Latest KFF Health News Stories
There are questions about whose bottom-line the new health care initiative founded by Amazon, JPMorgan Chase, and Berkshire Hathaway will benefit despite CEO Dr. Atul Gawande’s reassurances.
In Effort To Increase Transparency, Administration To Require Hospitals To Post Prices Online
Pushing price transparency has been a main goal of the Trump administration’s top health officials. Uncompensated care and Medicare reimbursement rates make the news as well.
Pharma Scores A Victory With New Jersey Supreme Court’s Ruling On Product Liability Litigation
The ruling essentially tightens the rules for what kind of testimony could be used against pharmaceutical companies being sued over allegations that their medications harm patients.
Billionaire Finds Himself At Center Of Contentious Debate Over VA Privatization
Steve Cohen’s organization funded mental health clinics for veterans across the country. The network of facilities has been closely watched by both sides of the debate — to find proof that the private sector can do the job better than the VA or as a way to highlight the dangers of directing taxpayer money to unaccountable private groups.
Ebola Cases Rise In Congo Where War Zone Makes Fighting Deadly Virus An ‘Unprecedented’ Challenge
In a stable region of the country, health officials took months to end the outbreak and now focus on strategies to contain new flare-ups. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization is waiting to find out if the new Ebola outbreak is one for which a vaccination can be used.
Genealogical Sleuthing Sets Scientists On The Trail To Better Understanding Inherited ALS
A small town in Appalachia and a family there could offer clues about the debilitating disease. In other public health news: pregnancy, organ donors, alcohol, soy milk and more.
If Legal Immigrants Used Medicaid They Could Be Denied Green Card Under Proposed Plan From Trump
Under long-standing federal law, a noncitizen can be denied admission or permanent legal status if immigration authorities determine the person is likely to become a “public charge” — that is, someone reliant on government programs. The Trump administration’s proposal would dramatically expand the criteria used to determine whether someone is likely to become a burden.
Lawmakers Turn Up The Heat On Painkiller-Makers In Investigation Of Their Role In Opioid Crisis
The House Energy and Commerce Committee wants Purdue Pharma, Mallinckrodt, and Insys Therapeutics to provide documents about their relationships with doctors and sales reps, among other things. Meanwhile, singer Demi Lovato speaks out about her addiction after being hospitalized for an overdose.
But U.S. District Judge Dana Sabraw also directed the ACLU to create a steering committee to work with the federal government in its efforts to locate the parents. Meanwhile, new numbers show that far fewer parents than the government first reported waived the chance to be back together with their children before being deported.
Just Because Extended Short-Term Plans Are Allowed Doesn’t Mean Insurers Are Ready To Offer Them
With such short notice for the upcoming year, experts predict consumers will see more changes in insurers’ plans in 2019 rather than an immediate rush to make sweeping changes.
Gubernatorial Candidates Banking On ‘Medicare For All’ Enthusiasm Instead Of Playing It Safe
Although the Democratic party is split on whether to champion a progressive idea that could make candidates vulnerable to attack from Republicans, many on the trail are being vocal about their support for “Medicare for All.”
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Powerful Lessons On Depression, Health Hardships For Shelterless Homeless People
Opinion writers express views on these and other health care topics.
Editorial pages focus on the opioid crisis.
Opinion writers express views on the changes facing health care.
Research Roundup: Firearm Injuries; Mortality Among Homeless; And Opioids
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Media outlets report on news from Puerto Rico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, California, Kansas, Massachusetts, Colorado, Florida, Oregon, Iowa and Illinois.
The bill’s sponsor says medical marijuana is often necessary for children with debilitating conditions to be able to attend school. News on marijuana also comes out of New York, Oregon, Colorado and Missouri.
‘I Heard The Screams, The Horrific Screams’: Woman Says She Was Given C-Section Without Anesthesia
The lawsuit claims that the anesthesiologist wasn’t responding quickly enough, so the hospital started on the emergency procedure anyway. The woman passed out from the pain, and her baby was delivered successfully.
Samples that are stripped of any identifying details are extremely lucrative to pharmaceutical companies and other medical organizations, but the consumers have no way of knowing when their data is used. In other public health news: birth defects, Ebola, scooter injuries, brain surgery, and more.
