Latest KFF Health News Stories
Longer Looks: The $629 Band-Aid; Venezuela’s Failing Health System; Going Gluten-Free
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Outlets report on health news in Georgia, Illinois, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Virginia, Colorado, South Carolina, Iowa, Florida and Ohio.
Kansas Cuts $56 Million From Medicaid To Help Close Budget Shortfall
The cuts to the health program serving low-income residents include a reduction in reimbursements to doctors and hospitals.
Oregon Hospitals Take Step Toward Transparency
News outlets also report on hospital-related news from California, Kansas, Missouri, North Carolina and Maryland.
Researchers: Origin Point Of Colon Tumor More Important Than Anyone Expected
In a new study, cancer patients whose tumor bloomed on the left side of their colon survived a median of 33.3 months, while right-sided colon cancer patients survived 19.4 months.
Companies Begin To Specifically Recruit Those On Autism Spectrum For Their ‘Hidden Talents’
Traits such as intense focus and facility with numbers and patterns can be a huge asset to companies. In other public health news, gay and bisexual men in the South have particularly high HIV rates, pediatricians are urged to ask about families’ financial struggles, scientists hope part-human, party-animal embryos could one day save lives, and a new study finds that a busy schedule might have positive effects on the brain.
Congress Quietly Protects Pharmacies While Trumpeting Efforts To Curb Opioid Epidemic
Although Congress has passed an opioid package that includes such things as bolstering prescription drug monitoring and funding drug disposal efforts, it also sent through a measure that limits the Drug Enforcement Administration’s powers to pursue pharmacies and wholesalers that the agency believes have contributed to the epidemic.
Abortion Landscape In Midwest, South Shifting As States Pass Restrictions At Unprecedented Levels
South Carolina’s 20-week ban is just the latest measure to limit abortion access in the states. Meanwhile, in Ohio, a law stripping funding from Planned Parenthood is causing some officials to scramble to find replacement services.
Amgen Researchers Find Gene Associated With Lower Heart-Disease Risk
Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reports on a new study that offers hope to melanoma patients. Also, the Food and Drug Administration approves a new therapy for advanced bladder cancer and The Washington Post details a new analysis regarding colon cancer.
Theranos Issues Tens Of Thousands Of Corrected Blood-Test Reports
The startup voided two years of results and revised other reports in an effort to stave off harsh sanctions from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
New Overtime Rules May Translate To Shorter Shifts, Less Money For Home Health Workers
Starting in December, anyone making up to $47,476 a year will qualify for overtime. But in the health care industry that wouldn’t necessarily mean the workers are going to get paid more.
Key Republican Lawmaker Says Georgia Should Consider Medicaid Expansion
State Sen. Renee Unterman, who heads the Health and Human Services Committee, says she has changed her views on the prospect because of hospital closings in the state and problems that residents are having getting to see a doctor. But Georgia’s Republican governor is believed to still oppose any expansion. News outlets also report on developments in Arkansas and Louisiana.
Calif. Lawmakers Rush To Try To Get Insurance For Immigrants Before Obama Leaves Office
Some members of the legislature are pushing to allow immigrants who are in the country illegally to buy insurance coverage on the health law’s marketplaces. Also in the news are reports on insurance from Illinois, West Virginia, Connecticut and Indiana.
New York Insurers Seek To Raise Obamacare Premiums
The health insurers are proposing premium increases on the state exchange by an average of 17 percent for individual plans next year. The increases, however, will be considered by the N.Y. Department of Financial Services.
House Passes $622M For Zika Funding, But CDC Says ‘It’s Just Not Enough’
On Tuesday the Senate passed its own $1.1 billion bill, and the two chambers are now facing tough negotiations in an effort to find a compromise. Meanwhile, the man who led the White House response to Ebola says Congress has failed to learn its lesson and is now failing Americans in the face of a slow-motion public-health disaster.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
A selection of opinions on drug costs from around the country.
The Deceptive Generosity Of Drug Coupons
News outlets from across the country report on the pharmaceutical drug industry.
Valeant’s Top Brass To Get Millions In Bonuses
The retention and equity bonuses come at critical juncture for the embattled pharmaceutical company.
