Latest KFF Health News Stories
Six Years And Billions Of Dollars Later, Dream Of Watson Being Able To Cure Cancer Is Withering
The supercomputer was supposed to change the way we treat cancer. But it has failed to live up to the hype.
With Few Clinical Trials For Alzheimer’s Drugs Under Way, Neuroligists Cite ‘Urgent Need’
Experts also raise questions about why there isn’t more outrage about the paucity of trials. “There is an element of age discrimination,” neurologist Sam Gandy said, including “the argument that those affected by dementia have already had the opportunity to have long lives.” In other news on Alzheimer’s, Massachusetts’ lawmakers pass the first bill in the nation requires special training for health care workers.
Technology To ‘Turn Off’ Genes Responsible For Trans Fats Exists. But Is It Ready For Prime-Time?
When it comes to altering genes in the food we eat, some experts want to tread carefully while others want to embrace the healthier food. In other public health news: glaucoma, the human cell atlas, c-sections, empathy, family planning apps, growth hormones, depression, online dating and more.
Jury Awards Man With Terminal Cancer $289M In Suit Against Company That Makes Weedkiller Roundup
Dewayne Johnson, 46, is a groundskeeper who used the products during his job. The jury found that Monsanto had failed to warn Johnson of the cancer risks posed by its weedkillers.
First Gene-Silencing Drug Approved By FDA — And It Comes With An Eye-Popping Price Tag
Slicing genes with drugs is the latest in a wave of hot new treatments geared toward fighting diseases in unique ways. But the price on innovation is steep. In other news, the FDA plans to streamline drug safety evaluations and a super PAC goes after Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) over the money she’s taken from the pharmaceutical industry.
Powerful Health Care Players Gear Up To Push Back Against Single-Payer In Case ‘Blue Wave’ Hits Hard
Industry players who usually don’t work together are bonding over the potential push for a single-payer system, which has become a litmus test among progressive Democrats.
The Mar-a-Lago group is led by the reclusive chairman of Marvel Entertainment, Isaac Perlmutter, 75, a longtime friend of Mr. Trump’s and a member of his West Palm Beach golf club. Veterans advocates are worried that the group is going to exert pressure on new VA Secretary Robert Wilkie.
Politico found that in 1 out of 5 states, top public health officials are not subject to any disclosure for financial holdings. This explains why Indiana Surgeon General Jerome Adams’ financial stake in tobacco and pharmaceutical stocks wasn’t publicly known until he was picked for a federal position.
Ground Opposition Against Kavanaugh Sputters As Midterms Take The Spotlight
The fight to block Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh seemed like it was going to be the battle of the year, but Democrats’ political enthusiasm is waning. Meanwhile, Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearings have been set to start Sept. 4.
Short-Term Plans Allowed By Trump Not Being Embraced By State Insurance Commissioners
“These policies are substandard, don’t cover essential health benefits, and consumers at a minimum don’t understand [what they’re buying], and at worse are misled,” California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones said. Health law news comes out of Tennessee, as well.
One in six hospital patients in the United States is now treated in a Catholic facility, but most facilities provide little information on procedures they won’t perform, such as a tubal ligation to prevent further pregnancies.
How A Chris Collins’ Obsession With A Small Australian Biotech Firm Upended His Career
Rep. Chris Collins (R-N.Y.) announced over the weekend that he would not be seeking reelection. Collins faces insider-trading charges following his involvement with Innate Immunotherapeutics, a tiny biotech firm. The New York Times looks at the actions that landed the three-term congressman in legal trouble.
Administration Optimistic It Can Sidestep Judge’s Ruling On Kentucky Medicaid Work Requirements
The judge blocked Kentucky’s attempt to add work requirements to its Medicaid program because officials had failed to consider the estimate that it would cause 95,000 low-income people to lose coverage. Now, Trump administration officials say that if they provide a fuller record showing that they considered the evidence that they’ll be able to move forward.
A Green Card Or Health Care? Possible Trump Proposal Could Make Legal Immigrants Have To Choose
Experts are most worried about the way the rule, which would expand the definition of “public charge,” will affect children’s health. The proposal is set to include: children’s health insurance; Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Plan (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps); Supplemental Nutritional Program for Women, Infants and Children, known as WIC; tax credits for low- to moderate-income families; and housing and transit subsidies.
First Edition: August 13, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Lessons On Rising Obesity Rates; Warning Signs About Driving While Stoned
Opinion writers focus on these health topics and others.
Editorial pages focus on issues centering on health care programs.
Research Roundup: Single Payer; Health Care Sharing Ministries; And Heart Health
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Media outlets report on news from California, New York, Michigan, Kansas, Florida, Ohio, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Texas.
Why Does Spinal Surgery Cost $12,326 At One Hospital And $80,518 At Another In The Same State?
A deep dive into prices at Minnesota’s hospitals reveals wide disparities in what procedures cost, but leaves more questions than answers in its wake.
