Latest KFF Health News Stories
Midwives Are Rare In U.S., But Empowering Them Could Significantly Boost Maternal, Infant Health
A new study found states that have done the most to integrate midwives into their health care systems — including Washington, New Mexico and Oregon — have some of the best outcomes for mothers and babies.
A Month On The Job And HHS Secretary Is Already Lowering Drug Prices, According To Trump
HHS Secretary Alex Azar is “setting the world on fire,” President Donald Trump said. Although Azar has signaled that drug prices are a priority, he’s not yet taken dramatic action on the subject. Meanwhile, an Illinois state lawmaker has introduced legislation intended to stop price-gouging on generic drugs.
Bloomberg Businessweek takes a closer look at the health initiative being launched by Jeff Bezos’ Amazon, Jamie Dimon’s JPMorgan Chase and Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway.
Virginia House, Senate On Collision Course Over Medicaid Expansion
After House Republicans abandoned their years-long opposition to expansion, the lower chamber included it in its proposed budget. In the Senate, though, GOP lawmakers have not softened their stance. Outlets report on Medicaid news out of Kansas and Montana, as well.
House Lawmakers To Begin Big Push On Tackling Opioid Crisis With Hearings Starting Next Week
The policies that lawmakers will examine include updating scheduling guidelines to help clamp down on synthetic opioids, letting hospice workers dispose of unused drugs, expanding access to behavioral health telemedicine in rural areas, and more. Meanwhile, a news study finds some states simply don’t have enough doctors to properly address the epidemic.
In Political Reversal, Wisconsin Governor Campaigns On Plan To Prop Up Health Law
Gov. Scott Walker, once an ardent opponent to the Affordable Care Act, is now touting his reinsurance plan that would help stabilize the marketplace for the state. In a politically charged year where health care is front of mind, experts see it as a smart move to position himself well for the elections. Meanwhile, Democrats are pushing for more information on Idaho’s move to allow plans that doesn’t meet the ACA’s rules.
Tweak To VA Choice Legislation Moves It A Step Closer Toward Privatized Veterans’ Care
The change proposes that Veterans Affairs facilities will be responsible for meeting access standards set by the VA secretary. If a facility can’t, the patient can seek out a community provider —
technically opening up VA Choice eligibility to all veterans. Currently, fewer than 1 million veterans receive care through the Choice program.
In Wake Of Florida Mass Shooting, States Stepping Up To Take Gun Control Into Their Own Hands
Four East Coast states are forming a coalition to better promote and foster gun safety, while other states mull legislation allowing “red flag” gun seizures when necessary. And Oregon passes a measure to ban those with a domestic violence conviction from owning a firearm.
“Most of these shooters are angry, antisocial individuals you cannot spot in advance, and even if you could, you don’t have the right to institutionalize them.” said Dr. Michael Stone, a forensic psychiatrist at Columbia University. Meanwhile, mental health experts are disturbed by the derisive language President Donald Trump has been using. Media outlets also take a look at the gun research and laws that might come from the shooting.
First Edition: February 23, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages focus on these health topics and others.
Opinion writers express views on health care policies.
Longer Looks: Gun Research; Kentucky’s Medicaid; And Missouri’s Death Penalty
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets report on news from Wisconsin, New Jersey, Ohio, Maryland, Minnesota, Florida, Kentucky, Virginia, South Carolina, New York, Missouri, Michigan, Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, Louisiana, California and Massachusetts.
New Cluster Of Cases Tells Story Of A Black Lung Epidemic That Is Emerging In Appalachia
The severity of the disease among miners at the Virginia clinics “knocked us back on our heels,” said David J. Blackley, an epidemiologist at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. In other public health news: rape kits, brain injuries, sepsis, diabetes and prosthetics.
A Glimmer Of Hope In Midst Of Epidemic: Opioid Deaths Fall For First Time In Years For 14 States
“If we’re truly at a plateau or inflection point, it would be the best news all year,” said Caleb Alexander, of Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Drug Safety and Effectiveness. Meanwhile, five states and the District of Columbia saw death spikes of more than 30 percent.
Sweeping Study Settles Hot Debate Over Whether Antidepressants Even Work, Researchers Say
In general, newer antidepressants tend to be better tolerated due to fewer side effects, while the most effective drug in terms of reducing depressive symptoms was amitriptyline — a drug first discovered in the 1950s.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted to drop FluMist from the list of recommended vaccines starting in the 2016-2017 flu season after studies conducted by the CDC showed that the vaccine component that targets H1N1 flu viruses was not protecting people who got the vaccine.
Could This Century-Old Law Be Used To Curb Drug Prices? Democrats Think So
The law could allow HHS to use a patented invention — in this case hep C drugs — and the drugmaker wouldn’t be able to do anything about it other than to demand “reasonable” compensation. Democrats want HHS to take this step in hopes that a lower-cost generic could be manufactured. Meanwhile, HHS Secretary Alex Azar says the administration is exploring more actions on cutting high drug costs.
Medicaid Changes May Just Shift Spending From Families To Administrative Bureaucracy, Experts Warn
Implementing and monitoring the work requirements and other new regulations isn’t going to be cheap. Outlets report on Medicaid news out of Alaska, Virginia, Kansas, Iowa and Missouri.
