Latest KFF Health News Stories
In all, 11.8 million people signed up for coverage through the marketplaces, down about 400,000 from last year. And while premiums did spike, subsidized consumers are actually paying less because of an odd quirk that came about after the Trump administration cut off payments to insurers.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages focus on these and other health topics.
Perspectives: VA Needs A Good Soldier To Change Dysfunction, Not A Talker At A Podium
Opinion writers express views on President Donald Trump’s selection of Dr. Ronny Jackson to head up the Department of Veteran Affairs.
Media outlets report on news from Nevada, Ohio, D.C., Virginia, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, California, Illinois, Colorado and Texas.
Buying Into The Hype Around Exciting Genetic Technology? Here’s A Gut Check
Stat offers a three-part documentary series that looks back at the roots of three of today’s most promising genetic technologies. In other public health news: racial disparities and infant mortality; antibiotics and allergies; autism friendly destinations; tai chi; food and depression; and more.
Bringing Food To Low-Income Seniors, Disabled People Helps Cut Costly Emergency Visits
As health care costs continue to skyrocket, people have begun looking at other factors that can contribute to people’s overall wellbeing. By catching problems before they escalate, services such a food deliveries can curb expensive trips to the ER.
Vaping ‘Is Our Demon’: Where E-Cigarettes Help Adults Kick A Habit, Students Are Getting Hooked
There’s been an explosion of vaping among high school and middle school students across the country, and advocates worry the devices are creating a new generation of kids addicted to nicotine.
States, Physicians And Others Stepping Up To Fill Gaps In Gun Violence Research
“Unless we understand what’s going on we cannot prevent it,” said Ali Mokdad, professor of global health, epidemiology at the University of Washington School of Public Health.
Availability Of Legal Medical Marijuana Linked To Lower Opioid Prescription Rates
Over-prescribing has played a major role in the opioid epidemic, and some researchers see the findings in recent studies as a way to help curb the crisis.
Right now, a package of two Evzio auto-injectors has a wholesale price of $3,750 — up from $575 in 2014 when the decades-old version of naloxone won regulatory approval. Advocates urge the White House to invoke a law that would allow the government to use the patented invention without permission. In other news on the crisis: the downside of an addiction drug; DEA’s crackdown nets arrests; Justice Department wants in on settlement negotiations with drugmakers; and more.
Popular Gay Dating App Grindr Is Disclosing Its Users’ HIV Status To Outside Companies
The HIV information is sent together with users’ GPS data, phone ID, and email. “The HIV status is linked to all the other information. That’s the main issue,” said Antoine Pultier, a researcher at the Norwegian nonprofit SINTEF, which first identified the issue.
Digital Health Is Expanding At Rapid Speeds — But Is It Improving Patients’ Outcomes?
Experts say it’s important to be critical about what technology is being developed in the health care sphere and not get caught up in the excitement of new innovations.
Medicare Advantage Plans To Get 3.4% Pay Hike In 2019, Well Over Initial Proposal
CMS Administrator Seema Verma says the payment bump reflects higher projections for how much Medicare spending will increase next year.
Even Though Maine Voters OK’d Medicaid Expansion, Governor May Not Submit Application
The deadline to submit a routine application to ensure about $500 million in annual federal funding for expansion is Tuesday. But Gov. Paul LePage (R) has repeatedly said he won’t take any steps to expand Medicaid until lawmakers pay for the program under his terms.
Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) has signed a measure that allows the Iowa Farm Bureau to collaborate with Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield on self-funded “health benefit plans,” which would fall outside the regulation of the health law. Experts say Iowa’s new law is legal and unlikely to draw pushback from the government, potentially creating a model for other states to follow.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages highlight these and other health topics.
Media outlets report on news from Kentucky, Georgia, Ohio, Maryland, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Virginia, Florida, Wisconsin, Missouri, New Jersey and New York.
Report Shows Sewage Leaks Persisted For Months At D.C. Hospital
Staff and contractors at MedStar Washington Hospital Center identified as being responsible for clean up told investigators they were not made aware of a leak in a room where several patients were operated on last July. Media outlets report on hospital news out of Massachusetts, Illinois and Maryland, as well.
