Latest KFF Health News Stories
Navy To Start Considering If PTSD Is Underlying Cause Of Misconduct In Discharge Cases
Before, if a member of the Navy was discharged due to misconduct — thus losing their benefits — the action or erratic behavior would take precedence. Now, diagnosable conditions, such as PTSD, will be taken into account.
Lax Rules And Funding Challenges Weaken Lead Testing At Schools
Meanwhile, Kaiser Health News reports on a new study that tries to quantify the extent chemicals accumulate in Americans.
Bill Gates Cautions On Overly Optimistic Slogans In Health Care
The billionaire philanthropist sat down with Stat to talk about public health, biotechnology, the 2016 elections and more.
Philadelphia Approves Soda Tax Despite Multi-Million Dollar Campaign To Thwart It
It is the first major American city to enact a tax on sugary and diet beverages.
Senate Moves To Iron Out Differences With House Over Opioid Bill
The chambers will set up a conference committee to reconcile the differences in their legislation. Meanwhile, media outlets report on news about the opioid crisis in Ohio, Kentucky and New Hampshire.
Officials Report U.S. Zika Infections In 234 Pregnant Women And 6 Cases Of Birth Defects
The government did not give much information about the six pregnancies, except to say three children had been born with abnormalities and three had died before birth.
Score A Win For A Local Gov’t In Fight To Get Drugmakers To Pay Cost Of Take-Back Program
Snohomish County, Wash., officials voted this week to require drug companies to run a program to help consumers get rid of unwanted and unused medicines. In Los Angeles County, however, the Board of Supervisors pushed off consideration of a similar ordinance until November. At that time, the officials also will review an existing disposal program for which the pharmaceutical industry does not pay the tab.
Upcoming Medicare Trustees’ Report Could Set Debate On Solvency, Need For Independent Panel
Modern Healthcare examines the issues for which experts will be watching in the Social Security and Medicare trustees’ report. Also, Politico looks at the Medicare drug fight, and KHN reports on a Senate bill that will end funding for a Medicare navigator program.
Though Spared From Deep Medicaid Cuts, Okla. Rural Hospitals Still Confront Financial Struggles
In other hospital news, an Envision executive said his company’s recently announced merger with AmSurg is fueled by a trend among facilities to have a single point of contact for outsourced physician staffing. Meanwhile, in New Hampshire, Exeter Hospital is arguing that a staffing agency should pay a share of settlement costs stemming from a hepatitis C outbreak scare that traced back to a troubled former technician. Also, Indian Health Service principal deputy director Mary Smith told The Associated Press that she believes legislation advanced in the Senate would aid her department’s efforts to fix issues at its hospitals across the country.
When It Comes To Health Costs, Price Transparency Tools Not The Panacea Some May Have Hoped
The power of big data to help shoppers make sophisticated health care decisions is being questioned. Meanwhile, rising health care costs have supported underlying inflation, and out-of-network bills are contributing to New Jersey’s health care costs that are among the highest in the nation.
California Regulator Slams Anthem-Cigna Deal, Calls On U.S. To Block Merger
California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones says the deal would likely result in higher costs for consumers and businesses, fewer choices for coverage and lower quality of care. His recommendation cannot derail the deal, but it could influence the U.S. Department of Justice’s decision.
Experts: FDA Has To Evaluate Already-Relaxed Blood Restrictions Before Lifting Ban Entirely
The Food and Drug Administration will need to determine whether the move to a one-year waiting period for gay and bisexual men affected the blood supply, both in terms of quantity and safety. And that could take years. Meanwhile, the doctors at Orlando Regional Medical Center talk about the aftermath of the massacre.
Portman On Failed Ohio Co-Op: HHS Owes Consumers A Solution To A Problem It Created
Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) wrote a letter to the administration asking what it plans to do for the residents who had coverage through the co-op. Meanwhile, what should you do in the face of next year’s spiking premiums? CBS has some suggestions.
Clinton Takes In More Pharma Donations Than All GOP Presidential Candidates Combined
The $240,000 Hillary Clinton’s campaign has received from employees of America’s 15 biggest pharmaceutical companies is also double that of her primary opponent, Bernie Sanders. Clinton has been vocal on the trail about addressing rising drug costs. Meanwhile, she’s released ads in Ohio that highlight her CHIP efforts while first lady.
High Court Avoids Straightforward False Claims Ruling But Sets Limits For Future Cases
In its 8-0 decision on Universal Health Services v. Escobar, the court tried to strike a balance between combating health care fraud and protecting companies from what could be viewed as limitless False Claims Act cases, experts say.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: Kicking The Opioid Habit; The IUD Revolution; And Assisted Suicide
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Outlets report on health news from New York, Minnesota, Texas, Ohio, California and Maryland.
Psychiatrists At N.H. Hospital Threaten To Leave En Masse Over Labor Dispute
The Executive Council has voted 5-0 to allow Dartmouth-Hitchcock to take over managing the state psychiatric hospital in Concord, but the majority of psychiatrists there refuse to work with Dartmouth-Hitchcock.
