sales growth to slow in 2019. Meanwhile, the company has agreed to pay $120 million to resolve claims over deceptive marketing.
Federal prosecutors said Walgreens configured its electronic pharmacy management system to prevent its pharmacists from dispensing less than a full box of five insulin pens, even when patients didn’t need that much. In a second settlement, Walgreens agreed to pay $60 million to settle claims that it overbilled Medicaid by failing to disclose and charge the lower drug prices it offered the public through a discount program.
In Sign Of Increasing Threat Facing Industry, Big Pharma Spent A Record $27.5M On Lobbying In 2018
The lobbying numbers from the pharmaceutical industry’s leading trade group reflect an industry under fire from all sides over its pricing practices, as well as its efforts to roll back changes to a Medicare program. The changes is expected to cost drugmakers as much as $1.9 billion in 2019. Meanwhile, there’s a lot of money going toward influencing drug cost decisions, but it’s not always clear who is behind the groups ponying up the cash.
Rep. Anthony Brown (D-Md.) says he would prefer an outright ban on assault-style weapons, but hopes that the new Democratic majority in the House will push the age-limit proposal through. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court agrees to hear a right-to-carry case coming out of New York. With a potential majority after the confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh, conservatives may have their chance to make a broad ruling, holding, for example, that the right to own a gun means the right to carry one.
Azar Declines House Democrats’ Request To Testify On Trump Administration’s Child Separation Policy
Although HHS offered to have other officials testify, House Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) said Secretary Alex Azar was the best person to testify. “We are going to get him here at some point one way or another,” Pallone said.
How The Shutdown’s Freeze On USDA Funding Is Affecting Rural Hospitals
Low-interest Department of Agriculture loans, delivered through its rural development program, are attractive to rural hospitals that have been economically struggling in recent years. As the shutdown continues, hospitals may have to bear the brunt of getting another loan with higher interest. In other shutdown news: food safety, the FDA, and mental health services for furloughed workers.
