Latest KFF Health News Stories
Editorial writers focus on these health topics and others.
Longer Looks: Algorithms Cutting Health Care, Prisons As Asylums & Health Care Profits
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets report on news from Utah, Iowa, Texas, Kansas, Louisiana, Florida, Arkansas, Connecticut and Colorado.
Connecticut’s Attempts To Institute Individual Mandate Fail To Make It Out Of Committee
However, lawmakers said the prospects for a state individual mandate aren’t dead.
The budget from Gov. Ralph Northam (D-Va.) was almost identical to the one former Gov. Terry McAuliffe proposed in December. The state Legislature has been stuck over what to do about Medicaid expansion.
While Not Breast Cancer, Rise Is Reported In Uncommon Cancer Linked To Breast Implants
The lymphoma, usually curable by surgery alone, is more likely to occur in women with implants that have a textured coating, as opposed to a smooth cover, the FDA said. In other public health news: in-vitro fertilization testing, scanners for neurological disorders, HIV vaccine trials, a resurgence of mumps, liver transplants, fitness and dementia, early Alzheimer’s detection and a bee acupuncture death.
However, according to an HHS spokesperson, the information was simply sent elsewhere as part of an effort to make the website mobile-ready that began in 2016.
The move by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions comes after President Donald Trump released his plan to combat the opioid crisis. The administration’s focus on criminalization as a way to combat the epidemic, though, has raised criticism from justice reform groups and other advocates.
‘Right To Try’ Measure Loosening Experimental Drug Access Sails Through House On Second Attempt
The legislation gives terminal patients a chance to try experimental drugs, but critics say that it undermines patient safety standards without actually increasing access to lifesaving drugs and gives patients “false hope.”
Pharma Industry Dealt Rare Defeat As Congress Leaves ‘Doughnut Hole’ Tweak Out Of Spending Bill
Drugmakers had been hoping Republicans would include a measure that rolls back a policy leaving them on the hook for a bigger percentage of prescription costs for seniors who reach the so-called doughnut hole, which is a gap in Medicare coverage. But one pharmaceutical company scored a win.
The provision is part of a gun package that was added to the sprawling spending deal that congressional lawmakers reached ahead of a Friday shutdown deadline.
HHS Sees Boost In Spending Levels Partly Thanks To Congress’ Pledge To Fight Opioid Epidemic
Media outlets take a look at how the spending bill breaks down for health-related agencies.
Bipartisan Health Law Stabilization Measure Shut Out Of $1.3 Trillion Spending Bill
In the early days of negotiations, there was hope that the legislation would make it into the final budget bill, but anti-abortion language became a deal-breaker for both sides. Lawmakers who worked on the package expressed their disappointment “that an opportunity to lower health insurance rates by up to 40 percent for working Americans has turned into a debate about the mechanics of funding for abortion coverage.”
Prominent AIDS Researcher Named As CDC Chief Despite Concerns Over Misconduct Investigation
Dr. Robert Redfield “has dedicated his entire life to promoting public health and providing compassionate care to his patients,” HHS Secretary Alex Azar said. Critics had spoken out against Redfield over complaints that his work on a high-profile vaccine research more than 20 years ago was flawed — though a probe found no evidence of misconduct — and that he advocated for policies like mandatory patient testing for HIV and for segregating HIV-positive Army soldiers.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages highlight these health topics and others.
Media outlets report on news from Kansas, Ohio, Massachusetts, California, Connecticut, Ohio, Virginia and Georgia.
Kansas Lawmakers Try To Tackle Issue Of Children’s Deaths While In State Custody
The state lawmakers are considering creating a watchdog based outside the state’s child welfare agency, but with access to inside information, as well as taking other steps to address failures in the system.
The problem of hospitals “patient dumping” was spotlighted when the video showing a disoriented woman in just a hospital gown spread on social media. The University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown was cited for violating patient rights and safety rules.
FDA Resumes Focus On Regulating Menthol, Tobacco Flavors That Attract Young People
More than 50 percent of underage smokers reported using menthols, compared with only 36 percent of adult smokers. “The FDA must use the full force of its authority in a scientific and transparent manner to address flavoring issues, especially in regard to youth,” said Chris Hansen of the American Cancer Society.
