Latest KFF Health News Stories
Beyond Privacy Concerns: Interactive Gadgets Can Pose Threat To Children’s Psychology
Children, who are learning what’s appropriate social interaction, can be affected more than adults by the human-computer relationship that’s becoming more commonplace in homes. In other public health news: early menopause, the shingles vaccine, fatty liver disease, racism, and gun safety.
Although abuse of painkillers seems to actually be dropping, the number of deaths has been rising. Media outlets report news from Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Ohio and Massachusetts.
Privacy Rules Relaxed As Part Of Administration’s Attempt To Curb Opioid Epidemic
The rule will allow health care providers to share information with family members, friends and legal representatives if the patient is in crisis. President Donald Trump declared the opioid epidemic a national public health crisis last week, but some are concerned that there’s no funding to go along with it.
Watchdogs Concerned About Gift From UnitedHealth To Nominee For An HHS Spot
Stephen Parente has been nominated to be the assistant secretary for planning and evaluation at the Department of Health and Human Services. “The timing doesn’t look good,” says Scott Amey of the Project on Government Oversight. “I think Mr. Parente should take some steps to assure the public that he’s working in the public interest, and not on behalf of United Healthcare or other donors.”
States’ Frustrations Growing As Funds Dwindle For Children’s Health Coverage
Federal funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) expired last month. Although members of Congress have expressed support for the program, it’s not clear if they can bridge differences about how to pay for the program.
ACA Supporters, Thwarted By Maine Governor, Seek To Expand Medicaid Through Referendum
Maine Gov. Paul Page (R) has vetoed legislation to implement an expansion five times. Now, health law supporters are taking the issue to voters. In other Medicaid news, Kansas officials will seek federal approval to implement a work requirement, Iowa Democratic lawmakers propose allowing state residents to buy into the Medicaid system and Louisiana’s managed care contracts come under scrutiny.
With New Rule, Administration Wants To Give States More Flexibility On ACA’s Essential Benefits
Issued late in the day on Friday, the 365-page plan also proposes other changes to the inner workings of the health insurance markets.
Health Law’s Open Enrollment To Kick Off This Week Amid Confusion, Cries Of Sabotage
Experts expect enrollment to drop significantly in part because of the Trump administration’s moves to slash funding for marketing and navigators, and to roll back policies meant to protect consumers.
First Edition: October 30, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: A Legal Twist On Talcum Powder; FDA Can Help Patients Get Experimental Meds
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Editorial pages offer different perspectives about how to proceed in addressing the current and future challenges faced by the Affordable Care Act’s individual insurance market.
Opinion writers offer their ideas about whether President Donald Trump’s declaration can have a meaningful impact on the nation’s effort to address the problem.
Research Roundup: Medicaid Payment Reform; Tanning Salon Compliance; Robotic-Assisted Surgery
Here is a selection of news coverage of other recent research:
Media outlets report on news from Connecticut, Florida, Alabama, Illinois, the District of Columbia, Arizona, California, Oregon, Ohio, Georgia and Wisconsin.
Having Heart Surgery In Afternoon Instead Of Morning Drastically Reduces Post-Op Risk
The findings are the latest in a growing body of evidence suggesting that time of day plays an important role in how well various medical treatments work. In other public health news: controversy continues over whether someone who is overweight can be healthy; the benefits of being a do-gooder; stem cell treatments; and the link between marijuana and sex.
Insys Founder Charged With Felonies Involving ‘Nationwide Conspiracy’ To Push Powerful Opioids
Prosecutors allege John N. Kapoor had been bribing doctors to prescribe his company’s drug intended for cancer patients only.
Zenefits, Co-Founder Of Startup Pay Nearly $1M To Settle With SEC
The company, which provides software to businesses in hopes of selling them health-insurance plans, made false statements to investors about whether its employees were properly licensed, according to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
CVS Negotiating Deal To Buy Aetna, As Amazon Starts Encroaching On Drugstore Chain’s Turf
The deal reflects a blurring of traditional boundaries in health care as companies try to adjust to the ever-changing and uncertain marketplace.
Arizona Supreme Court Weighs Challenge To Medicaid Expansion
The challenge, which could affect 400,000 who gained coverage when Arizona opted to accept the federal health law’s option to expand eligibility for Medicaid, is based on an argument that the legislature needed a two-thirds majority to pass the expansion. Lower courts have rejected the claim. In other Medicaid news, a look at Maine’s referendum, Kentucky’s waiver request and controversies in Mississippi and Louisiana.
With States About To Run Out Of Money, Congress Plans CHIP Vote For Next Week
Congress missed a September deadline to renew funding for the popular program, but states had enough funds to give themselves a buffer zone. They’re quickly running out, though.
