Latest KFF Health News Stories
Lessons Learned From Treating Victims Of Boston Marathon Bombing Have Led To Key Medical Advances
“The collective experience in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing was a very positive one in the medical community because there was a lot of crosstalk between military and civilian surgeons,” said Dr. Benjamin Potter, chief of orthopedics at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland. In other public health news: cancer, HIV, embryos, vaccinations, and aging.
Life Expectancy Varies Greatly Among States, But Is Worse In Deprived Areas
Recent improvements could be lost to substance abuse, suicides, obesity and diabetes — conditions that are already driving increases in premature deaths in nearly half the states, according to the study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
The study found that a single severe brain injury increased the risk of later dementia by 35 percent, a mild brain injury increased the risk by 17 percent, and each additional brain injury added to the danger.
The measure that would put the state in charge of setting prices on certain health services is backed by labor unions and patient advocates. But providers are expected to come out strongly against it. Media outlets report on more hospital news out of Texas, Missouri and Massachusetts, as well.
Even With New GOP Support, Virginia Lawmakers See Long Road Ahead To Medicaid Expansion
The lawmakers are returning to work today to kick off a special session devoted to working out the budget. Earlier negotiations were derailed by a stalemate over what to do with the state’s Medicaid program.
The national spotlight has been shined on the issue due to several recent high-profile cases. Brigitte Amiri, an attorney with the ACLU, is at the heart of it all.
AMA Has ‘Grave Concerns’ Over What Doctors See As Arbitrary Limits On Opioids
“Pain is a complex, biopsychosocial phenomenon, and individuals experience pain in different ways,” said Dr. Patrice Harris, the chairwoman of the association’s opioid task force. “The AMA believes that decisions around dosages needs to be left between the patient and the physician.” News on the crisis comes out of New Hampshire and Pennsylvania as well.
There Will Be More ‘Get Out Of Insurance Free’ Cards, And Other Takeaways From New Health Law Rule
Modern Healthcare looks at the highlights of CMS’ final rule on the Affordable Care Act marketplaces.
Veterans Affairs Department Has Tens Of Thousands Of Vacancies It Can’t Fill
“It’s crippling our ability to deliver health care to our vets,” Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) said of the personnel crisis.
Conservatives are using the executive order to push federal health officials to approve pending Medicaid work requirement requests in several other Republican-led states. But many poverty experts say the majority of those receiving help from the government already work if they’re able to do so.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers focus on these and other health topics.
Perspectives: Finally, Virginia Inches Closer To Medicaid Expansion
Opinion writers focus on issues surrounding Medicaid.
Media outlets report on news from Kentucky, Mississippi, Minnesota, Louisiana, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, Arizona, Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, South Dakota, Indiana and California.
Hospital Industry In Texas Urban Areas Soars Under Obamacare, But Rural Patients See Decline In Care
“Rural hospital closures have hit Texas especially hard; it has almost twice as many as the second-most state,” said Mark Holmes, an industry analyst. “Losing the emergency room, labor and delivery, and other critical health care services in addition to hundreds of jobs can be devastating to the community.” Hospital news comes from Maryland, Illinois and Massachusetts, as well.
Flint Children To Undergo In-Depth Health Screenings As Part Of Legal Settlement
The agreement settles a part of a lawsuit that accused education officials of not properly screening and evaluating children in Flint to determine if they needed special education services following the city’s water crisis.
Kaiser Permanente Launches $2 Million, Nationwide Initiative To Research Gun Violence
Kaiser Permanente decided to jump-start its effort because of the huge effect of gun violence on its patients. In other news, officials in Ohio urge lawmakers to pass a “red flag” law to confiscate guns.
Scientists Want To Focus On Actual Brain Changes And Not Memory Loss As Way Of Defining Alzheimer’s
The change would be geared toward providing more objective research. It would also mean many more people will be considered to have Alzheimer’s, because the biological signs can show up 15 to 20 years before symptoms do.
Health Scholars Criticize Medicaid Work Requirements, Saying Policy Contradicts Intent Of Program
The scholars voiced their opinion as part of an amicus brief filed as part of a lawsuit challenging Kentucky’s changes to its Medicaid program.
Under Proposed California Bill, State Would Set Prices For Certain Health Care Services
The measure, which is backed by influential unions and opposed by providers, faces an uphill battle in the state Legislature.
