Latest KFF Health News Stories
Analysis: Hospital Deaths Are More Intrusive, Expensive Than At Home Or Hospice
“This intensity of services in the hospital shows a lot of suffering that is not probably in the end going to offer people more quality of life and may not offer them more quantity of life either,” says Dr. Richard Parker, chief medical officer at Arcadia.
Envision Healthcare, AmSurg Merger Would Create $10B Company
The all-stock deal would blend the physician-staffing business with more than 250 ambulatory surgery centers.
MedPAC Offers Proposals To Address ‘Unsustainable’ Drug Costs, But Congressional Action Unlikely
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission plan would, among other things, set an annual limit on how much seniors can be required to pay for medications, a new safeguard. But in a contentious election year, the proposal is not likely to gain any traction in the legislature.
Former FDA Official Embroiled In Insider-Trading Case Over Generic-Drug Approvals
Gordon Johnston made as much as $5,000 a month to bring confidential information to hedge fund manager Sanjay Valvani, according to allegations filed in a complaint by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the U.S. Attorney of Manhattan. Federal investigators have been scrutinizing communications between Washington research firms and Wall Street investors for years but struggled to build the cases partly because of unclear rules on what’s considered confidential information.
Advocates: FDA Blood Donation Ban Based On Stigma, Not Science
However, agency officials say the one-year guidance for gay men is in line with other countries’ policies and note that every year some of the 3.5 million patients who receive transfusions are infected with various diseases. Meanwhile, an Orlando donation center that supplied blood to victims of the shooting confirmed that the gunman had given blood just before the massacre. And therapy dogs are bringing comfort to those affected.
Mental Health Bill Introduced After Newtown Shooting Advances Through House Panel
Meanwhile, Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., filibustered for nearly 15 hours to bring attention to gun control amendments.
As Premium Spikes Loom, White House To Dole Out $22M For States To Keep Insurers In Check
The grants may inflame an already tense relationship with insurers, who say they’ve had a tough year on the Obamacare marketplace. Meanwhile, the long-awaited Republican plan to replace the health law will lack concrete financial details, aides and lobbyists say.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Work, The Safety Net And Obamacare; Hospitals And Disaster Preparations
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Perspectives On Drug Costs: A Way To Bribe The Doctor Without Bribing The Doctor
Editorial and opinion writers offer their takes on drug-cost issues.
Coupon Wars: Assistance Strategy Or Industry Racket?
News outlets report on the pharmaceutical drug industry.
Mylan’s Drug Prices Spike By As Much As 542 Percent
Wells Fargo analyst David Maris notes that the increases are “beacons for scrutiny.”
Outlets report on health news from Georgia, Wisconsin, Ohio, Missouri, Pennsylvania and California.
FDA Cites ‘Serious Violations’ Of Sanitary Conditions At Whole Foods Kitchen
Their food “may have been contaminated with filth,” says the agency in a letter sent to the company.
FDA Approves Obesity-Fighting Device That Drains Food From Stomach
The system hooks up to a thin tube implanted in the stomach. The device then rids the body of about 30 percent of the consumed food before it can be fully digested. In other FDA news, the agency will allow folic acid to be added to corn masa flour, an effort to reduce birth defects in the Latino community.
California Abortion Law Violates Free Speech Rights, Lawyers For Pregnancy Clinics Say
The centers are required to provide information about all services available to pregnant women, including abortion. Their lawyers argue that the state is forcing them to “speak the government’s message,” while California officials say it’s just asking them to provide neutral, factual information.
Kan. Drops Plans To Cut Funds For Doctor, Nurses Working With Planned Parenthood
Kansas officials, who are trying to end Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood operations, originally also sought to disqualify 11 people — including a doctor and about 10 nurses and nurse midwives — to keep the organizations “from evading the effect of their terminations by having providers at their facilities use their individual (Medicaid) numbers.” U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson is expected to rule on the funding cutoff itself before July 7.
Research Fragmented On Patient Safety Risks From Health Technology, Regulators Say
News outlets also report on other health IT developments including the impact of startups on the industry, more layoffs at Zenefits and hospital “alert fatigue.”
Experts Caution About Big Brother Vibes As Facebook Rolls Out Suicide-Prevention Tools
A menu will let friends report posts that hint at possible self-harm or suicide.
VA Agent Orange Debate Reveals Dueling Considerations Of Liability, Responsibility And Science
A group of scientists within the Department of Veterans Affairs warned the agency that agreeing to pay cash benefits to airmen who say they were exposed to Agent Orange could set a dangerous financial precedent. But that’s not supposed to matter.
