Latest KFF Health News Stories
Media outlets report on news from Virginia, Texas, California, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Georgia, Florida, Ohio and Wisconsin.
Merger Would Make Steward Health Care The Largest Private For-Profit Hospital Operator
Boston-based Steward Health Care System announces that it will acquire Franklin, Tenn.-based IASIS Healthcare for $2 billion.
Dwindling Supply Of Vital But Simple Drug Setting Hospitals On Edge
Because of the shortage, doctors are having to make tough decisions on how they treat their patients. “Does the immediate need of a patient outweigh the expected need of a patient?” one asked. “It’s a medical and ethical question that goes beyond anything I’ve had to experience before.” In other public health news: infertility, pumping breast milk, services for deaf patients, neuroscience, probiotics and more.
Pediatricians: Babies Shouldn’t Drink Juice In First Year Of Life
The doctors want to battle the misconception that children need the sugary drinks.
Carfentanil Intensifying Already Deadly Opioid Epidemic
The synthetic drug is 10,000 times more potent than morphine.
Hospital Sepsis Protocols Can Increase Survival Chances, Study Finds
Many doctors have been skeptical about proposed regulations for screening and treating the life-threatening complication that afflicts tens of thousands of Americans.
The legislation bans a commonly used procedure for second-trimester abortions, similar to laws that courts have blocked in other states. And Missouri asks an appellate court to step in over a judge’s decision to block the state’s abortion restrictions.
Georgia Appears To Dodge A Bullet As Blue Cross Doesn’t Signal Plans To Pull Back Operations
In its initial filings with the state, the company says it will continue to sell individual policies in all 159 counties. In other news, a New Hampshire paper reports indications that premiums could go up significantly and California Healthline examines which companies are enticing customers on that exchange.
Senators Mull Short-Term ‘Rescue’ Bill For Health Law To Stabilize Marketplace
The upper chamber is quietly working toward coming up with their own version of a plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. And Congress awaits the Congressional Budget Office’s score for the revised bill that passed the House.
‘Why The Hell Would We’ Continue Insurer Subsidy Payments, Trump Reported To Ask Advisers
Despite the potential political blowback, President Donald Trump is leaning toward cutting off billions in cost-sharing subsidies, according to sources who spoke to Politico. On Monday, there will be a hearing in the court case about the payments.
Hiring Freeze Leaves Nearly 700 Jobs Unfilled At CDC
The vacancies impact public health emergency readiness, infectious disease control and chronic disease prevention programs, The Washington Post reports. Other Trump administration moves at the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health also make headlines today.
Trump Budget Slashes Medicaid Funding, Rejecting Some Conservatives’ Pleas To Save Expansion
The White House also wants to give states more flexibility when it comes to imposing work requirements for people in the program.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Opening For Medicare Long-Term Care?; Texas Seeks Planned Parenthood Money
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Perspectives On Health Debate: GOP Disregard Of ACA Maintenance; Miss USA’s Health Stand
Even as other issues are overtaking the air waves, some opinion writers keep an eye on the health debate.
Longer Looks: A Grandmother’s Abortion; Exploding Obamacare; And Doctors In China
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Research Roundup: Medicaid Wellness Programs; Preexisting Conditions; Changes In Subsidies
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Media outlets report on news from Tennessee, Iowa, New Hampshire, California, Washington, Arizona, Indiana, Florida, Ohio and Oregon.
Flushing Fallopian Tubes With Poppyseed Oil May Help Infertile Women Conceive
A small study shows a “clear” difference between oil-based and water-based solutions. In other public health news: breast cancer survival rates, pelvic exams, cancer treatments, internet addiction and gun safety.
On Heels Of Opioid Crisis, Officials See Early Warning Signs That Meth Will Be Next Epidemic
Officials say a methamphetamine crisis could reach even further than the current opioid epidemic. In related news, senators introduce a bill to modify rules about Medicaid money and substance abuse treatment centers, Aetna is sending letters to dentists and oral surgeons who are “superprescribers,” and more out of the states.
