Latest KFF Health News Stories
Media outlets report on news from Connecticut, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Vermont, California, D.C., Wisconsin, Georgia, Ohio, Colorado and Kansas.
Research Roundup: Tuberculosis; Heart Health; And Spinal Cord Injuries
Editorial pages focus on these and other health issues.
How CTE Unraveled The Life Of A Young Football Player
When Daniel Te’o-Nesheim was young he loved football. Once he joined the pros he started showing early symptoms of CTE, a neurological disease found in athletes who play the sport. In other public health news: depression, caffeine, back pain, clinical trials, cannabis drugs, and more.
While a similar ruling in Texas was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2016 because it would place undue burdens on women, the Louisiana appeals court ruling said no there is no evidence any clinics will close because of the provision. Opponents claim it’s very hard to get admitting privileges. News on women’s reproductive health comes out of Georgia, Texas and California, also.
The push is part of a renewed focus on medication-assisted treatment for those addicted to opioids. It’s often hard for patients to find a doctor who is able to prescribe the necessary drugs. Meanwhile, in Congress’ sweeping opioid package is a provision to shield people who are trying to buy cheaper, needed prescription medication from other countries. More news on the drug crisis comes from Massachusetts, Ohio, North Carolina and Kansas, as well.
Aetna To Sell Medicare Part D Business As Step Forward In Deal With CVS
Industry experts say regulators may have been concerned about a Medicare business overlap between Aetna and CVS.
The work requirements have drawn criticism after more than 4,000 Arkansas residents lost Medicaid coverage after three months of failing to report their hours. CMS Administrator Seema Verma once again touted the number of people who found work underneath the rules, and said the government would continue monitoring the data closely going forward. Meanwhile, the battle over Medicaid expansion continues to play out in Maine and a study looks at the effects of expansion for rural residents.
The marketplace is getting stronger and next year’s premiums are not expected to be as shockingly high as previous years. While HHS Secretary Alex Azar credits that success to President Donald Trump’s policies, other experts say that it’s because states’ insurance departments have been working to blunt the attacks to the law. Meanwhile, Azar took a swing at Democrats’ “Medicare for All” plan, saying it’s too good to be true.
Judiciary Committee Set To Vote On Kavanaugh Following Emotional, Heated Hearing That Riveted Nation
It’s unclear whether Republicans have the votes to get Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh through following the fireworks of Thursday’s hearing, but the votes are set both for the committee and the full Senate, with procedural votes on Saturday and Monday and a final confirmation vote on Tuesday. Meanwhile, experts dig into the psychological trauma of sexual assault and Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony.
Surgeon General: It’s ‘A Social Responsibility To Get Vaccinated’ For The Flu
Health officials are urging everyone get a flu shot this year. “I’m tired of hearing people say, ‘Well, I didn’t get sick and I didn’t get the flu shot.’ Or, ‘I don’t like it, my arm hurts,’” said Jerome Adams, U.S. Surgeon General. “Those 80,000 people who died last year from the flu, guess what? They got the flu from someone.”
First Edition: September 28, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Perspectives: #WhyIDidn’tReport: Rape Culture ‘Very Much At Play’ In America Today
Opinion writers weigh in on the complicated issue of reporting sexual assault.
Editorial pages focus on these health topics and others.
Opinion writers express views on health care.
Longer Looks: What Causes Sexual Assault; The Plan To End Measles; And A Food Science Crisis
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets report on news from Massachusetts, D.C., Texas, North Carolina, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, California, Connecticut and Virginia.
Because it primarily afflicts poor people in poor countries, research around the disease, called CKDu, has been spotty. In other public health news: tuberculosis, cancer, gender, toxins, food safety and more.
Many gun control advocates point to Australia’s laws that were enacted after a mass shooting in the 1990s as a model for America to follow. But mass shootings account for only a small fraction of firearm-related deaths in the U.S., with most coming from suicide or simple homicide. Neither of those kinds of deaths fell in Australia. News on gun safety comes out of California, also.
Suicide Rates For Young Veterans Jump Despite Efforts To Address Problem
“This isn’t just alarming. It’s a national emergency that requires immediate action,” said Joe Chenelly, the executive director of the national veterans group Amvets.
The law, which is likely to be finalized soon, builds on current requirements that pharmaceutical companies disclose gifts and payments to physicians. The policy would be expanded to account for gifts given to nurse practitioners and physician assistants, as well as clinical nurse specialists, nurse-anesthetists, and nurse-midwives.
