Latest KFF Health News Stories
‘Right To Try’ Experimental Medications Stance May Be Adopted In Republican Platform
Laws have passed in 31 states that allow terminal patients access to unapproved treatments. In other development news, a drug to help severe postpartum depression shows promising results in a clinical trial. And, in a first for a major venture capital firm, Flagship Ventures hires a new chief medical officer.
Democrats Will Support Opioid Bill — But They’re Not Happy About It
The package is expected to come up for a vote Wednesday. While Senate Democrats voice concerns about the legislation, they say they will give it their support. The bill authorizes $181 million for drug abuse and treatment programs but does not appropriate the funds.
Zika Battle Rages On As Republicans Dig In With Take-It-Or-Leave-It Stance
On Tuesday, Senate Republicans rejected a new Democratic proposal aimed at finding a middle ground in the battle over Zika funding.
Dems Signal Renewed Interest In Public Option, But Hospitals Want It Out Of Platform
Adding a public option to the insurance market has gained traction of late as both Hillary Clinton and President Barack Obama have voiced support for it. But not everyone thinks it’s a good idea.
CMS Counters Attacks That Health Law Insurance Costs Are Too High For Consumers
The agency’s report shows that when factoring in financial assistance from the government, the median deductible that consumers actually pay for Obamacare health plans is $850 this year. That’s down $50 from the past year. Meanwhile, another co-op is shutting down.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Calif. Lawmakers And ‘Scourge’ Of Surprise Medical Bills; Opioid Bill Needs Funding
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Outlets report on health news from Missouri, California, Texas, New Hampshire, Florida and Minnesota.
Patient Who Helped Force Washington Medicaid To Cover Hep C Drugs Savors Victory
Adam Rabb of Olympia, one of the plaintiffs in a lawsuit that forced Washington state to cover the expensive drugs for Medicaid enrollees, has begun receiving the medication. But he worries about other patients who haven’t heard about the court injunction and may not know they can get medicine. Also in Medicaid news are concerns about toddlers falling out of the program and an audit finds some oversight problems in New Jersey.
Study Examines Explosion Of Cancer Center Advertising That Often Plays On Patients’ Emotions
Researchers found that just 20 centers accounted for 86 percent of ad spending in 2014, with for-profit Cancer Treatment Centers of America laying out the most with $101.7 million.
Parents, Let Your Kids Get A Little Dirty; New Study Suggests It Has Health Benefits.
Researchers find that children who suck their thumbs or bite their nails are less likely to develop allergies later in their lives, which could support the theory that exposure to microbes does have health benefits. Also in public health news: the long-term effects of protesting, a second person with the superbug gene, workers’ habit of going into work sick, and more.
Families Turning To Unorthodox Autism Treatments, But There’s Little Science To Back Them Up
Almost 90 percent of parents of a child with autism have tried alternative therapy treatments, but there’s little guidance from the medical community on what are effective options. Meanwhile, a study finds that there have been improvements made for children being diagnosed and treated for autism, but it’s not enough.
There’s No Vaccine, There’s No Cure, But Experts Say We Can End AIDS
PBS NewsHour takes a look at the AIDS epidemic and the plan to bring it under control.
Inmates Are Dying With Disturbing Frequency From Opioid Withdrawal
What makes the growing number of people dying in jails troubling to advocates is that, while very unpleasant, withdrawal is not often life-threatening. In other news, voters want to see the opioid epidemic addressed by the national parties’ convention platforms while more coverage of the crisis comes out of the states.
Legislation Outlawing Malware Used To Ransom Hospitals Gets Support In California
The proposed law would upgrade the use of such ransomware to a felony. Elsewhere, news outlets cover health IT developments related to buying insurance on a smartphone, providing emergency personnel with medical information from an app and distracting tech-savvy kids before surgery.
Advocacy Groups Demand Speaker End House’s Planned Parenthood Investigation
The groups, led by the ACLU, write in a letter to Paul Ryan that the work of the select committee has “gone well beyond that scope and engaged in a fishing expedition in an apparent attempt to ratify a discredited smear campaign against Planned Parenthood.” Elsewhere, lawyers for abortion clinics in Alabama ask a judge to block new state laws.
The $20K-Pay Gap: Female Physicians In Academia Make Significantly Less Than Male Counterparts
The analysis examines data on roughly 10,000 physician faculty members at 24 medical schools, including those of the University of North Carolina and the University of Washington.
Humana’s Stock Being Sold In Droves On News Of DOJ’s Skepticism Over Aetna Deal
Meanwhile, New York has conditionally offered approval of the takeover, and Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., is urging Aetna to stay in the state regardless of the decision on the merger.
FDA Proposes Guidelines For Compounding Pharmacies’ Ability To Make Copies Of Drugs
Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration commissioner calls for a more robust evaluation process for medical devices. In other news, the Cures Bill, which would have strong impact for the agency, is likely on hold until the next Congress. And, recent FDA approvals of a new heart device and drug to treat dry eye also make headlines.
Drugmakers And Patient, Doctors’ Groups Seem To Link Opposition To Medicare Payment Change
A USA Today examination finds nearly identical language used by a physician trade group and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association (PhRMA) to oppose a proposal by Medicare to change the way it pays for drugs administered in doctors’ offices. The paper also notes that the points made by patient groups funded by drugmakers that oppose the project track closely with the doctors’ and industry’s. Also in the news, drugmakers are spending big on California campaigns.
