Latest KFF Health News Stories
The administration released the final rule on Wednesday expanding the amount of time people can be covered under the plans. But they’re less expensive for a reason. “We make no representation that it’s equivalent coverage,” said James Parker, a senior adviser to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar. Insurers and analysts are worried that the plans will attract healthier consumers away from plans that meet the guarantees of the Affordable Care Act, driving premiums up for the rest of the marketplace.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers weigh in on these and other health topics.
Media outlets report on news from Washington, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Iowa, California, Oregon, Missouri and Minnesota.
Palliative Sedation May Serve As Loophole For Places Where Aid-In-Dying Remains Illegal
The practice involves giving patients enough sedatives to induce unconsciousness. Often, it’s enough so that they never wake up. In other public health news: the flu, e-cigarettes, voices, gene therapy, raw centipedes, and more.
Defense Distributed is being allowed by the State Department to offer up blueprints for manufacturing a plastic gun using a 3D printer. Industry experts say it’s doubtful criminals would go to the trouble of procuring weapons that way when it’s easy to get a gun, but critics contend that it’s an imminent public health threat.
Without Opioids For Back Pain, Patients Explore Dangerous Treatment Banned In Other Countries
Pfizer, faced with hundreds of complaints related to the injections of Depo-Medrol, asked the FDA to ban its treatment five years ago, citing risk of blindness, stroke, paralysis and death. The FDA declined to issue a ban. Also on the opioid epidemic, there’s news on prescription drug monitoring and lawmakers’ objections to the federal government’s decision to withhold millions to fight the public health crisis.
The report from the Office of Inspector General at HHS raises concerns that some hospices are milking the system by skimping on services while taking in daily Medicare payments.
‘Vaginal Rejuvenation’ Treatments Are Dangerous And Deceptive, FDA Warns
“We are deeply concerned women are being harmed,” FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said. The laser devices used to perform the rejuvenations have been approved for some conditions such as cancer or warts. But companies are marketing them for other procedures, as well.
A study estimates that the “Medicare for All” plan, proposed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), would cost the government $32.6 trillion over 10 years. While some experts say that’s too high to consider, others argue that the nation’s spending would be about the same in aggregate as the current system, while covering the entire population.
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) was tight-lipped after the two-hour meeting, saying he’s still undecided. But Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh did secure the vote of Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), one of the few Republicans who appeared to waver over the nomination.
Parents report that once-carefree kids are now quiet and scared. Some cry uncontrollably or suffer panic attacks and hide behind furniture when visitors come into the house, others are playacting as ICE border patrol officers. Many of them are changed from who their parents say they were before they were taken into custody. Meanwhile, lawmakers are demanding answers from federal immigration officials, and a judge has ordered the transfer of all undocumented minors from a detention facility due to allegations of abuse.
Some governors, as well as health officials in the Trump administration, are pushing to allow partial expansion of states’ Medicaid program so that they can control it rather than be subject to ballot initiatives going for full expansion. But several top advisers for the White House aren’t convinced it’s the way to go.
Wilkie Inherits A VA Embroiled In Scandal, Political Infighting And Personnel Upheavals
Robert Wilkie was sworn in as Veterans Affairs secretary on Monday, and has a lot on his plate as he takes over the troubled agency. “I am humbled by the prospect of serving those who have borne the battle, those American men and women who have sacrificed so much,” Wilkie said. “I look forward to this great adventure.”
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Lessons On The Opioid Epidemic, Caesarean Risks
Opinion writers express views on these and other health topics.
Editorial pages focus on these and other health care cost issues.
Media outlets report on news from Wisconsin, Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio, Massachusetts, Georgia, Virginia, Colorado, California, Tennessee and Iowa.
While two-thirds of the voters support the proposal, the Mormon Church leaders joined a group of doctors to say the initiative “would compromise the health and safety of Utah communities.” News on marijuana comes from Washington, D.C. and Florida, also.
“There was this leap to opioids, either in perception of patient expectations or to meet patient expectations,” said a leader of the study, Kit Delgado of the University of Pennsylvania.
