Latest KFF Health News Stories
Govs. From Hard-Hit New England Address Opioid Epidemic: ‘There Is Not An Issue More Pressing’
The region’s six governors urge an international conference of physicians to reduce their opioid prescribing. Meanwhile, the FDA warns of overdose risks from a diarrhea drug with opiate-like effects, insurers bet on data to help them fight the epidemic, and the head of the DEA says synthetic designer drugs — especially opioids — pose an unprecedented threat to the country.
Researchers Predict As Few As 15 Zika Cases At Olympics
The studies, however, did not attempt to assess the risk of even a single Olympics traveller carrying the virus back to a vulnerable home country. Meanwhile, media outlets in the states report on the virus.
Microsoft Mines Search Queries To Find Warning Signs To Cancer
The researchers focused on searches that indicated someone had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. From there, they worked backward, looking for earlier queries that could have shown that the user was experiencing symptoms before the diagnosis.
Struggle To Find Best Antidepressant Could Be Helped By New Blood Test
The test may be able to predict if a patient will respond to the most commonly prescribed medications. In other pharmaceutical news, the Food and Drug Administration eliminates some paperwork doctors must file to access experimental drugs for patients with incurable diseases.
AHIP Announces ‘Major Restructuring’ During Precarious Time For Insurance Industry
It is health insurance lobby’s first significant overhaul since 2003. Media outlets also report on insurer news from Minnesota and Ohio.
Ellmers Ousted In Primary Following Rift With Social Conservatives Over Abortion
“Actions have consequences,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List.
Federal Reserve Study Finds Link Between Health Law And Lower Consumer Debt Load
The researchers found that in states that expanded Medicaid, counties that had a particularly high uninsured rate before the federal health law had their per capita collection balance fall, while states that did not expand the program for low income residents had the collection balance continue to grow. Also in health law news, Republicans controlling the Senate are not again trying to defund the health law, and a look at benchmark plans in the online marketplaces finds they lack mandated mental health coverage.
Senate Panel Approves $261M In Funding For Opioid Crisis
The 93 percent increase is still shy of the $600 million Democrats proposed earlier this year.
Bill Overhauling Regulation Of Toxic Chemicals Sent To Obama’s Desk
The measure will affect everyday products ranging from laundry detergent to car seats and furniture.
Senators Demand Drugmakers Account For Skyrocketing Price Of Life-Saving Overdose Antidote
News outlets report on the pharmaceutical drug industry.
Editorial and opinion writers offer their take on drug-cost issues.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Outlets report on health news from New York, Tennessee, Minnesota, Kansas, North Carolina, California and Texas.
Planned Parenthood Faces Off With Kansas, Louisiana In Court Over Funding
Attorneys for the women’s reproductive health organization go to court to try to stop Kansas from cutting off Medicaid money. And in Louisiana, the attorney general wants a federal appeals court to overturn an earlier ruling that barred the state from blocking funds.
When It Comes To Dying, Doctors Are No Different Than The Rest Of Us
New research disrupts the myth that doctors are dying better than the rest of the general public. In other public health news, a study finds that febrile seizures after children get vaccines are rare, doctors are treating strokes in a new way and young people are developing persistent tinnitus.
Infection And Allergy Risks Prompt Many Hospitals To Ban Get-Well Gifts
The flowers, stuffed animals or balloons that people traditionally buy to cheer up a hospitalized patient are no longer welcome at many facilities due to health concerns.
Opioid Crackdown Disproportionately Affecting Elderly Patients With Chronic Issues
Older patients are more apt to have chronic pain, and are less likely to abuse painkillers, but they still are faced with restrictions that are limiting their access to the drugs. In other news, states are scrambling to ban a new synthetic opioid that has been connected to at least 50 deaths, the FDA concludes that Pfizer’s long-acting painkiller can be abused, a new study shows states’ drug-monitoring programs work and Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., discusses the epidemic with state and federal officials.
How The Superbug Discovery Unfolded
It was clear the germ was dangerous, but it took testing to realize the extent. “We had to drop everything else to get this done,” microbiologist Patrick McGann says. “When [the test] came back positive, all hell broke loose.”
Finding Donations To Fight Zika Is Proving Difficult
Public health officials in both the U.S. and the World Health Organization have been pleading for additional spending to stop the spread of Zika, but they may be facing donor fatigue. News outlets also examine Zika issues in Texas, Iowa, Minnesota and Ohio.
