Latest KFF Health News Stories
ProPublica’s investigates Chicago facilities, finding suicidal immigrant children and ones dreaming of escape.
For Pregnant Women, Counting Baby’s Number Of Kicks Can Be Difference Between Life And Death
Campaigns geared toward reducing stillborn deaths impress upon to-be-mothers the importance of the baby’s movements while in the womb.
‘It Was Not Even A Close Call’: Judge Blocks Texas’ ‘Catastrophic’ Fetal Burial Law
U.S. District Judge David Ezra said Texas lawmakers who enacted the legislation — which would require hospitals, abortion clinics and other providers to arrange for the burial or cremation of fetal remains regardless of the patients’ wishes — provided no “viable system” for health care providers to dispose of fetal remains in accordance with the law.
The provision would authorize the government to give grants to groups that focus on addiction and substance-abuse disorders, but the only organization that fits the criteria is the Addiction Policy Forum, an advocacy group funded by PhRMA. In other news on the crisis: opioid taxes, skyrocketing fentanyl deaths, treatment alternatives, insurance coverage and more.
The Justice Department has identified some competition concerns over CVS’ acquisition of Aetna, while sources familiar with the situation say that the Cigna-Express deal could be approved without the companies having to sell off any assets.
On the second day of his Supreme Court hearings, nominee Brett Kavanaugh avoided being pinned down on the women’s rights issue, instead talking about the importance of legal precedent. That, however, is not an endorsement. Media outlets offer looks at the top moments of the day.
Judge’s Pointed Questions To Health Law Defenders Over Severability Hints At Which Way Case Will Go
But U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor, a conservative jurist appointed by President George W. Bush, did not immediately rule on an injunction request. Meanwhile, the Trump administration cautioned that an immediate injunction would create “chaos” and asked that, if it’s coming, that it be delayed until the new year.
Tired Of Shortages And High Costs, Hospital Group Launches Company To Make Its Own Drugs
Besides creating a reliable supply for its 500 hospitals, Civica aims to reduce drug prices by about 20 percent. “There are a lot of very principled generic drug makers out there … they have nothing to worry about,” said Dr. Marc Harrison, president and CEO of Intermountain Healthcare. “The folks who are gouging people and creating shortages, they know who they are. And they’re the ones who should be very concerned.”
First Edition: September 6, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Lessons On Cutting Health Care Costs, Changing The Opioid Crisis
Editorial pages focus on these health issues and others.
Editorial comment on Brett Kavanaugh’s effect on the Supreme Court as nominee’s hearings heat up.
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Media outlets report on news from Kansas, California, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Florida, Minnesota, Texas and Virginia.
California Lawmakers Send Nine Gun-Control Measures To Governor, Including Wait Times, Lifetime Bans
The news of the legislation was hailed as far away as Parkland, Fla., the site of February’s school massacre. “If we had these bills in place in Florida, then I would not have had to go through this tragedy and lose some of my friends,” said Sari Kaufman, 16. In other gun news, the Florida commission studying the Parkland shootings is making recommendations to improve school safety.
How Do You Live With Cancer When Its Recurrence Is A ‘When’ Instead Of An ‘If’?
Adam Hayden was diagnosed with glioblastoma more than two-years ago. His doctor told him since the very first day that it will come back, leaving him and his wife to navigate through daily life without knowing how much time they have left. In other public health news: concussions, maternal health, caregiving, exercise, alcohol abuse, and more.
“Just as local governments had to lead during the HIV epidemic, cities like ours will be on the forefront of saving lives in the opioid crisis,” said James Garrow, a spokesman for Philadelphia’s Department of Public Health. Justice Department officials last week promised “swift and aggressive” action against any city that set up such a site. In other news on the crisis: California’s proposed prescription drug take-back law, the opioid package in the Senate, Rudy Giuliani’s connection to Florida’s investigation into OxyContin marketing, and kratom.
French Drugmaker Sanofit Pays $25 Million To Settle SEC Bribery Charges
The Securities And Exchange Commission outlined various ways the company violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in multiple countries and sent a signal it would be monitoring businesses in countries where it’s often difficult to gain sales.
But then a larger hospital in Naples, Fla. derailed those plans by asking the state to deny the proposal, saying that the small, rural hospital would siphon away patients and revenue. “It’s just horribly mean,” Dr. Beau Braden said. Meanwhile, growing consolidation among hospitals and doctors’ practices in California is linked to higher health insurance premiums and higher prices for care.
Comcast Executive Nabbed For COO Position At Amazon-JPMorgan-Berkshire Health Initiative
The initiative from Amazon, JPMorgan Chase and Berkshire Hathaway is recruiting an executive team to help craft solutions to skyrocketing health care costs. The latest hire is Jack Stoddard, who has been credited with bringing an innovative approach at Comcast to employee health.
