Latest KFF Health News Stories
Some Gun Control Measures ‘On The Table’ For Trump Following Florida Shooting
President Donald Trump has directed the Justice Department to issue regulations banning so-called bump stocks, which convert semiautomatic guns into automatic weapons. But people familiar with the conversations say he is mulling going further — and perhaps putting himself at odds with the NRA. Meanwhile, students are still reeling from the psychological toll of the mass shooting.
First Edition: February 21, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Work Requirements Promote Healthy Attitude; Connect Dental Care With Health Care
Editorial pages highlight these and other health issues.
Media outlets report on news from Idaho, Maryland, California, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Ohio, Massachusetts, Colorado, Iowa, Kentucky, Tennessee, Delaware and Texas.
Virginia House Finally Backs Medicaid Expansion, But It Could Be Tough Sell In State Senate
The proposed deal would include work training requirements and for beneficiaries to contribute to their coverage. But Medicaid expansion was not included in the budget that the state’s Senate passed out of committee on Sunday.
Justice Department Appeals Calif. Judge’s Decision To Block Rollback Of Birth Control Coverage
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra sued the Trump administration in October challenging the new rules, saying the policy discriminated against women.
House Ready To Hold First Hearings On Best Approach To Fight Opioid Crisis, Provide Adequate Funding
Following criticism for not providing a comprehensive strategy, House Republicans are setting out to find a bipartisan solution. “It’s my top priority as chairman of the committee to get rid of this deadly epidemic,” said House Energy and Commerce committee chairman Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.). “There’s going to be money—more money than has ever been spent.”
Battle Was Brewing Behind Closed Doors At VA Long Before Travel Scandal Erupted
Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin is an Obama-holdover who defends the much-maligned VA health system. In an era where privatizing veterans’ care is popular among Republicans, the friction has continued to build behind the scenes at the agency and in Congress.
HHS Has Been Quietly Reversing Strides Made In Fostering, Protecting LGBT Heath Care
The LGBT population can be vulnerable to discrimination in health care settings, but the Trump administration says the changes within HHS are part of an approach to include LGBT health as part of its broader strategy. Meanwhile, a top HHS communications official becomes the latest in the administration to move to the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
Gap Between People Who Can’t Afford Health Care And Those Who Can Barely Afford It Stokes Resentment
For those that don’t qualify for Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, the requirement for insurance coverage can seem unfair. Meanwhile, the congressional spending deal raises doubts about what lawmakers are doing to control health costs that are only expected to get worse.
Is Alzheimer’s A Glitch Of Our Brain’s Ancient Immune System?
Connecting Alzheimer’s and the immune system was a radical idea at first but these scientists pushed on. In other news, FDA has opened the doors to drugs that would treat people who have biomarkers of a disease but aren’t yet showing symptoms.
One Of The Best Weapons To Fight Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia: A Toothbrush
A new study finds that pneumonia is far more pervasive than people realized and at the same time hospitals aren’t doing enough to combat it. In other public health news: immunotherapy, horsepox, autism, alcohol, viruses, and more.
There’s Hope That Worst Of This Nasty Flu Season Might Actually Be Over
While officials can’t say that the season has peaked yet, there is data showing that it has started to plateau. In related news: officials say three out of four children who died from the flu had not gotten a flu vaccine, and the company that makes FluMist wants the popular vaccine to make a comeback.
How Doctors ‘Treating The Bad Guy’ Had To Put Emotions Aside To Care For Patient
Not all of the trauma patients the staff at Broward Health North hospital cared for were victims. “We just picked people we know can stay cool,” Dr. Nichiporenko said about choosing the team of medical professionals who treated the shooting suspect, Nikolas Cruz.
Politicians Talk Link Between Mental Health, Gun Violence. But What Are The Facts?
The New York Times fact checks politicians’ rhetoric about mass shootings and mental health. And advocates are voicing frustrations over the misconception that the two are always connected. “The vast majority of gun violence is not attributable to mental illness,” said Dr. Louis Kraus, forensic psychiatry chief at Chicago’s Rush University Medical College.
Under Immense Pressure Following Shooting, GOP And Trump Open To ‘Small Steps’ On Gun Control
President Donald Trump signaled some support for legislation that would strengthen background checks for guns, but the proposed measure wouldn’t have stopped the Florida shooting as the gunman had no criminal record. Media outlets also take a look at what states have done in tightening restrictions and where they’ve had success.
First Edition: February 20, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Medicaid Work Requirements Are Brazen; Lessons From Opioid Crisis On Caring
Opinion writers focus on these and other health topics.
Editorial pages focus on the mass shooting at a high school in Florida this week.
Research Roundup: Kidney Disease; Bariatric Surgery Outcomes; Medicare Wellness Visits
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
