Latest KFF Health News Stories
Seattle Doctor Hopes To Unlock SIDS Mystery By Studying Inner Ear Link
Dr. Daniel Rubens is launching a two-year study that focuses on how inner ear defects may lead to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Elsewhere, a new study adds to growing research that the HPV vaccine is underutilized, Pennsylvania researchers make strides toward a treatment for a rare genetic disease, a report on the impact of Colorado’s marijuana law is out, and a health survey out of North Carolina suggests e-cigarette use is still on the rise in the state’s schools.
State Lawmakers Take Aim At Astronomical Air Ambulance Bills
As patients are getting stuck with bank-breaking costs for the life-saving rides, lawmakers are trying to get rules in place to regulate the industry. But their efforts have been blocked along the way.
Alabama Lawmakers Schedule Hearing On Expected Cuts To Medicaid
The legislature did not approve the governor’s full funding for the program, and officials have said cuts will need to be made in Medicaid. Also in the news is a look at a report prepared for the North Carolina legislature about problems implementing changes in the state’s Medicaid program.
‘Though Not Perfect, It Is Fair’: Court Upholds $1B NFL Concussion Settlement
The appellants can still ask a larger panel of judges at the Third Circuit to hear their appeal, or they can solicit the Supreme Court, but legal experts say both would be a long shot.
Obama Doubles Funding Request For Zika Research To $277M
Meanwhile, Democrats are urging Senate Republicans to act and appropriate money to fight the virus before its too late.
Study Finds ‘Tremendous Potential’ Of Pancreas Cell Transplants For Patients With Severe Diabetes
A year later, 88 percent of the people in the study who were given a cell transplant were free of severe hypoglycemia events, had their awareness of blood sugar dips restored and harbored glucose levels in near-normal ranges.
GAO: Veterans Still Face Months-Long Wait Times When Seeking Health Care
The report, released by the Government Accountability Office, comes just before a House Veterans Affairs’ Committee hearing on the issue. “This report proves what we’ve long known: wait-time manipulation continues at VA and the department’s wait-time rhetoric doesn’t match up with the reality of veterans’ experiences,” Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.), the committee chairman says.
In Risky Gamble, Startup Swoops In On One Of Pharmaceutical Industry’s Biggest Flops
Roche Holding shelved a cholesterol drug after a late-stage study found disappointing results. But Roche’s loss is DalCor’s gain, as the startup announces a 5,000 patient trial to test its theory that a genetic variation is key to making the drug a success. Meanwhile, Roche has reported an increase in its first quarter revenue.
La. Governor Announces Medicaid Expansion Will Begin June 1, Save State $677M Over 5 Years
About 375,000 people in Louisiana are expected to enroll in the program for low-income residents. At the same time, officials in Arkansas continue wrestling with the governor’s plan to end the political impasse over expansion.
House Republicans On Health Law Replacement: Give Us ‘Another Month Or So’
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich., says his four-member task force, charged with finding a replacement plan to the Affordable Care Act, is close to a Republican alternative.
Congress Should Pressure Insurers To Help Tamp Down Drug Costs, Advisory Panel Recommends
The nonpartisan Medicare Payment Advisory Commission says incentives are needed to encourage insurance providers to push for bigger pharmaceutical discounts and manage prescription use. Meanwhile, according to an AARP survey, older Americans also strongly favor a federal role in negotiating Medicare discounts.
UnitedHealth Shows Stronger-Than-Expected Profits
But the insurer’s anticipated further retreat from the health law’s marketplaces could pose difficulties for consumers.
Justice Department, SEC Launch Probes Into Theranos’ Practices And Technology
The investigations, revealed in a letter from the company to its outside partners, are just the latest setback for the blood-testing startup.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A selection of opinions from around the country.
News outlets report on health issues in Kansas, Wisconsin, Florida, New Hampshire, Vermont and Ohio.
Conn. Dentists Say Plan To Cut Medicaid Reimbursements Threatens Access For Patients
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has proposed trimming payments by 10 percent to dentists for children on Medicaid as part of his efforts to balance the budget. Meanwhile, in Alaska, the legislature also moved to cut Medicaid costs.
Activists, Lawmakers Steer Anti-Abortion Conversation Toward Perinatal Hospice Care
Perinatal hospice care is a birth plan for a woman whose fetus will not survive long outside the womb. And anti-abortion groups see it as an alternative to those patients terminating the pregnancy after they are told of their baby’s diagnosis. Meanwhile, advocates are stepping up efforts to spread the word about misoprostol, a drug that allows women to self-induce an abortion, but it is raising concerns on both sides of the debate.
Customer Refunds Give Pa. Hospital Skin In The Game
Although skeptics worried that greedy patients would abuse the system, officials at a Pennsylvania hospital have found that giving out refunds when someone is unsatisfied with the care they have received has improved the quality of their care, and has let them receive feedback in real time.
How The Mental Health System Failed Family Of Woman With Schizophrenia
Melinda Kavanaugh’s family battled with HIPPA, state budget cuts and laws that never seemed to work in their favor, as Melinda shut down their efforts to help.
