Latest KFF Health News Stories
Research Roundup: Presidential Candidates And Health Reform; Partner Violence; And Alcohol
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Media outlets report on news from Texas, California, Ohio, New York, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Georgia, Arizona and Wisconsin.
Johns Hopkins Evacuates Two Lab Buildings After Release Of Tuberculosis Research Sample
Also, several staffers were isolated after the frozen sample was mistakenly released at the lab, where research is performed on the airborne infection.
Biotech companies who sell genes may be helping unlock cures for diseases, but there’s always the threat that those could end up in the wrong hands. Now the industry is struggling to put protections in place while not impeding progress. In other public health news: breast cancer, obesity, Alzheimer’s, cancer rates, tips on staying cool and more.
Richard Strauss has been accused of fondling athletes during medical exams and ogling naked young men, sometimes showering with them multiple times a day or perching himself on a stool to stare. Meanwhile, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) denies charges that he ignored the allegations while he was an assistant wrestling coach with the university.
Despite Litany Of Red Flags, Purdue Continued To Pursue Profits Over People, Unsealed Lawsuit Claims
The newly unsealed 274-page lawsuit from Tennessee against the opioid-maker provides deeper details about the warning signs Purdue allegedly ignored in pursuit of profits. News on the epidemic comes out of Illinois and Pennsylvania as well.
Insurers are making patients pay a higher portion of the pricey drugs’ costs, but pharmaceutical companies are parrying that move by dramatically raising the financial aid they offer, in the form of “copay assistance” cards.
EPA Report On Dangers Of Formaldehyde To Most Americans Being Deliberately Delayed, Sources Claim
The new assessment on the chemical could lead to greater restrictions and possible class-action lawsuits. “They’re stonewalling every step of the way,” one official said, accusing political appointees of interfering with the formaldehyde assessment and other reports on toxic chemicals.
In Wake Of Court’s Decision On Kentucky’s Work Requirements, Mississippi Tweaks Its Own Waiver
But advocates in Mississippi remain alarmed about the work proposal as the revamped policy could still lead to loss of coverage. More on Medicaid comes out of Kentucky and Nebraska.
HHS Secretary Alex Azar says there have been obstacles to meeting the deadline on returning young children to their parents, but the agency is using DNA to help match the families.
The upcoming fight over the Supreme Court nomination has Democrats walking a fine line of protecting vulnerable seats and not discouraging their revved-up liberal base. Their strategy: make the conversation about both abortion and the health law. For moderate Democrats who can’t defend abortion rights in their red states, they have the ACA as a talking point. Meanwhile, a nominee could be named as early as Monday, but behind-the-scenes sources say President Donald Trump hasn’t settled on a pick yet.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages look at these and other health issues.
Opinion writers express views about how to address the opioid epidemic.
Opinion writers express views on anti-abortion and abortion right movements.
Longer Looks: AIDS Victims; Food Recalls; And The Dangers Of Power
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets report on news from Connecticut, Puerto Rico, Missouri, Maryland, California, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Texas, Florida, Arizona, Ohio, Kansas and Tennessee.
One-Two Punch Of Combining Antibiotics Could Help Combat Ever-Increasing Drug Resistance
With antibiotic drug resistance on the rise, those in the medical field are looking for ways to outsmart bacteria. In other public health news: vaccines, walking drunk, testosterone, exercise, probiotics and more.
Glitches At Embryo Storage Clinics Spark Movement To Increase Oversight Of Facilities
Assisted reproduction is largely self-regulated in the United States, and many lawmakers in the past have shied away from the potentially politically fraught issue. But that may change following a clinic’s mishap earlier this year.
HPV Test More Sensitive To Precancerous Cell Changes Than Widely Used Pap Smear, Study Finds
Most medical groups have been recommending both tests, but now some experts suggest the HPV test alone is sufficient. Almost all cervical cancers are caused by the human papillomavirus.
