Latest KFF Health News Stories
Scientists Looking To Better Orchestrate Those Happy Accidents That Lead To Groundbreaking Drugs
Sometimes it’s a medication’s side effects that end up being the most beneficial and profitable, and researchers don’t want to just rely on luck anymore to discover those unforeseen purposes for the drugs. Meanwhile, activists in Massachusetts are calling for more affordable insulin, and a look at the EpiPen shortage.
Apart From A Few ‘Sacrificial Lambs,’ Pharma Emerges From Trump’s Speech Largely Unscathed
President Donald Trump’s long-anticipated speech on curbing drug prices focused on reducing inefficiencies in the current system, rather than taking swings at pharmaceutical companies. Trump had a few barbs for the industry, noting that “the drug lobby is making an absolute fortune at the expense of customers,” but the only proposal that specifically dealt with prescription drug pricing was a suggestion that a treatment’s cost be disclosed in its advertisements.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers focus on these and other health topics.
The Opioid Crisis: We Shouldn’t Have To Ration Anti-Overdose Medication In Midst Of An Epidemic
Writers offer perspectives on the opioid crisis.
As Mother’s Day approaches, columnists offer their opinions on women’s health care.
Research Roundup: Pain Management; Zika Testing In Blood Donations
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Media outlets report on news from Massachusetts, Colorado, North Carolina, California, Missouri, Indiana, Florida, Oregon, Wisconsin, Iowa, Wyoming, Louisiana, Arizona and Pennsylvania.
Law Enforcement Often Bearing Weight Of Failed Mental Health Systems
The Des Moines Register examines Iowa’s mental health crisis and where law enforcement is having to step in to fill the gaps the system has created.
No one should ever “second-guess” themselves if they think they are experiencing the symptoms of a heart attack. Along with chest pain and fatigue, symptoms can include neck, jaw, back or abdominal pain.
The improvements are more subtle than early visions of AI curing cancer, but experts say changes are benefiting patients. In other public health news: cancer drugs, anxiety, e-cigarettes, fatal falls, kidney stones, and more.
“The big takeaway is we need more research, plain and simple,” said Dr. Ilana Braun of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, who led the study published Thursday in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Global Health Security Team Disbanded After Departure Of Official Overseeing Pandemic Preparedness
The moves come at a time when experts are already warning that the country is underprepared to handle a major public health crisis.
Feeling Marginalized In Massive Opioid Lawsuit, Native Americans Request Own Day In Court
Native American tribes are among those the opioid epidemic has hit the hardest, though scant attention has been paid to how the crisis is ripping through their communities. At least 20 tribes have formally sued opioid manufacturers and distributors, with at least 10 more suits expected to be filed soon. In other news on the crisis: discarded syringes; staffing shortages’ effects on regulating opioids coming into the country; the impact of the epidemic on rural communities; and more.
New enthusiasm for adding work requirements to states’ Medicaid program is running headlong into Native American rights. HHS’ legal office has made the judgment that exempting Native Americans from the rules would be an illegal racial preference. But some other agency officials and Republicans in Congress don’t share that view. Meanwhile, one GOP lawmaker is calling for mandatory work requirements for all Medicaid beneficiaries.
Tennessee Bill Will Allow Drug Companies To Market Their Products For Off-Label Uses
Pharmaceutical companies traditionally have been restricted from distributing information about off-label uses to doctors, which they say is a violation of free speech. Critics, however, are worried that more freedom for the drugmakers could jeopardize patient safety.
More details are emerging over what the drug company paid to try to gain insight into President Donald Trump’s health strategy. CEO Vasant Narasimhan wrote to employees that he understood they felt “disappointed and frustrated.”
Short-Term Plans Are Same Ones Obama Had For Eight Years, HHS Secretary Says In Face Of Criticism
Democrats say the Trump administration’s proposal to extend short-term plans will weaken the marketplace by allowing healthy people to buy coverage that’s not compliant with the health law. But HHS Secretary Alex Azar says it’s just returning to a status quo that only changed in 2017. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump hints the White House has some “great health plans” coming out in the next few weeks, but didn’t go into details.
Proposals In Trump’s Long-Awaited Speech On Curbing Drug Prices Only Expected To Have Modest Impact
President Donald Trump is expected to focus on pharmacy benefit managers, foreign governments and generic drugs in his speech today. He’s reportedly backed away from a campaign talking point on allowing Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices. Critics have been quick to point out that the proposals will do little to rock the pharma industry, which Trump once claimed was “getting away with murder.”
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
