Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: Improving On A ‘Good’ Death; Connecting Mental And Physical Health
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Perspectives: Much Ado About Medicaid; Undermining Obamacare’s Support
Opinion writers examine Medicaid issues from state and federal angles and offer their thoughts on a range of other health policy issues.
Longer Looks: West Va. Comes To Grips with Opioids; Aid In Dying
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets report on news from California, Georgia, Texas, New Hampshire, Florida, Kansas, Vermont and New York.
While Home Health Monitoring Tech Develops Quickly, Doctors And Hospitals Are Slower To Adopt
Market research firms predict that home health devices will grow into a $100-billion industry over the next five years. In related IT news, St. Louis Public Radio spotlights another device aimed at helping stroke patients.
VA Secretary Says Inability To Quickly Fire Staff Is A Vulnerability For Agency
Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin is asking Congress to draft accountability legislation to make the process easier. “Our accountability processes are clearly broken. We have to wait more than a month to fire a psychiatrist who was caught on camera watching pornography using his iPad while seeing a veteran,” Shulkin said.
As Sens. Portman And Toomey Seek To Forge Accord On Medicaid, Drug Treatments In Peril
The Republican senators are from two states heavily impacted by the opioid epidemic but have been found that the Medicaid expansion is helping cover treatment expenses. Overdose deaths rose 20.5 percent in 2015 in Ohio to 3,050 and 30 percent in Pennsylvania, to 3,500. Meanwhile, In Kansas, some people with disabilities fear possible cuts in Medicaid.
Consumer Protections Have Failed To Keep Up With IVF Technology, Leaving Patients Vulnerable
The emotion-ridden process is extremely expensive, but there’s little way for consumers to tell the reputable clinics from the ones that aren’t, which can create a devastating experience for the couples. In other public health news: depression in teenage girls, music and hearing, blood pressure, aging, and listeria.
No Laughing Matter: Trump’s ‘Covfefe’ Tweet May Signal Cognitive Trouble, Experts Warn
The tweet is raising concerns amid experts that President Donald Trump could be suffering from some kind of health issue.
Profit Mining The Opioid Epidemic: ‘People Who Are Addicts Are Sold To The Highest Bidder’
In Philadelphia, people with addictions are being “pimped out” to treatment centers for cash. Media outlets report on news on the crisis out of Maryland, Massachusetts, Washington, Ohio and Virginia.
NIH To Try To Cut Development Time For Drugs To Help Curb Opioid Epidemic
Health officials announced a public-private partnership that aims to more rapidly bring drugs related to treating those addicted to opioids to market. Meanwhile, Express Scripts is suing a drugmaker over its overdose medication, a look at how one letter to the editor helped shape the course of an epidemic, and more from the opioid crisis.
Ohio AG Sues Drugmakers Over Opioid Crisis: They ‘Knew What They Were Doing Was Wrong’
Ohio has been hard hit by the opioid epidemic and the state’s Attorney General Mike DeWine wants pharmaceutical companies to take some responsibility for it.
$1 Million-Per-Month Patient Highlights How One Pricey Case Can Sink An Insurer
Wellmark Blue Cross & Blue Shield cited the Iowa teen’s case as a reason it is pulling out of the individual marketplace in the state. “Everyone is trying to avoid the $12 million-man,” Duke University research associate David Anderson told the publication PolitiFact. “Because whoever catches him basically can’t make money.”
Grassley Releases Report Alleging Mylan Overcharged Medicaid $1.3 Billion For Epi-Pen
The analysis by the inspector general’s office at the Department of Health and Human Services “should worry every taxpayer,” the Iowa senator said.
Everything You Need To Know About California’s Long-Shot Single-Payer Proposal
The Los Angeles Times answers questions about the plan that’s energizing liberals across the country. Meanwhile, suggestions on how to pay for the system are blasted as unrealistic.
As Republicans rush to roll back the Affordable Care Act, it might do them well to look at Washington state’s attempts to undo health care reform two decades ago. Meanwhile, the current GOP plan could leave many priced out of insurance if they let their coverage lapse, senators mull what to do with ACA tax cuts, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) faces a hostile town hall meeting, and lawmakers reach out to constituents about their health care stories.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Climate Change, Global Health And Vaccine Deals; Driving Drugged
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Editorial pages offer local takes on ideas and issues related to health system reform.
Opinion writers offer their ideas on what’s happening on Capitol Hill with the American Health Care Act, whether its shortcomings can be repaired, and who wins and loses if it advances.
