Latest KFF Health News Stories
For some, the trial cemented the idea of a link between brain plaques and mental fortitude. But for others, there were enough confusing details in the study to undercut any findings.
While poverty and inadequate access to health care explain part of the racial disparity in maternal deaths, research has shown that the quality of care at hospitals where black women deliver plays a significant role as well. Meanwhile, states looking to improve their maternal deaths rates might want to look at California as a model.
An advocate group is running trials in states to try to prove that allowing women to take the pill at home is safe — under a virtual doctor’s supervision. The group hopes the FDA could eventually loosen restrictions to allow women to take pills mailed to them after the consult. News on abortions comes out of Oregon, Louisiana and Maryland, as well.
Work Requirements Hit The Political Sweet Spot To Allow Red States To Expand Medicaid Programs
Republicans were able to sell the plan to their base and Democrats were appeased by the idea of having more people get coverage. Medicaid news comes out of Arizona and Texas as well.
Politico talked to staffers inside HHS who say reports issued by the agency are so far off widely accepted belief that they’re being mocked and rated as false by independent watchdogs. “It’s just another example of how we’re moving to a post-fact era,” said one.
The Trump administration had worked up to its plan to separate immigrant children at the border, but HHS and DHS had to quickly develop a new one when President Donald Trump abruptly reversed course.
The Possible Price Tag For ‘Medicare For All’: $32.6 Trillion Over 10 Years
A libertarian-leaning policy center ran the numbers for the plan that is gaining momentum with liberal candidates stumping for midterms. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) fired back that the report was grossly misleading. “If every major country on earth can guarantee health care to all, and achieve better health outcomes, while spending substantially less per capita than we do, it is absurd for anyone to suggest that the United States cannot do the same,” he said.
The changes from the newly approved Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie would sideline much of agency’s interim leadership team under acting secretary Peter O’Rourke, who drew unfavorable reviews from lawmakers in both political parties following a dispute with the agency’s inspector general.
The Latest Culprit In The High Drug Price Blame-Game: The Pharmaceutical Rebate
The drug rebate is similar to any other rebate on a product you’re buying — but instead of you getting to keep the money, it’s the insurer or employers who usually reap the benefit. There’s been a lot of movement lately, both from the pharma industry and the White House to eliminate the system. Meanwhile, Democrats are eyeing an unusual ally in their fight to let Medicare negotiate drug prices.
The idea of syncing up the administration of drugs with the body’s circadian rhythms has been relegated to fringe science, but that could be changing. In other public health news: eating disorders, vocal pitch, Ebola, skin infections, dehydration and more.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Anti-Medicaid Crusade Based On Lies; Seniors Suffer While Nursing Home Industry Gains
Opinion writers focus on these and other health issues.
Opinion writers express views on the impact of the zero-tolerance immigration policy.
Research Roundup: Transgender Veterans; Public Spending On Children; And Bundled Payments
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Media outlets report on news from Washington, D.C., Minnesota, Florida, Connecticut, Iowa, Tennessee, Louisiana, Ohio, Florida, New Hampshire and Wyoming.
As Exhausting As Hospice Work Is, These Caregivers Describe Their Roles As Sacred, Deeply Fulfilling
At the nonprofit Hospice of the Western Reserve in Cleveland, which serves 1,200 dying patients daily, many employees and volunteers have great job satisfaction and readily answer a common question: “How do you work here?” In other public health news: Alzheimer’s, HIV outreach, hip replacement research, all-plant burgers, carcinogenic chemicals and racial profiling.
Despite all the national attention the crisis is receiving, deaths related to fentanyl continue to skyrocket. Meanwhile, readers respond to a New York Times piece about the cost of getting sober, with some spending tens of thousands of dollars with others opting to do free 12-step programs.
Doctors order more tests and screenings than necessary because they’re afraid of legal issues if they miss something. Meanwhile, a study finds that millennials have the largest share of medical debt.
Celgene Expected To Rake In $15B This Year With Strength Of Its Blockbuster Cancer Drug
But the company is on the look-out for its next blockbuster as Revlimid will face market competition in coming years. Meanwhile, advocate groups ask for insurance commissioners will investigate the growing use of copay accumulators.
Judge Orders Wisconsin To Pay For Transgender Surgery For Medicaid Recipients
“The likelihood of ongoing, irreparable harm facing these two individual plaintiffs outweighs any marginal impacts on the defendants’ stated concerns regarding public health or limiting costs,” U.S. District Judge William Conley said. In other news, the Trump administration will continue approving work requirement requests, despite a judge blocking Kentucky’s waiver.
