Latest KFF Health News Stories
Frustrated By Lack Of Research On Gun Violence, Governors Plan To ‘Take Matters Into Our Own Hands’
Seven governors announce that their states will form an “unprecedented” consortium to tap into resources at universities and state agencies to help build up research on gun violence.
Trendy Startups Are Raring To Ride Telemedicine Wave, But Reality Putting Damper On Enthusiasm
Murky state regulations, patients desperate for medication who deceive doctors about their symptoms, and state-level infectious disease agencies and public health departments that have made clear they don’t accept certain information by email are just some of the problems these new startups face.
But the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which has accused the pharmaceutical wholesaler of exacerbating the opioid epidemic, is dismissing the company’s internal investigation findings. In other news on the crisis: Democrats are concerned lawmakers are moving too quickly on bipartisan opioid package; common pain relievers are found to be safer than opioids for controlling dental pain; the FDA concludes a painkiller that’s had a bad reputation for more than a decade is actually safer than previously thought; and more.
Roll Call takes a look at all that’s in store for the program in the upcoming months. Medicaid news comes out of Idaho, New Hampshire and New York, as well.
Simply publishing inflated retail prices, as listed on a hospital’s chargemaster, won’t be helpful to most patients, experts say. And legal professionals say that CMS might even lack the authority to require hospitals to post the charges at all.
While the Senate and House have both passed versions of the legislation, for the measure to reach Trump’s desk, either chamber would have to take up and pass the bill that has already cleared the other. Critics say the measure is unnecessary as well as harmful to patients.
White House Expected To Submit Funding Cuts That Could Upend Hard-Fought Budget Deal
Safety-net programs such as Medicaid and Medicare are expected to be in the Trump administration’s crosshairs. In other news from Capitol Hill: maternal mortality legislation, the Veterans Choice Program, and medical marijuana.
Judge Blocks Cuts To Planned Parenthood Grants Saying HHS Acted ‘Arbitrarily And Capriciously’
In July, HHS informed recipients of 81 teen pregnancy prevention grants that it would terminate their agreements two years early, despite previously seeking competitive bids for a firm to conduct the five-year study.
Older, Sicker Consumers Will Bear Brunt Of Healthier People’s Decision To Go With New ‘Skinny Plans’
If younger and healthier consumers trend toward buying the new limited health plans, insurers will have to figure out a way to pay for the sicker people who are left. The Wall Street Journal explains the dynamics of the possible shift. Meanwhile, Anthem’s earnings jump after scaling back health law coverage.
Ronny Jackson Withdraws From VA Nomination Amid New Allegations Of Misconduct
In addition to concerns over Jackson’s management experience, there were also reports related to his prescribing practices, possible drunken behavior while on duty and overseeing a hostile work place. While taking himself out of the running to lead Veterans Affairs, President Donald Trump’s physician denied all charges: “The allegations against me are completely false and fabricated.”
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages look at these and other health issues.
Opinion writers express views on Dr. Ronny Jackson, President Donald Trump’s nominee to run Veteran Affairs.
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
5 Steps The U.S. Could Take To Rein In Those Skyrocketing Drug Prices
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Media outlets report on news from New Hampshire, California, Texas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Virginia, New York, Missouri, Washington, Massachusetts, Ohio and Maryland.
Researchers Attribute California’s Decline In Gun Deaths To A Reduction Of Gang Violence
Meanwhile in Delaware, the state Senate sent gun-control legislation to Gov. John Carney (D) for his approval. Six states have already passed similar “red flag” laws following the mass shooting in Parkland, Florida.
In the stockpile outside D.C., and in several other places across the country, there are rows of antibiotics including the powerful medication Ciprofloxacin, vaccines for smallpox and anthrax and antivirals for a deadly influenza pandemic. In other public health news: stem cell therapy, kidney disease, broken heart syndrome, rapid-aging disease, and more.
Oregon’s Model Of Caring For Criminally Insane Is Expensive But Also Successful
Over the past five years, the rate of recidivism for those on conditional release in Oregon after a verdict of criminal insanity is 0.47 percent. By comparison, one report put the recidivism rate among all Oregon ex-inmates, whether mentally ill or not, at about 18 percent.
Recycling Donated Organs? Doctor Breaks Taboo Of Re-Using Kidneys In Midst Of Shortage
Dr. Jeffrey Veale is the first surgeon focused on making the re-use of transplanted kidneys routine. “We shouldn’t be discarding these young, healthy kidneys,” he says. In other news, the United Network for Organ Sharing, which has held a tight rein on organ donation in the United States, may be facing competition.
