Latest KFF Health News Stories
Study: For LGBT Women, Tailored Mindfulness Approach Key To Weight Loss Success
Instead of focusing on the aesthetics of weight loss, like many programs do, a study appeals to gay and bisexual women’s desire to improve overall health. In other public health news, a woman continues to fight for an autism treatment even after its success fades for her son, “healthy buildings” offer residents wellness perks, shortages persist for organ donations, and other stories.
Dallas Shooting: ‘It Was Like A War Zone,’ ER Doctors Recount
The emergency medicine team at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas talks about the night of the shooting. “It’s one thing to drill and practice it, and it’s another thing to do it,” said Dr. Stephen Burgher.
Utah Reports First Zika-Related Death In Continental U.S.
The patient was elderly and had an underlying health condition. In other news, as Congress struggles to reach a deal over Zika funding, senior health officials warn that Ebola could ignite back into a pressing threat at any time, and lawmakers work to create a FEMA-like emergency health care fund.
OxyContin-Maker Purdue Kept Quiet While Los Angeles Drug Ring Thrived
The drugmaker tracked the clinic that was prescribing a jaw-dropping amount of OxyContin — one employee wrote in an email: “I feel very certain this is an organized drug ring…” — but said nothing to the DEA until years later. Meanwhile the Los Angeles Times also looks at the Washington city that was ravaged by the drug ring.
FDA Roundup: Weight-Loss Device Gets Mixed Doctor Reactions; E-Cigarette Rules Challenged In Court
News outlets cover the latest developments related to the Food and Drug Administration.
‘Moon Shot’ Will Just Maintain Status Quo For Expensive Cancer Drugs, Experts Say
Vice President Joe Biden could try to tackle high costs for cancer treatments with his cancer initiative, but so far he has not indicated that it will be a priority. In other news, California lawmakers are hoping that shining a spotlight on drugmakers will help lower prices.
Consumer Group: Many Lawmakers Opposing Medicare Change Got Drugmakers’ Contributions
Public Citizen reports that 310 lawmakers who were critical of a proposal to change how doctors were paid for Medicare Part B drugs received a total of more than $7.2 million from pharmaceutical and health products companies for their 2016 campaigns.
Providers, Insurers Play Blame Game Over Patients’ Surprise Medical Bills
Physicians groups say the problem is insurance coverage gaps while insurers counter that more doctors are rejecting in-network rates, then charging out-of-network fees that are many times higher. In other news, The Fiscal Times offers tips to contain high medical costs, and adult children are being held financially responsible for their parents’ nursing home bills.
Aetna Seeks To Assuage DOJ’s Anti-Competition Concerns Over Humana Merger
Company executives met with Justice Department officials on Friday to deliver assurances that they will address competitive concerns through asset sales. WellCare and Centene are among the insurers who have offered to buy its Medicare Advantage plans.
Experts Cautious Over TennCare’s Ambitious Mental Health Push
Under the proposed plan, the state’s Medicaid program would cover people who have a qualifying diagnosis of a mental illness or substance abuse disorder. And though many in the health care industry are cheered by the proposal, some worry about how it will be implemented.
Rural Americans Make Greater Insurance Gains Under Health Law Than Urban Residents: HHS
In other ACA news, the medical device tax hits some small businesses.
With Eye On Sanders’ Endorsement, Clinton Offers Expanded Health Care Proposal
Hillary Clinton reaffirms her support for a “public option” and proposes doubling funding for “federally qualified” health centers, which serve about 25 million low-income people in the U.S. Meanwhile, Donald Trump will lay out his vision for veterans’ health care, and a new video from KHN looks at why the presidential candidates’ proposals for regulating drug prices may not be good ideas.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: Lack Of Psychiatrists; ACOs And Mental Health Care; Medicaid And Asthma
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Outlets report on health news from Kansas, Indiana, New York, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Florida.
Study Finds Visible Damage On Brain 6 Months After Concussion
Although there is mounting evidence that concussions have long-term health effects, they are often treated as temporary, and the patient can be cleared as recovered in about two weeks. But a new study shows neurological changes up to six months following the injury. In other public health news, scientists find another gene that makes bacteria resistant to our most powerful antibiotic, a three-parent fertilization technique may be tried in humans, a synthetic stingray could inspire an artificial heart and a woman with stiff person syndrome raises awareness for the rare disease.
The Addiction To Eating: ‘My Whole Life, I Was Constantly Thinking About Food’
The science is not clear on whether food can be an addiction, but for those struggling to control the cravings, it can feel like one.
Drugmaker Lags In Providing Required Test On Opioid’s Effect On Teens
When Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals received approval for a drug called Xartemis XR two years ago, the Food and Drug Administraiton required a study about the effects on teenagers. That study still hasn’t been submitted.
CDC: HPV-Related Cancers Have Risen Sharply Despite Availability Of Effective Vaccine
Although experts are warning that men are facing an epidemic of HPV-related cancers, only 22 percent of boys between 13 and 17 are properly vaccinated against HPV in 2014. In other news, black women are at greater risk of dying of breast cancer and researchers want to know why, a company halts its immunotherapy trial after three patients die and a cancer coalition reaches out to a community that has distrust in invasive medical procedures.
