Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Supreme Court Justices Overturn Texas Abortion Clinic Restrictions
The justices rule, 5-3, that the provisions requiring doctors to have admitting privileges to a hospital and for abortion clinics to meet hospital-like standards create an “undue burden” for women who are trying to obtain the procedure.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Perspectives On Addiction, Opioids And Managing Pain
Editorial and opinion writers offer their thoughts on these timely topics.
Outlets report on health news from Colorado, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Missouri, Florida, California, Texas, Tennessee and Ohio.
After Water Switch, Flint Children 50% More Likely To Have High Blood-Lead Levels: CDC
The study underscores the need for a “big, public health discussion” about lead, said Patrick Breysse, director of CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health.
In Worst-Case Scenarios, Nurses Strikes Can Lead To More Deaths
Despite hospitals’ common reassurances to patients that care is not being affected by strikes, research shows that there’s an almost 20 percent higher chance of death during those times. Meanwhile, Allina Health nurses return to work after a seven-day walkout and a late-night compromise avoids what would have been the largest nurses’ strike in Massachusetts history.
Synthetic Opioid In Development Could Offer Pain Relief With Less Addiction Risk
Though years away from human testing, the University of Maryland is working on a drug, UMB425, that researchers hope could reduce the side effects of painkiller tolerance and addiction. Meanwhile, Bloomberg reports on how chili peppers could help people with chronic pain. And New Hampshire’s new prescribing guidelines raise concerns.
Wrestling With The Tangle Of Ethical Regulations Around Living Organ Donors
A family makes the difficult decision to donate their dying father’s kidney before taking him off life-support. The problem: They couldn’t find a doctor who was willing to do the surgery.
Government’s Secret Stockpiles Of Medical Supplies Could Save Lives In An Emergency
An NPR reporter gets a rare opportunity to see inside a Strategic National Stockpile warehouse. Other news outlets cover public health developments related to diagnosing a city through sewer tests, criticism for an anti-obesity device, public suggestions to fight cancer, genetic data challenges and the failures of FluMist.
As Zika Fears Grow, Research Quickens But Fight May Be Hampered By Regional Disparities
Stat profiles research in a monkey lab, while The Washington Post looks at how many counties across the country are not prepared to fund a fight against the mosquitoes carrying the virus. Also, news outlets describe developments in the states.
‘There Is No Happy Day At Work’: How Gun Violence Takes Toll On A Trauma Ward’s Staff
For those professionals who work in trauma care, there is a great sense of fulfillment in using the few available minutes to save someone’s life. But when the shift is over, the stress remains. Meanwhile, through counseling and community support, Orlando first responders are healing after the Pulse shooting.
The Future Is Finally Here: Telemedicine Begins To Live Up To Promises
More than 15 million Americans received some kind of medical care remotely last year, but even with expanded telemedicine use, issues — such as quality control — remain. In other news, digitally communicating information about doctors’ peers can help keep bad prescribing habits in check, a study faults hospitals’ cybersecurity practices and The Wall Street Journal talks health care technology with an expert.
Politically Volatile Medicare Proposal In GOP ‘Replace’ Plan Could Scare Trump Away
Some question whether Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump will fully support the Republican plan to replace the Affordable Care Act because of some of its extremely unpopular proposals. Meanwhile, the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget releases a report on how both Trump and Hillary Clinton’s plans will need to address Medicare to control the federal debt.
The industry has long-focused on the amyloid protein but after 190 drugs failed in human trials, researchers are starting to look at tau, another protein which spreads through the brain as Alzheimer’s progresses.
HHS Sued Over Unaccompanied Immigrant Minors Being Denied Contraception, Abortion
The minors are being placed in the care of religion-based agencies, whose policies, the ACLU says, conflicts with a First Amendment prohibition on establishment of religion. In other news, a Florida health agency is ordered to pay Planned Parenthood’s legal fees for a case about an abortion method and NARAL speaks out against Colorado’s single-payer initiative.
Ky. Governor’s Medicaid Plan Draws Complaints About Impact Of Tougher Eligibility, New Fees
Advocates argue that the changes Gov. Matt Bevin has proposed would drive tens of thousands of low-income residents out of the program. Also in the South, Louisiana is going the other direction and has signed up more than 225,000 people as part of its expansion of Medicaid.
When Out-Of-Network Doctors Offer Services At In-Network Hospitals, Patients Pay The Price
More and more Americans are getting slapped with sky-high surprise medical bills.
Facing Large Losses, Blue Cross Blue Shield Retreats From Minnesota Marketplace
The state’s largest insurer says that it is on track to lose $500 million over three years on policies purchased by individuals.
Private Equity Quietly Takes Over Emergency Services — And The Consequences Are Dire
The firms have applied cost-cutting, Wall Street-like methods to health care with little oversight or regulation, and vulnerable patients are paying the price.
