Latest KFF Health News Stories
Change To Ban On CDC Gun Research ‘Meaningless’ Without Funding, Researchers Say
Despite a measure in the spending bill that will allow the CDC to study the public health risks associated with guns, top appropriators in Congress say they have no interest in funding new research. With no additional funds, public health experts are pessimistic there will be any changes from the supposed victory.
Administration’s Focus On High-Skilled Immigration Puts Personal Health Care Services In Jeopardy
In 2017, 26 percent of personal care aides and home health aides were foreign born, and as baby boomers age, the demand for workers in the fast-growing field is only going to increase.
Some Transgender Troops Can Continue To Serve Under Trump’s New Policy, But New Recruits Are Banned
Under the new policy, troops who require or have had gender reassignment surgery or those with “gender dysphoria” would be disqualified from service — but with some exceptions. The move was promptly assailed by congressional Democrats and civil rights groups, and legal challenges are all-but certain.
Trump Wants Shulkin Out As VA Continues To Be Rocked By Turmoil And Rebellion, Sources Say
Speculation over Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin’s fate has been simmering for several weeks after a a watchdog report cited inappropriate travel spending. Shulkin has also made waves by accusing those within the agency of trying to undermine him.
With Premiums Likely To Spike Just Before Midterms, Lawmakers Are Bracing For Blame Game Battle
Language on abortion threw a wrench in both sides’ plans to add money to stabilize the marketplace into the sweeping spending bill that Congress passed last week. Now they’ll have to deal with the potential fallout. Meanwhile, some Americans are opting to take a chance they’ll stay healthy over paying astronomical insurance bills.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages highlight these health topics and others.
Research Roundup: Family Caregivers; Medicare ACO Enrollment; High-Flow Oxygen Therapy
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Media outlets report on news from Ohio, Wyoming, Florida, Indiana, Minnesota, Kansas, Tennessee, Maryland, Georgia, Wisconsin and Puerto Rico.
Americans Think Pharma Has More Clout In Washington Than NRA Or Wall Street
A poll finds that while Americans are concerned about drug prices, many don’t have confidence that the current administration will be able to fix high prices.
Bipartisan Group Of Senators ‘Deeply Concerned’ Over CMS’ Oversight Of Way Medicaid Pays For Drugs
The senators asked CMS Administrator Seema Verma if she needs Congress to craft legislation to grant the agency more authority with the end goal of creating more transparency in the pricing.
Idaho To Require Clinics To Report How Many Times A Patient Has Terminated A Pregnancy
The legislation would also require providers collect other personal information about women seeking abortions. The move is part of a nationwide trend to add restrictions to the procedure. Meanwhile, Kansas wants the Supreme Court to overturn a ruling that prevents the state from cutting off Medicaid funds to a Planned Parenthood affiliate.
HHS Official Whose Office Is At Center Of Probe Over Price’s Travel Investigation Resigns
John Bardis, a longtime friend of former HHS secretary Tom Price, did not face any additional accusations over his office approving Price’s charter jet flights.
Country Is Under-Counting Opioid Overdose Deaths By At Least 20 Percent, Study Finds
On a death certificate, coroners and medical examiners often leave out exactly which drug contributed to a death. In other news on the crisis, drugmakers work with federal officials to help combat the epidemic and Republicans push for higher sentencing for trafficking fentanyl.
A Fountain Of Youth In Pill Form? Scientists Say A Supplement Already On The Market Shows Results
“It’s probably not the magic pill everyone is looking for, but it’s one more brick in our efforts to understand aging and health span,” said Dr. Eric Verdin, of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging. In other public health news: pap smears, genome sequencing, omega-6 fatty acids, suicides and art therapy.
‘It’s Going To Look Scary To Politicians’: Students To March In Washington For Gun Control
The March for Our Lives event was created following the mass school shooting in Parkland, Fla. Along with Saturday march in Washington, D.C., more than 800 student-led demonstrations are planned across the United States and internationally. The students, who are in voting-age range, say they want to make gun control a major issue for the 2018 midterm elections.
Insurers Scramble To Regroup After Health Law Stabilization Measures Are Left Out Of Spending Bill
Although some experts thought the measures would do more harm than good to the current marketplace, insurer groups say they’re “discouraged and disheartened.” However, on Thursday, Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas) said there will be a vote on the Republicans’ plan to lower premiums, though he didn’t offer more details.
Congress Staves Off Third Government Shutdown Of Year With Late Night Vote On $1.3T Spending Deal
A measure to stabilize the health law marketplace was not included in the final deal, but medical research, addiction treatment and mental health care won big gains.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Different Takes: Lessons Learned From Teens Wanting Gun Control; Guns Laws Don’t Stop Killers
Opinion writers focus on the public health crisis brought about by gun violence.
