Latest KFF Health News Stories
As Gene Manipulation Booms, Scientists Wonder, ‘How Far Should We Go?’
The ability to edit genes enmeshes scientists in an ethical debate about what it means to be a person and how the practice could change humanity as we know it.
Advocates See Mixed Impact Of Prince’s Death On Addiction Epidemic Fight
In other opioid news, Purdue Pharma opposes a news outlet’s effort to unseal documents related to how it makes OxyContin and a survey finds that Americans support more action to fight the drug abuse crisis.
CDC: Doctors Too Frequently Prescribing Medication Over Therapy For Kids With ADHD
Three out of four children diagnosed with ADHD are put on medications even though research has found behavioral therapy to be effective. But health insurance coverage of the treatment can vary, and therapists can be hard to find in some areas.
After Abandoning Allergan Deal, Pfizer Optimistic For Strong Year Ahead
The drug maker reported strong first quarter profits of $3.02 billion. In other news, CVS Health also had a good first quarter, with an 18.9-percent revenue boost, while pharmaceutical companies take the top spots on a global ranking of large-cap stocks.
Study Deals Blow To Theory That Health Cost Transparency Would Curb Spending
When consumers were given a health services shopping tool that makes price comparison easier, only 10 percent even logged into it, and there was no evidence that they used the information to save money.
About 6,000 patients who use the Obstetrix Medical Group aren’t sure if their insurer, UnitedHealth, will cover their medical bills. Meanwhile, WellCare reports profits higher than forecasted. And media outlets report other regional insurance news from Illinois and Oregon.
Aide To S.D. Gov. Says Federal Policy Changes Could Make It Easier To Expand Medicaid
State officials are checking whether changes in federal policy for covering Native Americans’ Medicaid costs could free up funding for Medicaid expansion. Also in the news, Louisiana’s governor says his plan to expand Medicaid will help hospitals, and Arkansas political leaders applaud the legislative effort there to keep the state’s program.
Watchdog Finds IRS Calculated Health Law Credits Correctly On 93 Percent Of Returns
In other news, employers say in a poll that they will turn to contract workers more frequently because of the Affordable Care Act, both sides of the aisle in Minnesota’s legislature know that the state’s exchange needs fixing, and insurers say smokers are dodging surcharges.
Researchers Call For Better Tracking Of Medical Errors As They Climb To No. 3 Cause Of Deaths
Only heart disease and cancer take more lives than medical errors in America, and the exact toll is unknown because the coding system used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to record death certificate data doesn’t capture things like communication breakdowns, diagnostic errors and poor judgment that cost lives, says a new study in the journal BMJ.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Health Costs Can Be Contained By States; Tech Media Partially To Blame For Theranos Mess
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets report on health issues in Washington, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, California, Florida, Ohio and North Carolina.
Kansas Lawmakers Pass ‘Mega-Bill’ Focused On Medical Professional Licensing
The bill ran into a late roadblock because of an anti-abortion provision added to the midwives section while the bill was in conference committee. The legislature also added protections to a bill allowing “step therapy” for Medicaid drugs.
Obama Tells Iowa Woman That Her Medicaid Concerns ‘Will Remain On My Mind’
The president’s letter was a response to the woman’s concern that Iowa’s move to privately managed Medicaid will disrupt services for her daughter. News outlets also report on the Iowa governor’s latest statements about that transition and developments in Michigan, Alaska and Florida.
Federal Medicaid Officials Extend $3.1B Texas Hospital Funding Temporarily
The money had been scheduled to end because states had the opportunity to expand Medicaid, which would provide relief to hospitals. Texas opted not to expand the program.
Study Links Poverty, Chronic Health Problems In Children
Access to health care and health literacy may play a part in the increased risk, says the study’s lead researcher Dr. Christian Pulcini. In other public health news, the FDA is focusing on young adults in the LGBT community with its latest anti-smoking campaign; after years of pain and distress one woman finds her cure for debilitating migraines; and a study touts the impact of states’ social services and public health programs.
In A City Where Health Takes A Back Seat To Getting By, One Man Wants To Turn It Around
When Dr. Abdul El-Sayed went after the job of Detroit’s health commissioner he was facing almost insurmountable odds: the department had been all but dismantled, the city was ravaged by poverty and neglect and its health problems ran deep and severe. But El-Sayed knew he wanted to try to help make a difference in his home town.
Foreign Investors See Opioid Epidemic As Pathway To Green Card
The EB-5 program allows foreigners who invest at least $500,000 in a development that creates jobs to qualify for U.S. visas, and those investors are turning keen eyes toward substance abuse and mental health facilities — a marketplace that is booming because of the crisis sweeping the country.
Jury Awards $55M In Talcum Powder Suit, While More Than 1,000 Other Cases Wait In The Wings
Women contend the company knew the risk of its product being linked to ovarian cancer.
Shkreli’s Ex-Company Sued Over Drug It Marked Up 5,000 Percent
Impax Pharmaceuticals says Turing Pharmaceuticals breached its sales contract by failing to reimburse $20 million in Medicaid rebates and provide pricing data for the drug, Daraprim.
