Latest KFF Health News Stories
Editorial pages examine possible next steps in the health care debate, the importance of issue expertise, spiraling costs and the president’s state of mind.
Perspectives: Repeal, Replace And Monday-Morning Quarterbacking
Opinion writers offer their analysis on what happened last week to the Senate Republican’s repeal-and-replace effort — examining some of the key strategy moves that went awry and highlighting some lessons that could be learned from the process.
Media outlets report on news from Illinois, Arkansas, Massachusetts, California, Texas, Florida, Washington, Vermont, Maryland and Ohio.
Refusal To Prescribe Opioids May Have Fueled Motive In Murder Of Indiana Doctor
A man shot a doctor who refused to write a prescription for his wife, who has chronic pain, before killing himself. Police are still investigating. In other news on the national drug epidemic, Chicago is handing out overdose antidotes to at-risk inmates upon release, Philadelphia aims to clean up and shut down a notorious heroin camp and Ohio doctors are working to cut down on painkiller prescriptions.
The Next ‘Catastrophic’ Superbug To Worry About Is Perfect Storm Of Scary Characteristics
Scientists are eyeing the invasive fungus warily. In other public health news: gonorrhea, autism, marijuana and DUIs, weight loss, contraception and more.
FDA To Regulate Amount Of Nicotine In Cigarettes To Make Them Less Addictive
It will be the first time the government has gone beyond warning labels and taxes if the rule goes through.
House Sends Bill Extending Veterans Choice Program To Senate
The bill would extend the program for six months and devote $1.8 billion to authorize 28 leases for new Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and establish programs to make it easier to hire health specialists.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Individual Market Turmoil; Bureaucracies, ‘Creep’ And Medical Decisions
Here’s a review of editorials and opinions on a range of public health issues.
Research Roundup: Privatizing Medicaid; Increased Cost Sharing And Mental Health
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Media outlets report on news from Illinois, Ohio, California, Maryland, Florida, Texas, Massachusetts, Washington and Pennsylvania.
Failure Of Once-Promising Cancer Immunotherapy Underscores Questions Facing Field
Today’s other public health stories cover news about aid-in-dying laws, HIV, whooping cough, gene editing, birth control access, the health benefits of dirt, colon cancer and hearing loss.
Scientists Look To Slug Slime To Develop New Generation Of Surgical Adhesive
The slug’s “defensive mucus turns out to be very sticky and also very strong and highly stretchable,” says Jianyu Li, a materials scientist with Harvard’s Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering. “That kind of inspired us.”
Researchers Counter Age-Old Message On Antibiotics
An analysis published in BMJ questions the idea that failing to complete a course of antibiotics contributes to the rise of antibiotic resistance.
United Therapeutics Sets Aside $210M For Possible Justice Department Settlement
The drugmaker’s contributions to patient-assistance charity groups are under federal investigation. In other biotech news, bioAffinity raises $4 million to bring its lung cancer test to market and prosecutors deliver closing arguments in the case against Martin Shkreli.
CMS To Cut Billions In Aid To Hospitals That Care For Nation’s Most Vulnerable Populations
The cuts, which are focused on what’s known as disproportionate-share hospital funds meant to help hospitals with uncompensated care costs, were supposed to start in 2014 under the Affordable Care Act but have been delayed. The reductions were put in place because the ACA’s coverage expansions were expected to reduce the demand for such charity care. But many institutions face tabs for uncompensated care that exceed those projections.
Lawmakers Reach New Bipartisan Agreement On VA Choice Program After Original Plan Falls Apart
The compromise plan sets aside $2.1 billion over six months to continue funding the Choice program, and would also devote $1.8 billion to authorize 28 leases for new VA medical facilities and establish programs to make it easier to hire health specialists. Meanwhile, the House passed a spending bill that includes funding for the VA.
Insurers Heave Sigh Of Relief As ‘Skinny Plan’ Crumbles, But Worry Over Future Remains
They say Congress’ attention must shift toward stabilizing the marketplace for 2018.
‘For Us This Is Not A Game’: Americans Have Whiplash From Watching Health Debate Play Out
“For months it’s been: ‘Here’s a bill, we’ll vote. No, we won’t. Now it will change. Maybe not. Will that one person vote or not?’” says Meghan Borland from Pleasant Valley, N.Y. The concern over the uncertainty on health care coverage is rippling across the country.
