Latest KFF Health News Stories
CMS Says It Will Release Hospital Star Ratings ‘Shortly’
The quality ratings were set to be released last spring but members of Congress and the hospital industry raised questions about the criteria.
Feds Award $60M More To Battle Zika Just As Virus Is Found In More Widespread Mosquito
After discovering Zika in the Culex mosquito, scientists are warning that more research is needed. But if they begin detecting the virus in the species in large numbers and on a consistent basis, experts say “that would be a game changer.”
Advocates In Kansas, Florida Say Expanding Medicaid Would Relieve Stresses Of Uninsured
Speakers at a political meeting in Kansas and a new report in Florida urge state leaders to reconsider decisions not to expand Medicaid under the federal health law.
In 2017, Humana Will Reduce Its Health Marketplace Sales, Shrinking From 19 States To 11
The company said it may also get out of the non-exchange markets too.
Bedeviled Theranos Brings On Compliance, Regulatory Executives
Theranos said the hires represent the company’s latest in a series of “significant actions” to make sure its laboratories, medical products and operations meet the highest standards.
States Join Federal Antitrust Effort Against Anthem-Cigna Deal
The District of Columbia and 11 states, including California, New Hampshire and Tennessee, have joined the Justice Department’s lawsuit.
Justice Department Sues To Block Health Care Mega-Mergers
The department says the Aetna-Humana and Anthem-Cigna deals would lead to higher prices and reduced benefits for consumers.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Justice Department Sues To Block Health Care Mega-Mergers
The department says the Aetna-Humana and Anthem-Cigna mergers would lead to higher prices and reduced benefits for consumers.
Viewpoints: The Meaning Of Skyrocketing Premiums; Congress’ Inaction On Zika
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: Miracle Microbes; Zika And The Brain; And Depression In Doctors
Each week, KHN finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Outlets report on health news from Vermont, Maine, Minnesota, Connecticut, Texas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Maryland, Ohio, Florida, California, Iowa and Georgia.
False Alarm: Incendiary Study Showing Prostate Cancer Spike Challenged
The American Cancer Society says the study’s methods do not pass muster with statistics experts, so the increase may not be real. In other news, a pilot program in California aims to better track cancer diagnoses.
Study Raises Doubts About Link Between Regulations On Prescription Opioids, Heroin Use
The analysis finds that the relationship between the opioid and heroin epidemics isn’t consistent with a narrative that stricter control over the prescription drugs is causing users to turn to heroin. A different study finds that Medicare beneficiaries have the highest rate of “opioid use disorder.”
Higher Rates Of Intravenous Drug Use May Contribute To Gay Teens’ Increased HIV Risk
A new report finds no significant difference between gay or bisexual male teens’ sexual behavior and that of straight males. But they were over five times more likely to use injected drugs. In other public health news, prisons are a hotbed for infectious diseases which spread to the general public when an inmate is released and researchers unlock an 85-year-old genetic mystery.
From Ultrasounds To Speech Therapy: Zika’s Long-Term Price Tag Incalculable
Treating the virus and its effects will likely cost billions upon billions of dollars for 2016 alone. But so many unknowns remain about the long-term price tag. In other news, a research team has received the go-ahead to begin testing a vaccine on humans, Florida officials are testing local mosquitoes for the virus, and an infectious disease expert weighs in on the investigation into the first possible U.S.-based case of Zika.
The Race Is On: Developers Look To Smart Devices To Help Patients Stick To Asthma Therapy
Meanwhile, a company has come up with a shoe designed to reduce hip, knee and back pain.
New Brain Map Offers Unprecedented Glimpse Into How Mind Works
Scientists created the map with advanced scanners and computers running artificial intelligence programs that “learned” to identify the brain’s hidden regions, resulting in a new atlas that details nearly 100 previously unknown regions.
Massachusetts Lacks Legal Tools To Go After Cases Involving Doctors, Sexual Abuse
District Attorney Marian Ryan says Massachusetts’ high court has previously ruled that the state law governing rape does not cover instances in which someone obtains consent through fraud. “There’s no real point in saying to someone let’s go forward when you know you are going to lose,’’ Ryan said.
Nearly 30 Percent Of Ill Patients Suffer Additional Harm Under Care At Rehab Hospitals
A government reports finds that 29 percent of people sent to a medical facility to recover after a stroke, surgery or injury are further harmed by a mistake in care like a medication error, bedsore or infection.
