Latest KFF Health News Stories
Media outlets report on news from Florida, Ohio, Iowa, Maryland, California, New Hampshire, Colorado, New York, Virginia, Massachusetts and Texas.
As Many Kids Have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome As Autism, Yet They Are Slipping Through Cracks
New research finds that fetal alcohol spectrum disorders affect 1.1 to 5 percent of children in the country. In other public health news: stroke treatment, untreated water, black lung, death and aging, car horns and health, and more.
A Pacemaker For The Brain: Implant To Boost Memory Shows Promising Results
In testing, the device improved word recall by 15 percent — roughly the amount that Alzheimer’s disease steals over two and half years.
Lack Of Diversity Among Doctors Seen As Brewing Public Health Crisis
Stat talks to a group of doctors who are traveling the country and meeting with young people of color who are interested in health career paths.
Condition That Disrupts Sleep Responsible For Two Recent Train Crashes, Investigators Find
The Obama administration had been drafting a rule to require train operators, as well as truck and bus drivers be screened and treated for obstructive sleep apnea, but the Trump administration recently squashed it.
FDA Sharpens Stance Against Herbal Supplement Kratom: ‘It Isn’t Just A Plant — It’s An Opioid’
Kratom advocates say the botanical substance is a good way to wean people off of opioids. But new research reinforces Food and Drug Administration’s concerns about kratom’s “potential for abuse, addiction and serious health consequences, including death,” Commissioner Scott Gottlieb says. Meanwhile, the Drug Enforcement Administration comes under fire from House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-Ore.).
Practices With High-Risk Populations Lagging Behind On Medicare’s Annual Wellness Visits
The initiative was established under the Affordable Care Act to encourage prevention and wellness care for Medicare patients. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has decided not to move forward with an Obama-era program that would use outside organizations to improve care for select Medicare patients.
CMS Chief Pledges To Bring A Rural Health Lens To All Agency Policies
CMS Administrator Seema Verma promises technical help for providers when it comes to implementing new policies like the expansion of telehealth and better “information” to help patients make care decisions. Outlets report on Medicaid news out of Louisiana, Mississippi, Maryland, Utah and North Carolina.
‘Right To Try’ Legislation Will Do More Harm Than Good, Patient Advocacy Groups Warn Congress
More than three dozen groups say that the framework of FDA’s compassionate use program is already in place to help terminal patients access experimental drugs.
How Hospital Nonprofits Structure Themselves Helps Determine How Hard They’re Hit By New Tax Rules
Under the new law, a nonprofit will owe a 21 percent tax on pay exceeding $1 million. But it will owe the tax only on the five highest-paid employees at each tax-exempt entity the nonprofit has registered with the Internal Revenue Service, excluding some doctors.
Insurance Industry Darling Oscar Health’s Membership Growth For 2018 Off The Charts
As other companies retreated from business related to the Affordable Care Act, Oscar Health swooped. In other news: former CMS official Andy Slavitt is launching a nonprofit to try to find solutions on high health care costs. And the Trump administration is reportedly set to release guidelines giving states more flexibility in their ACA marketplaces.
Democrats’ Health Victories In Stopgap Bill Come At A Cost — Namely ACA’s Preventive Care Fund
Lawmakers are getting close to a deal to fund the government that includes several health care wins for Democrats, such as extending funding for community health clinics. But the proposals to pay for the new policies take some of the wind out of those victories.
High Drug Price Blame Game: Middlemen Under Fire From Pharma Defend Their Role In Finding Savings
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
First Edition: February 7, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Time To End Sexual Assaults On Patients; Where Is Funding For Community Health Centers?
Editorial pages highlight these and other health issues.
Media outlets report on news from California, Minnesota, Texas, Wisconsin, Florida, Arizona, Tennessee, Georgia, Kansas and Virginia.
Immunotherapy Has Been Touted As Miracle Worker Against Cancer, But It’s Not Effective For Everyone
A test, though, could help pinpoint if a patient’s cancer is unique in just the right way to benefit from the new treatment. In other public health news: floods and toxic chemical sites; prostate cancer; hot tea and esophageal cancer; over-medication in nursing homes; and more.
There Are Actually A Lot Of Flu Vaccines Out There, And They’re Not All Created Equal
The field is pretty crowded and experts think that some offer better protection than others. Meanwhile, scientists are on the hunt for a permanent vaccine.
Behind The Scenes Of Trump’s War On Opioids Confusion, Uncertainty Reigns Under Kellyanne Conway
Kellyanne Conway has taken a leading role in the the Trump administration’s efforts to curb the epidemic, but is reported to be freezing out experts who have experience with public health policy.
New Conscience Rules To Protect Workers Will Cost Health System $300M In First Year Alone
Costs would average $125 million a year thereafter. Many critics also fear the new rules will allow health workers an excuse not to care for certain patients.
