Latest KFF Health News Stories
‘Vaginal Rejuvenation’ Treatments Are Dangerous And Deceptive, FDA Warns
“We are deeply concerned women are being harmed,” FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said. The laser devices used to perform the rejuvenations have been approved for some conditions such as cancer or warts. But companies are marketing them for other procedures, as well.
A study estimates that the “Medicare for All” plan, proposed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), would cost the government $32.6 trillion over 10 years. While some experts say that’s too high to consider, others argue that the nation’s spending would be about the same in aggregate as the current system, while covering the entire population.
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) was tight-lipped after the two-hour meeting, saying he’s still undecided. But Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh did secure the vote of Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), one of the few Republicans who appeared to waver over the nomination.
Parents report that once-carefree kids are now quiet and scared. Some cry uncontrollably or suffer panic attacks and hide behind furniture when visitors come into the house, others are playacting as ICE border patrol officers. Many of them are changed from who their parents say they were before they were taken into custody. Meanwhile, lawmakers are demanding answers from federal immigration officials, and a judge has ordered the transfer of all undocumented minors from a detention facility due to allegations of abuse.
Some governors, as well as health officials in the Trump administration, are pushing to allow partial expansion of states’ Medicaid program so that they can control it rather than be subject to ballot initiatives going for full expansion. But several top advisers for the White House aren’t convinced it’s the way to go.
Wilkie Inherits A VA Embroiled In Scandal, Political Infighting And Personnel Upheavals
Robert Wilkie was sworn in as Veterans Affairs secretary on Monday, and has a lot on his plate as he takes over the troubled agency. “I am humbled by the prospect of serving those who have borne the battle, those American men and women who have sacrificed so much,” Wilkie said. “I look forward to this great adventure.”
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Lessons On The Opioid Epidemic, Caesarean Risks
Opinion writers express views on these and other health topics.
Editorial pages focus on these and other health care cost issues.
Media outlets report on news from Wisconsin, Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio, Massachusetts, Georgia, Virginia, Colorado, California, Tennessee and Iowa.
While two-thirds of the voters support the proposal, the Mormon Church leaders joined a group of doctors to say the initiative “would compromise the health and safety of Utah communities.” News on marijuana comes from Washington, D.C. and Florida, also.
“There was this leap to opioids, either in perception of patient expectations or to meet patient expectations,” said a leader of the study, Kit Delgado of the University of Pennsylvania.
For some, the trial cemented the idea of a link between brain plaques and mental fortitude. But for others, there were enough confusing details in the study to undercut any findings.
While poverty and inadequate access to health care explain part of the racial disparity in maternal deaths, research has shown that the quality of care at hospitals where black women deliver plays a significant role as well. Meanwhile, states looking to improve their maternal deaths rates might want to look at California as a model.
An advocate group is running trials in states to try to prove that allowing women to take the pill at home is safe — under a virtual doctor’s supervision. The group hopes the FDA could eventually loosen restrictions to allow women to take pills mailed to them after the consult. News on abortions comes out of Oregon, Louisiana and Maryland, as well.
Work Requirements Hit The Political Sweet Spot To Allow Red States To Expand Medicaid Programs
Republicans were able to sell the plan to their base and Democrats were appeased by the idea of having more people get coverage. Medicaid news comes out of Arizona and Texas as well.
Politico talked to staffers inside HHS who say reports issued by the agency are so far off widely accepted belief that they’re being mocked and rated as false by independent watchdogs. “It’s just another example of how we’re moving to a post-fact era,” said one.
The Trump administration had worked up to its plan to separate immigrant children at the border, but HHS and DHS had to quickly develop a new one when President Donald Trump abruptly reversed course.
The Possible Price Tag For ‘Medicare For All’: $32.6 Trillion Over 10 Years
A libertarian-leaning policy center ran the numbers for the plan that is gaining momentum with liberal candidates stumping for midterms. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) fired back that the report was grossly misleading. “If every major country on earth can guarantee health care to all, and achieve better health outcomes, while spending substantially less per capita than we do, it is absurd for anyone to suggest that the United States cannot do the same,” he said.
The changes from the newly approved Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie would sideline much of agency’s interim leadership team under acting secretary Peter O’Rourke, who drew unfavorable reviews from lawmakers in both political parties following a dispute with the agency’s inspector general.
