Latest KFF Health News Stories
Media outlets report on news from Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Florida, Texas, Arizona, Kansas, California, Colorado and Hawaii.
D.C. Health Department Orders Hospital To Stop Baby Deliveries; Bay Area ACO To Expand Its Network
In other hospital-related news, it’s proven more difficult than expected to find patients to fill Massachusetts’ increase in psychiatric beds and what city health inspectors found at Houston-area health facilities.
Bill Requiring Women To Purchase Separate Insurance For Abortions Advances In Texas House
Democratic opponents have decried the bill as forcing women to buy “rape insurance” because exceptions weren’t made for rape and incest, while supporters say it provides “economic freedom” for Texans opposed to the procedure.
In Era Where Almost Every Ailment Is Treated With A Pill, A Simple Diet Change May Save Lives
Researchers are trying to introduce a clean diet to children with a rare kidney disorder called focal segmental glomerulosclerosis because treatment with medication doesn’t help them. In other public health news: colon cancer, sleeping and memories, workers’ health, tai chi and more.
N.H., ‘Ground Zero’ Of Opioid Epidemic, Sues OxyContin-Maker Over Its Marketing Tactics
Suing the companies that make the painkillers is a new trend in states’ efforts to combat the crisis. The New Hampshire case comes less than two months after Missouri’s attorney general sued Purdue and two other pharmaceutical companies. In other news, a study finds that abuse-deterrent opioids aren’t effective and investors are flocking to a company that makes a medication that treats addiction.
KKR Bulks Up On Health Care Holdings With $2.4 Billion Ambulance Deal
The move is just the latest in a string of health care deals for the company.
Health Care PACs Pump Millions Into Political Spending
But despite all the movement on health care, there was no sharp uptick in spending this year.
N.C. Releases Plan For Restructuring Medicaid, Improving Physical And Mental Health Care
The details lay out how the state will move from a fee-for-service program to managed care. Among other Medicaid developments are news accounts on the head of Oregon’s program resigning at the governor’s request, doctors at California’s UC Davis Medical Center saying the hospital’s decision to refuse to accept Medicaid payments has hurt vulnerable patients and health care providers complaining about Colorado’s new billing system.
Those With Employer-Sponsored Health Plans Won’t See Outrageous Spikes, But Costs Will Rise
As prices continue to go up, employers may begin to explore different cost-saving measures such as offering at least one high-deductible health plan.
Sen. Carper Launched Crusade Against GOP Health Plan By Focusing On Governors
Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) wanted to make sure they got the message: The legislation will hurt your states. Put your opposition in writing so the Senate can pause. Meanwhile, lawmakers have headed home to face their constituents and their town halls are just as raucous as they have been the rest of the year.
Trump Stops Short Of Declaring National Emergency For Opioid Epidemic
President Donald Trump focused on the need for prevention and law enforcement, but offered no concrete policy ideas in a brief meeting about the crisis.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Protecting The ‘Miracle Drugs’; Family Physicians And The Opioid-Abuse Battle
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Opinion writers offer a variety of thoughts on the current zeitgeist surrounding the Capitol Hill repeal-and-replace discussion as well as a number of other policy issues.
Media outlets report on news from Florida, Tennessee, Maryland, Ohio, Georgia, Texas, Minnesota, Washington and South Carolina.
U.S. News Releases 2017 Rankings For Hospitals
In other news, a hospital system in Houston adds more facilities while a group of physicians who are hospitalists are seeking to expand beyond Maryland.
Lawmakers Taking Strides To Address Menstruation Care As Basic Health Need
Getting rid of a tax on menstrual products is one of several ideas around menstruation care that’s gaining speed across the country. In other women’s health news: weight gain, postpartum depression and mothers of kids with cancer.
Young People On ‘Brink Of The Worst Mental Health Crisis In Decades,’ Expert Warns
Jean Twenge, a professor of psychology at San Diego State University, talks about how attachment to smartphones and social media is proving damaging to the mental health of those in the “iGen” generation. In other public health news: sunscreen, malaria, heart disease, a mysterious illness, smoking and damaged skin cells.
Smoking One Of Biggest Culprits In Appalachia’s Health Disparities
Appalachia is falling behind the rest of the country in infant mortality and life expectancy. And although much attention has focused on the area’s opioid crisis, the study finds that the region’s tendency to be “more accepting of tobacco use as a social norm” is a bigger factor in its health problems.
Doctor’s Murder Raises Tough Questions About Battling Opioid Epidemic
Dr. Todd Graham refused to give a patient a pain killer prescription. The woman’s husband returned with threats and a gun. Graham’s death is serving as a stark reminder to the community that doctors are on the front lines of the crisis. Meanwhile, deaths from drug overdoses in the U.S. rose sharply in the first nine months of 2016.
