Latest KFF Health News Stories
CDC Rethinks Zika Guidance After First Case Of Female-To-Male Sexual Transmission
Until now, CDC’s guidance to prevent sexual transmission was based on the assumption that any spread occurs from a man to his partners.
Governors Target Opioid Abuse At Summit: ‘It Truly Is An All-Hands-On-Deck Moment’
State leaders gathered in Iowa for the National Governors Association meeting where they devoted a session on Friday to addressing the opioid epidemic ravaging the country. In other news, an opioid for elephants is showing up in street drugs, Maryland’s decision to exclude a medication used to taper addiction from its Medicaid preferred drugs list draws criticism and the crisis hits Florida’s youngest residents.
‘This Is A New Day’: How Precision Initiative Could Topple Traditional Medicine
Dr. Eric Topol, 62, talks with Stat about technology and the future of precision medicine. In other news, virtual reality is proving to be an effective — if unexpected — treatment for PTSD, and a panel to implement telemedicine in Florida gets off to a strong start.
Drugmakers Deploy New Patents To Delay Generic Versions Of Humira And Enbrel
In other pharmaceutical news, clinical trials of a new intravenous drug show promise in treating postpartum depression. And federal investigators see rising fraud and overbilling cases as government spending on compounding drugs skyrockets.
Costs Are Lower, Quality Is Higher When Insurers Compete For Consumers: HHS Secretary Burwell
Elsewhere, insurance companies and employers are facing off with out-of-network providers in Texas courts in multiple lawsuits over charges and payments. Meanwhile, California Healthline looks at the class-action suit filed against Blue Shield of California.
Pence’s Unwavering Crusade Against Abortion And What It Means For Trump
By picking Mike Pence, Donald Trump adds a social-issues warrior with a very conservative track record to his ticket. Pence’s unbending stance on abortion rights may hurt Trump’s support among women and help with anti-abortion voters.
After Failed Attempts To Expand Medicaid, Tennessee Weighing Different Options
The two-pronged plan, which grew out of legislative task force meetings around the state, would first expand coverage to low-income residents with mental health issues and to veterans. Also in the news, Medicaid expansion proves more popular than expected in Ohio and Montana.
Will Federal Officials Practice What They Preach Over Aggressive Insurance Rate Reviews?
Four states — Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming — have left it up to the federal government to review rate increases. And while officials have urged states to take a firm stance on unwarranted spikes, it is unclear if they will significantly pare back rates themselves. In other news, the calls to “repeal and replace” the health law grow shakier now that so many Americans are covered.
Note to readers: We would love to hear your thoughts on our newsletters. Click here to take a short survey to tell us what you think. Here are today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: No Zika Funding; Some Insurers’ Find Success On Marketplaces
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: Va. GOP Lawmakers Create Health Facilities Group; Blue Shield Of California Sued
Outlets report on health news from Virginia, California, New York, Florida, Texas, Wisconsin, Iowa and Oklahoma.
Planned Parenthood Sues Arizona Over ‘Thinly Veiled’ Attempt To Cut Medicaid Funding
The law signed by Republican Gov. Doug Ducey in May allows the state to cut off all funding to providers if they don’t fully segregate money they get for non-abortion services from non-government cash that pays for abortions.
Urges To Gamble? Purple Sweat? Some Medications Carry Rare But ‘Scary’ Side Effects
Other public health developments related to hepatitis mortality rates, a possible new treatment for a neurological disorder, cutting sugar from yogurt, tainted flour and the link between earlier death and weight also make today’s headlines.
Gonorrhea On Track To Becoming Untreatable
The bacteria is becoming resistant to the only antibiotics that still cure the sexually transmitted disease. In other news, Florida health officials are cautioning residents about a deadly flesh-eating bacteria, and scientists want to track city rats to better understand their potential threat to public health.
Mass K2 Overdoses In NYC Add To Sudden Surge Of Cases Plaguing City
On Tuesday, 33 people were treated after overdosing on the synthetic drug K2. That’s about one-fourth of the cases that New York City’s emergency rooms have seen this week. “The users of K2 are literally playing Russian roulette with their bodies,” said Robert Messner, of the police department.
N.H. In David Vs. Goliath Fight Against Opioid-Makers
The state – without any outside assistance – has three lawyers working on an investigation around the marketing of the companies’ painkillers. The pharmaceutical companies have 19. Media outlets also report on developments on the drug epidemic in Massachusetts, Louisiana and Pennsylvania.
It’s Futile To Try To Stop Spread Of Zika, But Epidemic Will Burn Itself Out, Study Suggests
It has already shown signs of slowing down, and will likely grind to a halt within the next three years, researchers say.
In Effort To Fix Wait Times, VA Has Created Opportunity For Fraud, Critics Say
Critics say the current system reduces the evidence required to prove disability and prioritizes speedy processing over checking for fraudulent claims. In other news, veterans are being diagnosed with a brain injury they don’t have.
Medicare, FDA Officials Call For Medical Devices To Have ID Numbers On Billing Records
The numbers on devices such as heart defibrillators and hip and knee joints may help detect safety problems that develop with use and could provide for better value-based reimbursement based on device performance, advocates say.
Outdated Laws Allow Social Media Abuse In Nursing Homes To Run Rampant
Many state law regulating abuse against adults were updated before social media apps became the norm. Now, lawmakers are a step behind as the number of cases in which a nursing home resident is exploited online grows. Meanwhile, in Florida, the state has ordered an emergency shutdown of an assisted living facility for turning a “blind eye to the health” of its residents.
