Latest KFF Health News Stories
The Key To Reducing Side Effects May Be As Easy As Giving Patients A Choice
A study finds that when patients are able to choose between two medications that do the same thing, they report fewer side effects than those prescribed a single drug. In other news, even though the U.S. gave the industry a boost to develop innovative antibiotics in 2012, many companies are just making slight adjustments to old formulas, and health professionals warn about the dangers for heart patients of mixing drugs.
Partisan Bickering Persists On Hill Over Zika Funding
Neither side shows any evidence of caving, so it’s unlikely the funding will be approved before Congress leaves for a seven-week recess. Meanwhile, KHN talks with the man at the center of the country’s response to the outbreak.
Trump Vows To Revamp VA With 10-Point Plan Centered On Privatization
In a speech outlining his proposal of how to fix veterans’ health care, Donald Trump said they should have the ability to opt out of using VA doctors in favor of private sector health-care providers. Hillary Clinton’s campaign denounced the plan. In other news, Trump will have to strike the right chords on abortion at the upcoming convention if he wants a united backing, strategists advise.
Consultant Says Costs Are Up $25M In Arkansas Plan To Revamp Medicaid Expansion
The announcement to lawmakers dealt with the governor’s proposed changes to the Medicaid program. News outlets also report on Medicaid expansion developments in Georgia, Montana and South Dakota.
Scales Of Federal Power Could Be Tipped By Wonky Insurance Subsidies Battle
The fight between Democrats and Republicans over Affordable Care Act spending goes beyond health care. In other health law news, insurers are fighting legislation aimed at slashing the risk corridor program, and numbers out of Kansas offer a glimpse of stability in an increasingly turbulent marketplace.
In Critiquing His Health Law, Obama Calls For Congress To Revisit Public Option
President Barack Obama writes an article for The Journal of the American Medical Association summarizing the legacy of his signature legislation and offering ways to improve it. Obama also targets high drug prices as a problem that needs to be addressed by the next president.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Zika And Planned Parenthood; The Public Option; Funding For Safety Net Hospitals
A selection of opinions from around the country on health care.
Outlets report on health news from Ohio, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Wyoming, New York, California, Florida, Iowa and Maryland.
Texas Supreme Court Temporarily Blocks Deep Cuts To Disabled Children’s Therapy Program
Texas lawmakers ordered $350 million in cuts for Medicaid programs that provide physical, speech and occupational therapy to disabled children arguing that the state overpaid for those services.
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.
