Latest KFF Health News Stories
The Wall Street Journal reviewed the financial history of Robert Weaver, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Indian Health Services, and found that he has filed for personal bankruptcy and has liens against one of his businesses. Elsewhere in the administration, documents show that HHS worked with a conservative group to find ways to defund Planned Parenthood.
HHS’ $95.4 Billion Budget In Trump’s Plan: CDC Faces Big Cut, But NIH And FDA Get A Boost
“The president’s budget makes investments and reforms that are vital to making our health and human services programs work for Americans and to sustaining them for future generations,” Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said in a statement.
Trump Takes Aim At Medicare, Medicaid In $4.4 Trillion Budget Proposal
From gutting safety net programs to funding the opioid epidemic battle, President Donald Trump’s budget includes a host of health issues. The proposed cuts released Monday are unlikely to come to pass, as Congress controls the purse strings, but the plan is a good blueprint of the administration’s priorities.
First Edition: February 13, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Regardless Of Fiscal Issues, Don’t Underfund CDC; Trump’s Health Care Agenda Is ‘Robust’
Opinion writers expressed views on health care topics.
Media outlets report on news from Texas, Iowa, California, Hawaii, Washington, Maryland, Minnesota, Georgia, Oregon, New Orleans, Ohio, Wisconsin, Arizona and New Hampshire.
Our Smartphones Are Training Us To Expect Rewards Just Like Pavlov’s Dogs
Researchers look at the brain chemistry behind our addiction to smartphones. In other public health news: the common cold and the Olympics, a new malaria drug, the dreaded hospital gown, sugar cravings, superbugs, and more.
‘We Were Hoping To Have Better News’: Flu Continues To Get Worse For Yet Another Week
The latest weekly report shows 1 out of every 13 doctor visits last week was for fever, cough and other symptoms of the flu, matching the peak levels during the 2009 swine flu pandemic, and 1 in 10 of all deaths reported in the United States were caused by flu or pneumonia. Meanwhile, the severity of the season is driving up profits for those in the health industry.
In Effort To Reduce Number Of Opioid Deaths, NYC Weighs Pros And Cons Of Safe Injection Sites
“What’s most important to us is saving lives,” says Kassandra Frederique, the New York director of the Drug Policy Alliance. Nearly four overdose deaths occur daily in New York City. While the U.S. has not opened any official centers yet to monitor safe drug use, dozens are being funded across Canada.
Under Intense Fire For Role In Opioid Epidemic, Purdue Announces It Will Stop Marketing OxyContin
The company also cut its sales force in half and plans to send a letter Monday to doctors saying that its salespeople will no longer come to their clinics to talk about the company’s pain products. Purdue is facing numerous lawsuits from counties, cities and states for its aggressive marketing tactics.
A Look At Amazon’s Health Benefits Administrator Gives Hints Of What’s To Come With New Initiative
Making better use of patient data is at the heart of Amazon’s effort.
Health Provisions In Congress’ Budget Touted As ‘Beacon Of Light’ In The Legislation
Health providers were pleasantly surprised by some of the health care wins that were achieved through the budget deal that was hammered out last week.
Kentucky’s Medicaid Work Mandate Has Green Light, But Actually Implementing Is A Lot Trickier
Monitoring and enforcing the work requirements is a complex problem that officials are trying to wrap their arms around. The state will build a mobile-friendly website to help beneficiaries log their hours. Media outlets report on Medicaid news out of Iowa, Missouri, Michigan, Connecticut and Maryland, as well.
Despite Big Talk On Bringing Down Drug Prices, Critics Find Trump’s Plan Modest, Underwhelming
The White House Council of Economic Advisers has released a 30-page strategy for reducing drug costs. But the White House strategy largely sidesteps the question of whether drugmakers set their prices too high to start with.
Deputy White House Chief Of Staff Tapped To Lead Office In Charge Of Tackling Opioid Crisis
Jim Carroll has no background in working in public health policy, but the White House said that after law school, Carroll spent five years as the assistant commonwealth attorney for Fairfax, Virginia, where the majority of the cases were drug-related.
FDA Chief Winning Over Skeptics As He Juggles Public Health, Industry Concerns And Wary Staff
In a presidential administration that’s been roiled by scandal and confusion, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb is standing out as a “thoughtful” and “deliberate” leader who doesn’t want to blow up his agency as some had previously feared.
White House Budget, Though Largely Ceremonial, Will Provide Peek At Trump’s Health Priorities
President Donald Trump’s budget blueprint, set to be released Monday, is expected to include funding to fight the opioid crisis. Media outlets take a look at what else may be in the proposal.
First Edition: February 12, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers comment on these health issues and others.
Research Roundup: Medicare Advantage, Medicaid And Diabetes Coaching
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
