Latest KFF Health News Stories
Medicaid Work Requirement Hearing In Minnesota Draws Emotional Testimony From Advocates
Along with pleas to protect those in vulnerable positions, some opponents to the requirements also spoke of the hundreds of people they would have to hire to handle all the paperwork the change would bring about.
The powerful antipsychotic Seroquel is prescribed “off label” to millions of Americans for an array of ills such as insomnia, agitation in dementia patients, and PTSD, despite medical experts’ warnings that the drug can cause diabetes, heart arrhythmia and movement disorders. In other public health news: cancer, gene editing, saline, depression, smoking and more.
Putting Money Behind Addiction Treatment Programs Won’t Do Much Good Without Trained Professionals
“Until the number of people providing services increase, all you’re doing is creating a backlog,” said Andrew Kessler, who runs the behavioral health policy consulting firm Slingshot Solutions. In other news on the crisis: “Penny-a-pill” legislation faces strong opposition from drugmakers; cooking classes aim to help those in recovery; a study looks at how the epidemic affects black adults; and a look at how to survive addiction.
Will This Youth-Driven Gun Control Movement Fizzle Just ‘Like All The Other Times’?
While some think the push for gun control will fade out of the news like any other story, the teens at the heart of the movement say that won’t happen. “They’re looking for us to get bored,” said Rosie Banks, 17, a high school junior. “We’re not going to get bored.”
Keep Drinking Your Coffee, Public Health Experts Say After Judge’s Cancer Label Warning
The science doesn’t really back up the ruling on California’s law to require a cancer label on coffee. While rodents fed massive amounts of acrylamide do develop cancer, the ones in the study were dosed at rates 1,000 to 10,000 times higher than what humans consume in food.
Massachusetts Wants To Rein In Drug Prices By Limiting What Medications Are Covered By Medicaid
But advocates and drug companies say that would harm patients and be a radical departure from how Medicaid operates now. The decision could have a nationwide impact as states look at ways to bring down spiking drug costs. Meanwhile, a new study supports the industry’s argument that even as list prices rise, net prices are going down with discounts like rebates.
Calif. Attorney General Sues Sutter Health Over Anticompetitive Tactics Linked To Higher Costs
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra alleges Sutter uses a variety of improper strategies, such as gag clauses on prices, “punitively high” out-of-network charges and “all-or-nothing” contract terms that require all of its facilities to be included in insurance networks.
Walmart’s potential entry into the health care landscape is just the latest in a flurry of acquisitions and new players in the industry. Traditional organizations are eyeing the changes warily.
Rejected Study Adds Another Layer To Ethics Questions Over NIH’s Courting Of Alcohol Industry
Stat has an exclusive look at a study that was rejected several years ago about the connection between advertising and underage drinking at the same time NIH was quietly wooing the alcoholic industry to contribute tens of millions of dollars for a study on the benefits of moderate consumption.
Whether Shulkin Resigned Or Was Fired Goes Beyond Bickering — It Could Open Door To Legal Challenges
The Federal Vacancies Reform Act gives the president authority to temporarily fill a vacancy at a federal agency with an acting official if the current office holder “dies, resigns, or is otherwise unable to perform the functions and duties of the office.” But some legal experts note that the law does not explicitly grant that authority to the president in the case of firings. The White House and former VA Secretary David Shulkin have been refuting each other’s claims over what happened.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages focus on these and other health topics.
Opinion writers express views on Dr. Ronny Jackson, the nominee for Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the policies of the department.
Research Roundup: Smoking Cessation, Trends In Infectious Diseases
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Media outlets report on news from Georgia, Kansas, California, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Arizona, Maryland, Michigan and Oregon.
Medically Assisted Suicide Measure Sails Through Hawaii Legislature On Way To Governor
The governor has signaled support for the legislation, and it is likely to make it into law. In other news out of state legislatures: mental health funding, school nurses and surprise medical billing.
Virginia Lawmaker Who Switched Stance On Medicaid Expansion Was Braced For Backlash. It Never Came.
“I’ve been to Republican mass meetings. I’ve been out and about, ballgames, this and that,” Del. Terry Kilgore said. “What I’ve heard people say is, ‘Hey, what you said made sense. We don’t mind helping people if they’re helping themselves.’” Virginia is in the midst of a hot debate over the issue, with the House wanting to expand the program and the Senate refusing to budge. Outlets report on Medicaid and work requirement news out of Minnesota and Colorado, as well.
In many cases there were warning signs from the attackers before the violent outbursts escalated. In other public health news: super-resistant gonorrhea, nutrition guidelines, knuckle-cracking, aging, workplace death, and dementia.
The Opioid Epidemic By The Numbers; Insurers Taking A Role In Fighting The Crisis
Media outlets report on a wide range of issues involving the opioid crisis: from overdose deaths, to treatment, to lawsuits against drugmakers.
Judge Shoots Down Challenge To California Law Requiring Coffee To Carry Cancer Warning Label
The judge said that those challenging the requirement failed to show that the threat from the chemical at the center of the case was insignificant.
