Latest KFF Health News Stories
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.
Suicide Rate In Female Veterans Has Spiked 85% Since 2001
Overall the suicide rate has gone up 35 percent, with younger veterans particularly affected.
Sanders Weighs In On Drugmaker’s Attempt To Maintain Monopoly On Cholesterol Pill
Sen. Bernie Sanders, along with several other lawmakers, have asked the Food and Drug Administration to approve generic versions of the best-selling Crestor. In other pharmaceutical news, Martin Shkreli’s former company strikes a deal with the former CEO to limit his stakeholder rights.
U.S. To Set Up $40M Fund For Victims Of Deadliest Meningitis Outbreak In U.S. History
Investigators traced the outbreak back to a batch of contaminated steroid injections, and later charged 14 people in a 131-count indictment, alleging employees at the center knew they were producing medication in an unsafe and unsanitary way. Compensating the victims has proven difficult, though.
Key GOP Lawmaker Raises Questions About Limited Medicaid Expansion Plan In Tennessee
The Tennessee proposal, advanced by the state House speaker, would first expand coverage to veterans and people who need mental health services, but it’s not yet clear if federal officials would approve the plan. News outlets also report on Medicaid news from Ohio, Pennsylvania and Capitol Hill.
Medicare Proposes Expansion Of Diabetes Prevention Program
The program, which has been tested in eight states, provides beneficiaries with coaching, lifestyle intervention and moderate physical activity. Also, on Capitol Hill, a House subcommittee approves a bill that would continue a program that aids beneficiaries.
Insurance Mega-Mergers Draw Concern From Federal, State Regulators
Ahead of a scheduled meeting today between Aetna and the U.S. Justice Department, sources say the department has “significant concerns” about the insurer’s proposed acquisition of Humana. Meanwhile, in Connecticut, the proposed Anthem-Cigna merger is raising alarm from the state attorney general over its impact on market competition.
CMS Bans Theranos Founder From Lab For 2 Years, Bars Medicare And Medicaid Payments
The blood-testing startup has been facing intense scrutiny during the past eight months over the efficacy of its practices. The decision by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services penalizes the CEO Elizabeth Holmes and also pulls the license for the company’s California lab.
‘We Are At The 11th Hour And 59th Minute’: Dems, Obama Make Final Push For Zika Funding
The president called Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to personally ask for a bipartisan compromise on Zika funding, but the Republican has said he would stick with the current legislation, which was agreed by House and Senate negotiators and has already passed the House. Lawmakers prepare to leave for a seven-week recess on July 15.
Congressional Republicans Battle Health Law Spending On Two Fronts — The Hill And In Court
After an initial court victory, the Republicans are advancing their arguments that the administration spent money to help defray health care costs for low-income residents without proper appropriations from Congress.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
