Latest KFF Health News Stories
They’re Going To Addiction Treatment Centers For Help And ‘Leaving In Body Bags’
Hoping for a fresh start, thousands of young people addicted to opioids are winding up in Florida in places that benefit from relapse rather than the recovery they advertise. Meanwhile, a new study finds that hospitalization rates are skyrocketing because of the crisis.
Failures Of VA Pharmacy System Put Patient Safety At Risk, GAO Report Finds
The pharmacy operations are part of the Veterans Affairs Department’s soon-to-be-replaced electronic health record system. In other news on veteran health, VA Secretary David Shulkin talks about disparities in access to care depending on a patient’s location.
Wisconsin Medicaid Supporters Decry Proposal For Drug Testing As Cruel And Demeaning
Gov. Scott Walker has asked the federal government for permission to start the tests. News outlets also report on Medicaid developments in Texas, Ohio, Georgia and Colorado.
Where Georgia’s Newest Congresswoman Stands On Health Care Issues
Karen Handel secured a victory Tuesday night in Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price’s old district.
Today Is Deadline For Insurers To Commit To Sell In 2018’s ‘Very Challenged’ Obamacare Market
Concerns continue that pockets across the country will lack insurers or competition. But while some titans of the industry debate whether to sell on the health law exchanges next year, one startup — Oscar — is planning to expand its territory.
Despite Threats To Cut Them Off, Trump Administration Makes Insurer Payments For June
The insurers, however, want a more permanent guarantee on the subsidies. Meanwhile, The New York Times looks at who would be hurt the most if the payments stopped.
By Opting For Secrecy, GOP Dodged Headaches Transparency Would Have Brought
Although the strategy kept dissent down, it caused frustration even among Republicans.
Money To Fight Opioid Epidemic Could Be Deciding Factor For Health Bill’s Chances
Senators from states that have been particularly hard hit by the opioid crisis are drawing a line in the sand over funding to curb the epidemic.
McConnell’s Political Gamble: Wily Strategist Likely To Hold Vote Despite Uncertainty Over Passage
There’s a razor-thin margin of error in the Senate to get to a “yes” next week on the chamber’s version of the health care bill. Not even Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is certain about its chances. Meanwhile, public opposition to the bill continues to rise.
GOP To Unveil Bill Thursday, McConnell Promises Senators Will Have ‘Adequate Time’ To Review It
The legislation has been drafted mostly behind closed doors, and for many Thursday will be the first they see any details of it.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Thoughts On Senate Health Plan Secrecy; Realizing ‘Real’ Medicaid Reform
Editorial writers examine a range of topics related to health system reform.
Media outlets report on news from Massachusetts, Missouri, Michigan, Georgia, Kansas, Illinois, Connecticut, Washington, Minnesota and California.
Invention To Stop Blood Loss, Born On The Battlefield, Could Save Lives Of Civilians In Trauma Cases
The device “is not the second coming of Jesus Christ,” said David Spencer, the president of the company that makes the device. “But it gives the surgeons a chance where maybe there wasn’t a chance before.” In other public health news: the human genome, Zika, back pain, suicide, election stress and more.
In Heart Of Opioid Epidemic, Some Hope Harsh Reality Check Can Help Save Lives
A New York coroner offers local students a stark look at the graphic and disturbing ramifications of the opioid crisis. Meanwhile, a study finds a spike in hospital visits because of the epidemic.
Gunshots Second Only To Car Accidents For Cause Of Death For American Children
Each day in the United States, an average of 3.5 people under the age of 18 are shot to death and another 15.5 are treated in a hospital emergency department for a gunshot wound.
Bristol-Myers’ Supreme Court Victory Could Have Far-Reaching Ramifications In Liability Cases
The case centered around whether plaintiffs residing outside of the state who claim they were harmed by the company’s blood thinner could join in a lawsuit brought by California residents. “It will extremely limit the notion that large companies can be sued by anyone, anywhere,” said one lawyer.
Credit Agency Pokes Texas For Failing To Budget Sufficiently For Medicaid Growth
S&P Global Ratings did not downgrade the state’s ratings, but criticized the legislature’s decision to cut funds by nearly $2 billion while expecting more people to qualify for the program. Meanwhile, officials in Illinois are still seeking to get beyond an impasse on Medicaid payment formulas for doctors, hospitals and other health care providers.
‘A President Who Simply Does Not Care’ About HIV/AIDS: 6 Angered Experts Quit Trump’s Panel
The members of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS write that the administration “pushes legislation that will harm people living with HIV and halt or reverse important gains made in the fight against this disease.” The White House disputes the former advisers’ characterizations. “Well, I mean, respectfully, the president cares tremendously about that and the impact it has,” Press Secretary Sean Spicer said.
