Morning Breakouts

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Experimental Texas Clinics Treat Emotional And Physical Trauma Of Foster Kids

Morning Briefing

The models provide mental health services at every point of a child’s medical treatment, as well as guidance for caregivers. Meanwhile in Chicago, telehealth startup Regroup Therapy raises $1.8 million for virtual mental health services.

Patients Saved By Naloxone Too Often Succumbing Quickly To Another Overdose

Morning Briefing

If Prince died from opioids, he follows a dangerous pattern that is a growing frustration for first responders: saving a life only to lose it shortly after to another overdose. Meanwhile, a warrant reveals that Prince was seeing a doctor in the month before his death.

Opioid Epidemic Becomes Key Talking Point For Vulnerable Senate Candidates In Hard-Hit States

Morning Briefing

Republican senators such as Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, Rob Portman of Ohio and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania have all run ads or talked about their experience in combating the issue. In other news, the House overwhelmingly passes the first three pieces of an 18-bill opioid package slated for consideration this week, and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo appoints a task force to address the crisis.

Obama Administration Rushing To Finish Work On Health Care Initiatives

Morning Briefing

Among the issues officials are still trying to iron out are efforts to cut drug prices and improve primary care delivery. Nonetheless, Democrats are nervous that insurance premiums coming out in October could have an impact on the election. And industry and health experts are unsure what effect the proposed mergers in the insurance industry would have on the market.

N.M. Officials Say Medicaid Reimbursement Cuts Will Help Shrink Shortfall

Morning Briefing

The expected payment reductions to hospitals, physicians and other health providers — as well as accounting changes — will get the budget gap down to $24 million, state officials said. Also, Medicaid advocates in Iowa are urging vigilance on the efforts of the new private managed care plans in that state.

New Prostate Cancer Tests Try To Reduce Unnecessary Biopsies, Treatments

Morning Briefing

New testing aims to identify harmless tumors from those that are lethal, but the tests don’t always provide useful information and they can add to costs. In other cancer news, a study finds that African American lung cancer patients living in low-income neighborhoods are less likely to get surgery than those living in more affluent areas.

Pop-Tarts Vs. Almonds: FDA To Review Antiquated Definition Of ‘Healthy’

Morning Briefing

What food the agency deems healthy is constrained by rules first defined in the 1990s when low-fat content was the main concern of health professionals and sugar wasn’t even on the radar. Under the current guidelines, a sugary cereal might be called healthier than salmon or nuts. “The problem, of course, is that the foodscape can change quickly, but Food and Drug Administration regulations change very slowly,” says David Katz, director of the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center.