Latest KFF Health News Stories
Quality Of Care In NICU Linked To Race Of Babies, California Study Finds
African-American and Hispanic babies had lower quality of care than Asian American or white infants. But the results weren’t all clear cut. In other public health news: double mastectomies, coffee, nicotine, NFL funding for medical research and more.
Battered By Harvey, Houston’s Hospitals Become ‘Islands Of Humanity’ In Midst Of Storm
The flood waters are straining Houston’s medical system, but hospitals and providers are doing what they can to help victims. And while much of the focus at the moment is on immediate concerns, widespread public health dangers loom on the horizon.
First Edition: August 29, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A selection of opinions on public health issues from around the country.
Opinion pages include thoughts on current state legislative issues and activities as well as on how politics in Washington could play out locally.
Opinion writers offer their thoughts on where Obamacare stands now and what should happen next as well as a number of other policy issues. Those include Medicare and Medicaid buy-in ideas, health data privacy and security, and hearing aids.
Media outlets report on news from Missouri, Ohio, Georgia, Idaho, California, Minnesota, Massachusetts and Maryland.
In Tumultuous Health Care Landscape, Some Doctors Are Opting To Freelance
The perks of working as a freelance doctor are enticing: phsyicians often earn more on an hourly basis, they don’t have to wait for insurance reimbursements to get paid — and they decide when and where they’ll work.
Despite Massive Payout In J&J Talc Case, Experts Divided Over Whether Powder Causes Cancer
The National Cancer Institute concludes “the weight of evidence does not support an association between perineal talc exposure and an increased risk of ovarian cancer.” But experts aren’t ruling out that the link might be proven someday. In other public health news: a skin lightening procedure and buying happiness.
NYC Postpones New Calorie Labeling Regulations To Comply With Federal Schedule
The Food and Drug Administration had delayed implementation of the new rules for a year–until 2018. New York City had planned to go ahead with the regulations, but will now wait.
Hep C Could Be Eradicated But Not Without Reining In The Opioid Epidemic, Experts Say
“We have two public health problems that are related — it’s called a syndemic — and we can’t address one without addressing the other,” says James Galbraith, an emergency room physician.
Harvey Likely To Trigger PTSD For Survivors Of Similar Storms
The mental health of those who are not even in the direct path of the storm can be affected by remembering similar tragedies. Especially in Texas, where many Katrina victims moved temporarily or permanently after the 2005 hurricane. Meanwhile, some Houston hospitals have had to close or evacuate because of the flooding.
The Good Kind Of Side Effect: Anti-Inflammatory Drug Also Sharply Cuts Rates Of Lung Cancer
Experts caution though that potential fatal side effects of the drug, as well as its high cost, mean it is unlikely to be widely used.
Medicare Rejects Several Requests From Insurers For Changes In Proposed Advantage Plan Rules
Insurers sought some relief on the proposals, which are now being evaluated by the Office of Management and Budget. Meanwhile, CBS News offers some tips for consumers thinking about purchasing a Medicare Advantage plan when open enrollment begins in October.
Nevada, Where 20% Of People Are On Medicaid, Keenly Watches Federal Health Debate
Las Vegas Review-Journal examines the growth of Medicaid in Nevada. Also, Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead tells the Casper Star-Tribune that he worries the state has suffered financially because lawmakers refused to expand Medicaid, and a Lincoln, Neb., social service organization is likely to lose some Medicaid funding.
S.C. Governor Directs Agencies To Cut Off Funding For Providers Affiliated With Abortion Clinics
The order is making use of a law signed by President Donald Trump in April that lets states deny certain federal funding to abortion providers including Planned Parenthood.
Instances Of Elderly Abuse Rampant, HHS IG Investigators Find
Investigators in the the Health and Human Services Inspector General’s Office have been auditing cases of abuse in nursing homes. They issued an “early alert” on their finding because the situation was so dire.
In An Era Of A Deeply Divided Washington, VA Secretary Wins Rare Bipartisan Accolades
Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin, an Obama-era holdout, wasn’t President Donald Trump’s first pick for the job. He wasn’t even his second or third. But since Shulkin has taken over the position he’s made changes that have won him praise from both sides of the aisle.
According to one official, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has been directed to take a number of factors into consideration such as “military effectiveness,” budgetary constraints and “unit cohesion,” as well as others he deems “relevant.”
Sanders Continues To Beat Single-Payer Drum As Congress’ Attention Shifts Toward Tax Reform
Republicans are mocking Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) for his health care plan, but polls show the lawmaker has better favorability ratings in states that Donald Trump won than the president. Meanwhile, Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) is under attack from both sides for the role he played in the health law debates over the summer.
