Latest KFF Health News Stories
Academic workplaces are second only to the military in the rate of sexual harassment, with 58 percent of academic employees indicating they had such experiences, according to one study cited in a sweeping report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Meanwhile, a BIO International Convention party highlights the need for change to spread beyond academic institutions.
Abortion rights advocates call the ruling “extremely troubling.” In other news on women’s reproduction: a poll finds that support for abortion drops during the second trimester, a bill in Congress addresses ways to reduce maternal death rates, and a study looks at the high out-of-pocket costs of having a baby.
Beneath The Large Profits At A Pennsylvania Nursing Home Lay Rampant Neglect
While profits were surging, patients at St. Francis Center for Rehabilitation & Healthcare in Darby, Penn. were suffering from what a state official called “extreme” conditions, including a lack of proper wound treatment and nursing care. Meanwhile, in Florida, in a dispute over death certificates, a judge ruled in favor of the nursing home where residents died following a hurricane.
Massachusetts Becomes First State To Name Purdue Executives Personally In Suit Against Opioid Maker
“It was Purdue’s executives who led and directed this illegal business model, leading to addiction and deception to enrich a few while leaving a path of devastation and destruction in its wake,” said Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey. The state joins others that have turned to the courts to try to combat the opioid epidemic.
Even as lawmakers gear up to consider a sweeping package of opioid bills, some experts are doubtful the legislation will do enough to address the crisis. However, the bipartisan support for the measures speaks to the fact that lawmakers know it’s a winning topic for the upcoming midterms. Meanwhile, NIH has laid out its $500 million plan to combat the epidemic.
Should Insurers Be Able To Deny Emergency Room Claims? Companies Test It Out And Hospitals Are Livid
To cut high health care costs, insurers are slowly starting to look at an area that’s always been off-limits before: emergency room visits. But it’s not going over well with hospitals, doctors or lawmakers.
HHS Secretary Alex Azar testified before a Senate panel on Tuesday about what’s being done to curb high drug prices. In his proposals, Azar focused on the complex system of rebates that drug companies and pharmacy-benefit managers use to negotiate and set prices. He also continued to float the idea of allowing Medicare to negotiate with drug companies.
Democratic lawmakers questioned HHS Secretary Alex Azar about why the Trump administration backed away from defending the health law’s provision that protects people with pre-existing conditions. Azar said the decision was driven by constitutional considerations not policy ones. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) says that “everybody” he knows in the Senate wants to keep pre-existing conditions protections in place.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: One Quick Solution Can Save Lives During Opioid Epidemic
Opinion writers focus on these and other health issues.
Editorial pages examine these health care issues.
Perspectives: Regard Suicide As Medical Problem, Invest In Research
Following the deaths of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, conversation continues around suicide and depression.
Media outlets report on news from California, Ohio, Massachusetts, Missouri and Kansas.
Families Struggle To Find Providers Who Will Accept Low Medicaid Rates For Autism Treatment
Children end up having to wait years to get help. Families have filed a class action lawsuit against South Carolina asserting that the state is violating the law by not providing medically necessary treatment. Medicaid news comes out of Iowa and Ohio, as well.
Private Equity Firm KKR Snaps Up Physician Provider Envision In Massive $5.57B Deal
Envision contracts with hospitals and health systems to provide doctors and clinicians for emergency medicine, anesthesiology and radiology, among other specialties. It also owns 261 surgery centers and a surgical hospital.
Experiments To Cut Health Care Costs Emerge As Corporations’ Frustrations With High Prices Boil Over
From on-campus doctors to plans that are negotiated directly with nearby medical systems, which can earn bonuses for keeping employees healthy, big companies are looking for ways to drive down the huge line item on their budget.
Patients whose vision is improved to 20/20 are considered success stories, but just because they can now see the little letters on the charts doesn’t mean the procedure went off without a hitch. In other public health news: PrEP and HIV; the nationwide DNA research initiative; lobotomies; belly fat; exercise; genetic tests; hunger and irritation; 3D organs; and more.
Anniversary Of Pulse Nightclub Shooting Marked With Rallies For Tighter Gun Restrictions
The death toll from Pulse ranks as the second-most lethal mass shooting in the United States, surpassed only by the 59 lives lost when a gunman opened fire in October 2017 on an outdoor country music festival from a high-rise hotel window in Las Vegas and then killed himself.
Actress, Friend Of Anthony Bourdain’s Partner Calls For ‘Collective Conversation’ About Depression
Also, researchers examining the impact of social media on the mental health of college students report negative experiences increased symptoms of depression.
Although the companies’ stocks took a huge hit, experts “haven’t freaked out” at the findings.
