Latest KFF Health News Stories
Study: Women Who Are Early Risers Have Lower Risk Of Breast Cancer
A team of UK researchers found that women who wake up early have a 40 to 48 percent reduced risk of developing breast cancer. In other public health news: why you should get your flu shot now; U2’s Bono thanks Congress for maintaining AIDS funding; an exploration of the brain’s working memory; and more.
Health Officials, Doctors Struggle To Explain Rise In Cases Of Polio-Like Illness
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified 80 confirmed cases of acute flaccid myelitis, or AFM, that mostly affects children. This represents the illness’ third nationwide peak since 2014. And, cases of measles are also spiking.
Otis Brawley, A Cancer Society Executive, Resigns; Fundraising Partnerships Partly To Blame
After 11 years with the American Cancer Society, Brawley, an executive vice president and chief medical officer, left his post late last week. And look who’s in the top spot at Families USA.
Insys Planning To Sell Off Opioid-Related Assets, Following Settlement In Federal Investigation
Potential sell-off plans include Insys’ Subsys, a mouth-spray version of the fentanyl painkiller, and formulations of buprenorphine. In other pharma news, the FDA continues to find quality control problems at Akorn manufacturing plants.
Ark. Planned Parenthood Says It’s Now In Compliance With Disputed Abortion Pill Law
After losing its challenge in court, Planned Parenthood says it has contracted with a physician who has admitting privileges at a hospital, so is now in compliance with a new Arkansas law requiring such a partnership in order to provide abortion pills. Meanwhile, in Texas, a court heard arguments in Texas’ efforts to ban a common second-trimester abortion procedure.
Fla. Authorities Shut Down ‘Deceptive’ Health Plan
The health insurer allegedly used aggressive tactics to sell sham plans — one of which was named TrumpCare — that skirt the requirements of the Affordable Care Act, leaving people around the country with skimpier coverage than they expected and liable for unpaid medical bills. And, as Obamacare open enrollment continues, news outlets offer tips for finding the right coverage and news about new options.
Voters Across The Country Will Weigh Health-Related Ballot Questions
The issues in play range from Medicaid expansion to marijuana legalization and soda taxes.
Drugmakers Switch Gears This Year With Big Bankroll For Democrats
Pharmaceutical companies have contributed heavily to candidates, with 63 percent of their donations going to Democrats, Stat reports. And in other election-related news, KHN explains the “Medicare-for-all” buzz. Plus, how anti-vaccine supporters are backing candidates and a look at where the Georgia gubernatorial candidates stand on health issues.
Will Health Issues Swing The Elections? The Big Day Is Here
Candidates’ messaging, campaign ads, and polls have all indicated that health care is one of the most important issues to voters in this year’s midterm contests. Tonight’s results will start to reveal if that narrative proves true. Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and President Donald Trump offers closing campaign arguments to their parties and key constituents.
First Edition: November 6, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers weigh in on these health topics and others.
Editorial pages focus on how health care will be impacted by the midterm elections.
Media outlets report on news from Virginia, California, Nevada, Georgia, Maryland, Kansas, Michigan and Illinois.
The Senate report says that state and federal officials must do more to improve safety at nursing homes, while the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services argues that new rules help clarify emergency procedures. In other nursing home news, Synergy Health Centers announces that it will close two of its 10 Massachusetts facilities.
Wyoming Hospitals And Doctors Encouraged By State To Provide Free Care To Low-Income Patients
Under Wyoming’s Volunteer Health Services Program, participating medical providers that provide free health services are shielded from liability. In other industry news, Georgia Health News continues its series on the challenges facing foreign-born doctors in the U.S.
Outlets report on a range of public health developments, including the latest on Juul e-cigarettes, diabetes, and the intersection of exercise and weight loss, just to name a few.
Texas Businessman Offers $2M Prize For Finding The Key To Alzheimer’s In Existing Research
Meanwhile, in other news, the Washington Post reports on an effort in California to equip people with Alzheimer’s, dementia or autism — potential wanderers — with trackable bracelets that can be activated by search crews.
Reports Shed Light On How Daylight Savings Time Creates Problems At Hospitals, In Our Brains
“Falling back” an hour causes glitches in Epic Systems, the electronic record system used by some hospitals, requiring them to fall back on paper records during the time change. Other problems with the time change include interrupted sleep patterns and other health hazards.
FDA OKs Strong Opioid Pill Ten Times Stronger Than Fentanyl Despite Abuse Concerns
Health experts said the pill isn’t needed and will only worsen the opioid epidemic. The FDA endorsed Dsuvia, which can be applied once under the tongue and benefit soldiers on the battlefield where IVs can be impractical. Other news on opioids focuses on the FDA’s armed hunt for counterfeit drugs and the continued threat of fentanyl and heroin.
It’s Almost Time To Vote … Experts Opine About How It’s All Played Out, What Could Happen Next
Polls will open for the midterm elections in less than 24 hours. Already there’s an effort to look at how the health care debate has unfolded — fact-checking statements, measuring what people understand about catch phrases such as Medicare-for-all, handicapping what might happen to Obamacare if the GOP retains control of the House and Senate, and predicting how the health care sector might come out in the end.
