Latest KFF Health News Stories
U.N. Chief: Progress Against AIDS ‘Inadequate – And Fragile’
His comments came on the opening day of the 21st International AIDS conference. News outlets also report on both international and domestic issues related to curbing the disease’s spread.
Benefits Of Electroshock For Some Depression Patients Outweigh Risks: FDA
In other mental health treatment news, free counseling is offered by black doctors in Atlanta for racial trauma and in Minneapolis for children coping with a loss while groups find that kids and seniors both benefit from intergenerational activities.
More Than 1 In 4 LGBT Adults Could Not Afford Food In Last Year: Report
In other news related to Americans’ eating habits, a new app aims to help consumers navigate nutrition and exercise, farm subsidies go toward crops that contribute to obesity and more states consider a soda tax.
Addiction Law Fails To Adequately Strengthen Opioid Tracking System, Critics Say
Language was eliminated from the final bill that would have only provided grants to states that required physicians to check drug databases before they wrote a painkiller prescription. Doctors lobbied against the provision, saying it was too burdensome. And marijuana laws make news in Texas and New Hampshire.
Hospital Roundup: Ransomware Attacks Worry Congress; A Rise In ‘Microhospitals’
In other news related to the hospital industry, a Georgia court case tests privacy laws, CEOs discuss gun violence and race relations, a nasty budget fights hits a Massachusetts agency that tracks health care costs, Catholic Health System works on turnaround plan and a Florida family sues a hospital for forcing a patient release.
Health Innovations: Tiny Robot Could Mend Stomach Troubles; Growing A Hip Replacement
Gene editing and a new spinal surgery guidance system also make headlines.
Drugmakers Looking At Creative Ways To Attract Patients To Clinical Trials
Researchers count on about 1.7 million patients to participate in drug trials around the world each year, but they are resorting to new methods of helping consumers find out about the opportunities and participate because they have trouble retaining patients. In other drug developments, Glaxo scientists and federal prosecutors wrestle over access to trade secrets; questions about whether Pfizer will split into two parts; Teva, a generic drug maker, joins the pharmaceutical industry’s trade group; and other news.
Starbucks Will Give Employees Access To Private Insurance Exchange Options
Workers at the coffee company will be able to select a plan from as many as six national and regional carriers, instead of the one currently offered, starting in October. And casino owner Carl Icahn withdraws a health care offer in the labor dispute at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, N.J.
Hispanic Women Were Most Impacted By Texas’ Abortion Law
Meanwhile, outlets report on a range of women’s health developments including pregnancy with reimplanted ovaries; mammograms and breast density; episiotomies; and other news.
Advocates Press Missouri Governor To Halt Plan To Move Medicaid To More Managed Care
The state is planning to move all children and parents covered by Medicaid into managed care plans by next May, but consumer groups say the change doesn’t guarantee better care or savings. Also, federal officials ask Utah to get more public comment on its Medicaid expansion plan, and Indiana’s efforts on expansion are not expected to change with a new governor coming onboard next year.
How Medicare Advantage Plans Factor Into Aetna-Humana Proposed Mega-Merger
CNBC reports that if the acquisition gets a regulatory green light, the combined company’s Medicare Advantage enrollment would be nearly 4.5 million members, which is about 25 percent of this year’s national enrollment. Also in the news, compounding pharmacies are increasingly under scrutiny as a new frontier for Medicare fraudsters.
California Bracing For Hefty Insurance Rate Increases
Covered California is scheduled to unveil its 2017 rates today, and experts predict that the increases could be far higher than in previous years. Also, outlets report on insurance co-op news in Wisconsin, New Mexico and Oregon.
Health Officials Probing Mysterious Transmission In Fatal Utah Zika Case
The disease does not appear to have been transmitted through a mosquito bite or sexual contact, the two ways previously identified by researchers for Zika to spread.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Obama On Health Law’s Shortfalls; Premium Spikes; Ky. Medicaid Debate
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Outlets report on health news from New York, Maryland, Texas, West Virginia, Massachusetts, Tennessee, California, Florida, Minnesota, Missouri and Ohio.
States Seek Ways To Allow Seniors To Stay In Their Homes, Avoid Nursing Homes
The efforts, which are designed to meet the wishes and needs of frail elderly, could also help cut the states’ Medicaid spending. News outlets also report on Medicaid developments in Iowa, Ohio, Connecticut and North Carolina.
Hope For AIDS Cure Gains Traction In Face Of Profound Challenges
Although many researchers are setting their sights on a less ambitious goal, talk of finding a cure leads the 21st International AIDS Conference, and many are starting to think it might be a possibility. In other news, photographer Gideon Mendel talks about his project with HIV patients.
Incentive To Game Organ Donation System, Worsen Patient’s Condition Tempts Doctors
The transplant list is based the severity of a patient’s condition. So should doctors try to game the system to get an organ? In other public health news, employers are using wellness plans to combat stress for their workers and a program uses horses to reduce teen suicides.
Spate Of Violence Sparks Pediatricians’ Campaign To Combat Toxic Stress In Young Patients
“Toxic stress” caused by racism and violence can take a heavy toll on the learning, behavior, and health of children, experts say, and American Academy of Pediatrics is going beyond just the usual recommendations to try to address it. Meanwhile, in West Virginia, residents and mental health officials are still coping with the trauma caused by recent flooding.
