Latest KFF Health News Stories
Outlets report on news from Ohio, California, Arizona, Oregon and Pennsylvania.
Democrats, Patients Advocates In Nevada Renew Efforts To Ban Surprise Medical Bills
“Patients don’t have an ability to negotiate,” said one supporter of the bill at a legislative hearing. In other news, lawmakers in Kansas expect new lottery revenues to help pay for more mental health facilities, and a Texas bill would criminalize cyberbullying.
Mass. House Weighs A Budget Without Governor’s Proposal To Help Fund Medicaid
As the number of workers moving onto the Medicaid rolls grows, Gov. Charlie Baker says he would like to have an assessment on employers who don’t offer health benefits to employees. Also, proposed cuts in Medicaid payments to health providers in Oklahoma could affect services available to enrollees, and some Republican leaders in North Carolina discount the chances of a Medicaid expansion proposal getting through the legislature.
Study Undercuts Popular Belief That Rise In Thyroid Cancer Rates Is Due To Unnecessary Diagnoses
Researchers speculate that rising thyroid cancer cases could be related to increasing obesity rates and declining smoking rates, since smoking is protective against developing thyroid cancer. In other public health news: breast cancer, vitamin D, dreams, child death rates, Parkinson’s, competitive eating and more.
Medication-Assisted Treatment Works For Opioid Addiction — But Nearly 80% Of Users Aren’t Getting It
Experts say the shortfall is caused by a dire lack of coordination in the system, a lack of a standardized method of care for the growing crisis and confusion about what treatment even is and how long it should last. Media outlets report on the crisis out of Missouri, Maryland, Oregon, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Texas.
Task Force: Decision To Get Prostate Screening Should Be ‘An Individual One’
The draft guidance issued by the US Preventive Services Task Force is a shift from its 2012 stance that the harms of the screening outweighed the benefits.
In Era Of Health Care Hacks, Some Worry Medical Devices Are Too Vulnerable To Attack
The Food and Drug Administration has become increasingly concerned about the issue and is working to coordinate with other agencies on how to respond if a serious medical device hack were to occur. In other health IT news, patients with diabetes turn to video chats to help manage their disease, and a new study looks at the effectiveness of fitness trackers.
New Biotech Startup Targets Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Suffered By 48M Americans
In other pharmaceutical news, a newly approved drug offers relief for Parkinson’s patients who experience symptoms of psychosis. And a German company eyes Akorn Pharmaceuticals for acquisition.
Something’s Gotta Give: Astronomical Health Costs May Be Driving Industry To Breaking Point
Modern Healthcare looks at how the sky-high cost of medical care is putting an escalating pressure on providers to offer better quality treatment for less.
Lawmakers Call For Dedicated $300M Fund To Fight Epidemics
“We cannot afford to be caught flat-footed or constrained in our ability to respond and provide aid in a timely and comprehensive manner when the next public health crisis emerges,” the lawmakers’ letter states.
Movement To Provide Low-Income Housing For Patients Faces Threat In Form Of Trump Cuts
Many say that being able to provide housing to patients who need it is crucial to solving the country’s health care woes. But cuts President Donald Trump has proposed to housing programs and possible changes to the tax code could undermine their efforts.
Uncertainty Over Health Law Could Be Its Downfall In Industry That Lives And Dies On Predictability
At the same time insurers are having to make a decision to stay in the Affordable Care Act 2018 marketplaces, the future is unclear for the subsidies the industry sees as crucial to survival.
Following ‘Replace’ Debacle, Vulnerable GOP Lawmakers Dodge Town Halls
USA Today looks at which members are facing their constituents during recess — and there are only a few swing-district Republicans who supported the health bill doing so. Meanwhile, ads are being launched from both sides of the aisle over lawmakers’ health care stances.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Drugmaker’s Link To The Opioid Epidemic; Social Justice And Health Education
A collection of public health opinions from around the country.
Perspectives On Reviving The GOP’s Repeal-And-Replace Effort; Obamacare As A Job Creator
Editorial pages across the country include different thoughts on what’s next in Congress in the Affordable Care Act versus Trumpcare face-off and other issues related to overhauling the health care system.
Ideas About Health Care Decisions, Costs And Navigation
Opinion writers describe the puzzling nature of health care costs and medical decisions.
Outlets report on news from Georgia, Connecticut, Minnesota, California, Kentucky, Florida, Maryland, Hawaii, Wisconsin, New York, North Carolina, Ohio and Washington.
New Kansas Law Helps Parents Prevent Hospitals From Using Do-Not-Resusitate Orders On Kids
Kansans for Life, an influential anti-abortion group in the state, helped push the bill. Also in the news, Oklahoma lawmakers are considering a bill to allow out-of-state insurers to sell policies there, the Texas House is weighing transferring funding to a program that helps rehabilitate victims of sex trafficking and the Montana legislature moves toward spending $1 million to help prevent suicide.
Rallies In Boston And Louisville Press For Single-Payer Health System
The demonstrations were part of a national day of action organized by several groups, including Physicians for a National Health Program.
