Latest KFF Health News Stories
Lack Of Cohesive National Health Records Database Stymies Cancer Research
The Dana Farber Cancer Institute has invested millions of dollars into determining the genetic sequences of patients’ tumors, but until patients’ medical records are linked to the genetic data, life-or-death questions cannot be answered.
Chinese Hospital Told Woman She Had To Pay Charges Before She Was Allowed To See Her Twin Babies
Although China now has near universal coverage, for those who lack insurance, the system can make you pay up front before you get treatment. In other international news: the World Health Organization has named certain lab tests as “essential,” and Ebola’s death toll continues to grow.
Is New York City Ready For Supervised Injection Sites For Heroin Users?
As New York mulls supervised injection sites, officials can look to Canada for a real-life example of how the idea plays out beyond theoretical discussions. And in other news on the national drug crisis: elder abuse; and death rates may have crested in Ohio.
EHR Vendor Epic Nets Supreme Court Victory In Workers’ Arbitration Case
The court ruled that businesses can block employees from joining together to file claims for wage theft and other work-related violations. “The virtues Congress originally saw in arbitration, its speed and simplicity and inexpensiveness, would be shorn away and arbitration would wind up looking like the litigation it was meant to displace” if workers gathered their complaints under class action lawsuits, Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote for the court.
While CMS has been encouraging states to request waivers from some federal restrictions on their Medicaid program, recent decisions by CMS Administrator Seema Verma indicate that not every plan will get a green light. Meanwhile, the White House’s rescissions plan faces a make-or-break moment on Tuesday. And Medicaid news comes out of Virginia and Iowa, as well.
Dr. George Tyndall has been accused of inappropriate behavior under the guise of medical exams. USC acknowledges that administrators had reports about misconduct by Tyndall dating back to at least the early 2000s.
Uninsured Rate Remains Basically Flat Despite Republicans’ Attempts To Chip Away At Health Law
The numbers from the government survey suggest a surprising resilience of the health law and its expansion of insurance coverage.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers focus on topics surrounding the opioid epidemic.
Opinion writers focus on these health care topics and others:
Editorial pages look at these and other health care issues in the news.
Media outlets report on news from Virginia, Iowa, Washington, California, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Georgia.
Future Of Medical Marijuana Remains Uncertain In Missouri As Bill Dies In Committee
Now, the state’s voters will get to weigh in on the issue at the voting booth in November. Also, the latest developments on marijuana from Michigan and Colorado.
Concerns Rise As California Hospitals Provide Few Details Following Crash Of Information System
While Sutter Health executive officer Sarah Krevans says everyone was provided “high-quality, safe patient care,” during the outage, patients, doctors and nurses describe a different picture. More hospital news is reported out of Illinois, Washington and Texas, also.
Incoming NRA Chief Blames School Shootings On ‘Youngsters Who Are Steeped In A Culture Of Violence’
Oliver North, the new National Rifle Association president, also said the problem could stem from the many young boys who have “been on Ritalin” since their early childhood, and recommended that schools focus on “fortifying” their campuses. Meanwhile, the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center made a plea for blood donations to help the victims of last week’s Texas school shooting. Also, in related news, the St. Louis Post Dispatch reports on the range of gunshot injuries seen at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
‘Watch And Wait’ Is Tough For Cancer Patients But More Are Opting For Treatment Option, Study Finds
With the harsh side effects of cancer medicines, and a growing concern over overtreatment, a strategy of “watchful waiting” — which includes regular blood tests, scans and doctor visits — can be the right approach to some cases.
Netflix Series ’13 Reasons Why’ Returns But With New Emphasis On Suicide Prevention Efforts
Some critics of the series, which showed a suicide and sexual assault in graphic detail, blame the first season for glamorizing suicide.
Among Surgery’s Potential Complications For Older Patients: Cognitive Losses
The Washington Post reports on this condition, which is known as post-operative cognitive decline. Though symptoms present in many ways, patients who experience it often face memory problems, difficulty multitasking, learning new things and setting priorities. Also in the news, the New York Times offers some tips on how to age well and stay at home.
Health And Wellness Roundup: Hope For Migraine Sufferers; And What About That Numb Thumb?
Media outlets also report on the changing zeitgeist about the dangers of mothers sleeping with their infants and how barbershops may offer a teaching opportunity regarding heart disease, among other topics.
For people who can’t afford addiction treatment, rehab centers sometimes offer another option: work in exchange for care. But Reveal investigations have found instances of abuse and exploitation at some programs. The latest is Recovery Connections Community outside of Asheville, N.C. In other news on the national drug epidemic: the behavioral health care shortage and a Massachusetts program increases access to medication-assisted treatment.
