Latest KFF Health News Stories
Outlets report on health news from Illinois, California, Florida, Missouri, Massachusetts, Ohio and Georgia.
Nursing Homes Phase Out Alarms In Favor Of Proactive Care, Other Measures To Reduce Falls
The Associated Press reports on this national trend among nursing facilities. Meanwhile, in Ohio, evictions top the list of reported problems for such facilities.
Report: Number Of Psychiatric Beds In State Hospitals Has Drastically Declined
“The numbers are so bad that people almost don’t believe them,” said John Snook, the executive director of the Treatment Advocacy Center, which released the report. In other news, Massachusetts issues new “fresh air” rules and the New Hampshire health commissioner is promising the state psychiatric hospital will be adequtely staffed after physicians and nurses quit en masse over a contract dispute.
Connecticut Officials Say 15% Of Those Losing Medicaid Have Found New Coverage
State officials estimate that nearly 14,000 residents, mostly low-income parents, will lose their coverage under new Medicaid rules that take effect Aug. 1. News outlets also look at a budget gap for Ohio’s Medicaid program and a new addiction treatment benefit for New Hampshire residents covered by Medicaid.
A Doctor’s Quest To End Gun Violence: ‘In Medicine We See A Problem And Say Let’s Act’
Dr. Jay Kaplan wants to know what Congress is afraid of when it comes to funding research on gun violence. In other public health news, the spotlight continues to fall on lead in schools’ water, new inventions are targeting those that are moderately obese, and other stories.
Gene Mutation Offers Promise Of Addiction-Free Pain Management
Pharmaceutical companies are eyeing a gene that produces a pain-related protein as a way to turn pain on and off without using opioids. In other news in genetic research, women who have the BRCA1 gene have a higher risk of uterine cancer and critics say the study of epigenetics needs to be overhauled.
New Reports On Zika Provoke Heightened Interest In Sexual Transmission Risk
Although some have doubts about the data, experts say the reports showing women in Latin America are much more likely to be infected than men, although both are presumed to be equally exposed to mosquitoes, should prompt a new focus on how the virus is transmitted through sexual activity. Meanwhile, The Hill offers a look at how Planned Parenthood has become central to the Zika funding battle.
As Musicians Age, Medical Bills From Hard-And-Fast Lifestyle Can Be Daunting
Older musicians are struggling as royalty checks get smaller, and medical costs mount from a life on the road. Meanwhile, Louisiana’s newly expanded Medicaid program is helping musicians who have never had stable health care before.
A New Specialty For Doctors: Overnight Shifts
Hospitals, in an effort to boost patient safety, are beginning to employ “nocturnalists,” or doctors who are hired explicitly to work in the hospital overnight. Residents — doctors in training — and nurses often have managed patients during these off hours, with help from attending, or staff, physicians on-call at home.
Aetna Reportedly May Sell Medicare Advantage Assets To Ease Concerns About Humana Merger
The insurance company reportedly hopes the move will help ease antitrust concerns as it seeks an acquisition of another insurer, Humana. Also, federal Medicare officials announce a new rule that will allow some companies access to claims data.
UnitedHealthcare Claims Dialysis Chain Engaged In Fraudulent, Illegal Billing Scheme
The lawsuit, filed by UnitedHealthcare, alleges the for-profit dialysis chain American Renal Associates Holdings Inc. illegally pushed poor people in Florida and Ohio to leave inexpensive government programs and sign up for private plans sold by UnitedHealthcare so the dialysis chain could get higher reimbursements from the insurer.
Abortion Providers Sue Over La. Laws Following Supreme Court Ruling
The clinics say seven abortion-related laws enacted in the state this year are unconstitutional. Elsewhere, Mississippi’s only abortion clinic breathes a sigh of relief after the ruling, and even though a judge blocked an Indiana abortion law, other regulations in the state have led to a nearly 20 percent drop in the number of procedures being performed.
High Court’s Health-Related Decisions Draw Some Cheers, Some Anxiety From Industry
Modern Healthcare takes a look at the cases that health care leaders focused on this term.
Shake-Up In S.D. Legislative Races May Dim Governor’s Efforts To Expand Medicaid
The success of several conservatives in the South Dakota Senate primary races over more moderate candidates could make it difficult for Gov. Dennis Daugaard’s efforts to provide Medicaid coverage to more state residents. Meanwhile in Tennessee, the house speaker has unveiled a plan to broaden Medicaid, and Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin’s plan to revamp that state’s expansion efforts is hitting opposition.
Meanwhile, in other news related to the health law and the insurance market, despite efforts to enroll young adults in health plans, they still face challenges. In addition, graduate students’ health insurance subsidies may be in jeopardy.
Critics: Letting Generic Drugmaker Join PhRMA Akin To Allowing A Spy Into The Fold
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries’ request to join the powerful trade association has caused alarm in the industry. Teva and some of PhRMA’s longtime members, like Eli Lilly, are on opposite sides of court cases involving patents and other important issues for the future of brand-name drug companies. In other news, a California initiative to curb high drug prices concerns patient advocacy groups, and states are lifting Medicaid restrictions on an expensive hepatitis C treatment.
Democrats’ Draft Platform Includes Nod To Public Option, New Abortion Goal
The Democrats, for the first time, want to attempt to repeal the Hyde amendment , a congressional mandate that cuts off federal funds for most kinds of abortion.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: Local Health Resources; Plan Losses; Medicare Advantage Networks
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
