Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: Opioid Epidemic Demands Focus, Urgent Action And Big Spending; Paying For Organs?
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Perspectives: ‘Obamacare Sabatuers’ Are Driving Costs Up; States, ‘Bad Ideas’ And Insurance Markets
Opinion writers offer thoughts on the current state of play regarding the Affordable Care Act, the repeal-and-replace effort and other ideas regarding health system reform.
Media outlets report on news from California, Vermont, Kansas, Wisconsin, Ohio, Texas, Michigan, Minnesota, Florida, Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania.
The Way People Touch, Use Smartphones Could Predict And Preempt Mental Health Issues
A study has found a strong correlation between patients suffering from depression and anxiety and certain patterns in keyboard and other touchscreen actions on their smartphones. In other public health news: Alzheimer’s tests, tobacco, sleep apnea, sexual assault and paralysis, kids with inexplicable pain, and more.
Fears Of Entering Into A ‘Designer Baby’ Era Through Gene Editing Unfounded, Experts Say
For the first time, researchers were able to repair a gene mutation through editing, but that doesn’t mean parents will be able to order a custom baby anytime soon, if ever.
FDA Ramps Up Efforts To Stop Flood Of Synthetic Opioids Coming Into U.S. Through Postal Service
Members of Congress also are trying to address the mail issue. Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) is pushing a bipartisan bill called the STOP Act, which would require foreign postal services to provide electronic security data on all packages shipped to the United States. Meanwhile, officials are worried that the surge in opioid-related deaths in Maryland signal a worsening of the crisis.
Shkreli Gave The Public A Face To Blame For Price Gouging. Now He’s A Convicted Felon
Martin Shkreli was found guilty of three counts of fraud and faces a possible prison sentence. But how has his case affected the pharmaceutical industry?
Providers Failing To Follow Up With Troops At Risk For Suicide
The report also found that one third of troops with PTSD were prescribed with a medication harmful to their condition.
Republican Lawmakers In Pa. Weigh Changes To Medicaid, Adding Work Requirement
The state Senate has passed the plan and it goes back to the House for a vote. Meanwhile, officials and Medicaid enrollees in Nevada are concerned about the future of the Medicaid expansion program there.
Hospitals Nervous As Medicare Considers Paying For Joint Replacements At Surgical Centers
If the federal government begins covering hip and knee surgeries in outpatient facilities, hospitals could lose substantial business. Also in the news, consumer groups mobilize to fight the Trump administration’s proposal to allow nursing homes to force residents to settle complaints through mediation and in support of a decision during the Obama administration to hold up Medicaid money for Texas because of anti-abortion laws there.
McConnell Concedes GOP May Consider Bipartisan Solution To Stabilizing Marketplace
But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) still hasn’t entirely ruled out repeal efforts, either. Meanwhile, Republicans are facing a time crunch if they want to move to tax reform.
As ACA Emerges From The Rubble Intact, Attention Shifts To Enrollment Season
Many questions remain about what exactly the enrollment period will look like, and if President Donald Trump and his administration will try to undermine sign-ups. Meanwhile, the damage may already be done to the individual marketplace following months of uncertainty.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Medicaid And Doctors Are Key Weapons In Fight Against Opioid Epidemic
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
The Debate On Health Care: The Need For Bipartisanship; The Origin Of The Rage
Opinion writers analyze where Congress turns now on the health law and the factors affecting the political decisions.
Research Roundup: Value-Based Payment; ACOs; And Medicare Advantage
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Outlets report on news from Texas, Vermont, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, California, Illinois, Florida, Kansas, Ohio and Louisiana.
Doctor Tackles Internet’s Most Dubious And Dangerous Medical Advice With Empathy And Snark
Dr. Jennifer Gunter is loved and loathed by many for taking on Republicans, President Donald Trump and Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle brand Goop. In other public health news: seniors who don’t take their meds, back pain, transgender police recruits and flame retardants.
Most Effective Opioid Addiction Treatment Banned From Majority Of Jails
Much of the criminal justice system still takes a punitive approach to addiction. Many who work in corrections believe, incorrectly, that treatments like methadone, itself an opioid, allow inmates to get high and simply replace one addiction with another. In other news on the crisis: driving under the influence; answers about the epidemic; how health law repeal would hurt those fighting addiction; and more.
Trump Blaming Mexico For N.H.’s Opioid Crisis Exposes Lack Of Understanding Of The Epidemic
In a phone call with Mexico’s leader, President Donald Trump called New Hampshire a “drug-infested den,” and placed the blame on Mexican cartels. However, the crisis has its roots in prescription drug abuse, which can come from a local doctor.
