Latest KFF Health News Stories
Rep. Jim Jordan Pulled Deeper Into Scandal Involving Allegations Against OSU’s Former Team Doctor
A group of former students sue Ohio State University, and specifically name Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) in the case. Jordan maintains that he was not aware of sexual abuse allegations while he was a wrestling coach at the school.
Having 5 Or More Babies Increases Women’s Chance Of Being Diagnosed With Alzheimer’s By 70 Percent
The study also found that women who had experienced one or two incomplete pregnancies were much less likely to develop Alzheimer’s than women who had never been pregnant. In other public health news: study backs up assumptions that children of lesbians have no difference in adulthood than others; CDC warns about another food-related illness; heart failure is on the decline but still more likely to strike women; and more.
Rates from cirrhosis had been on the decline, but then took a sharp turn upward starting in 2009. “Dying from cirrhosis, you never wish this on anybody,” said lead author Elliot Tapper.
A new study on mice found that one injection could provide weeks of relief from chronic pain, though critics warn that it wouldn’t be realistic to frame it as a solution to the opioid crisis. “This is interesting and hopeful; almost too hopeful to be true,” said Dr. Michael Andary, a professor at Michigan State University College. News on the epidemic comes out of Washington, D.C., New Hampshire, Missouri and Kansas, as well.
Gawande To Hit The Road On A Listening Tour As First Step In New Role As CEO
Dr. Atul Gawande has taken up the reigns on the Amazon-JPMorgan Chase-Berkshire Hathaway initiative that aims to lower health care costs in America. As his first order of business, Gawande wants to chat with the people one-on-one to understand the breadth of challenges facing the country. In other health industry news, a few deals and mergers to watch out for.
As Medicare-For-All Movement Builds Steam, House Democrats To Create Official Caucus
The caucus will launch with about 60 members and will be led by Democratic Reps. Pramila Jayapal of Washington, Debbie Dingell of Michigan and Keith Ellison of Minnesota, with more expected to sign on in the coming weeks.
By doing so, CMS aims to show that it is taking the concerns of the court into consideration.
HHS Secretary Alex Azar has become the face — and punching bag — for the immigration crisis. So to continue to push his health agenda for the department, Azar may have to rely on an inner circle of four top advisers.
The reshuffling is just the latest sign of upheaval at the troubled Veterans Affairs agency, which has been roiled with scandal after scandal.
Pharma Companies Have Infiltrated Process That Determines How Their Drugs Are Covered By Taxpayers
An investigation by NPR and the Center for Public Integrity looks at the brazen and sometimes illegal steps the companies take to get their medication on Medicaid’s “preferred drug lists.” In other pharmaceutical news: FDA Chief Scott Gottlieb blasts drugmakers for blocking development of biosimilars; the White House is reviewing a plan to curb drug rebates; a Senate panel will vote on “gag clauses” next week; and more.
Novartis Becomes Second Pharma Company To Pull Back On 2018 Price Increases
Recently, Pfizer was lambasted by President Donald Trump over its price hikes and announced it would roll them back. Novartis, which is dealing with a public relations crisis from its contact with Trump’s personal attorney Michael Cohen, said it is following suit: “We thought that was prudent, given the dynamic environment we’re currently in,” said Chief Executive Vas Narasimhan.
States are taking on more power as the Trump administration and Republicans chip away at federal regulations, leaving the landscape bumpy and uneven. Meanwhile, the National Federation of Independent Business, after lobbying for years, said it won’t set up an association health plan because the new rules laid out by President Donald Trump are unworkable.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers focus on these and other health topics.
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
The Next Big Question Over Amazon’s Foray Into Prescription Drugs: What Will It Do About PBMs?
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Media outlets report on news from Massachusetts, Ohio, Texas, Oklahoma, California, Texas, Puerto Rico, Wisconsin, North Carolina and Missouri.
There’s currently no federal law for schools to test for lead. In other public health news: an Alzheimer’s test, chronic brain injuries, gene-editing, aspirin, vaping, sleep and more.
Study Sheds Light On Need For More Research About Teens’ Smartphone Usage, ADHD Symptoms
The research suggests that there’s at least a casual link, but experts don’t know the extent of the connection.
Trends With Anti-Anxiety Pills Hearken Back To Early Days Of Opioid Crisis
Experts say that not only is overprescribing of “benzos” putting people at risk for dependence, but are also exacerbating overdoses from opioids. News on the drug epidemic comes out of New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Florida, as well.
