Morning Breakouts

Latest KFF Health News Stories

This Obscure Task Force Dictates Preventive Services In U.S.

Morning Briefing

The group of physicians has recently come out with guidelines that have created a firestorm of debate over preventive care, and since the health law granted it the power to determine what screenings should be covered by insurers, it’s unlikely the task force will continue to fly under the radar. Meanwhile, a report finds that too many older people continue to receive treatments that don’t meet established guidelines.

Test For Alzheimer’s Gene Poses Dilemma For Families At Risk Of Developing Disease

Morning Briefing

The New York Times profiles two brothers facing 50-50 odds of carrying the mutated gene — one chose to be tested and the other has not. In related news, The Tennessean reports on the difficulties loved ones face in caring for Alzheimer’s patients.

Texas Health Officials Try To Distance Commission From Controversial Planned Parenthood Study

Morning Briefing

They have asked the New England Journal of Medicine, which published the study looking at how cutting Planned Parenthood funds affected Texas women, to remove two state employees’ names as co-authors to the study.

Researchers Credit Contraception Use As Unintended Pregnancy Rates Drop Across The Board

Morning Briefing

“Whereas in the past we saw decreases among advantaged groups but increases among disadvantaged groups, now we’re seeing decreases across the board. Something broad-based is going on here,” the lead author of the report says. In other news, the first uterus transplant in the U.S. could offer hope to women across the country.

Retail Clinics May Drive Up Health Spending, Study Finds

Morning Briefing

Advocates say consumers can use the retail clinics to provide a less expensive alternative to emergency rooms and doctor visits. But the research in the journal Health Affairs suggests that instead patients are going to the clinics for care that they wouldn’t necessarily seek from a doctor.

Prescription Drug Costs Trigger State Pushes For Transparency

Morning Briefing

Stateline reports that 11 states have introduced legislation that would require drug makers to justify their prices by disclosing spending on marketing and research, among other things. Meanwhile, STAT reports on how Harvoni’s ad blitz is generating significant interest in the hepatitis C drug despite its high cost. In other news, Texas officials are studying whether adding more generics into the Medicaid program would help control costs, and Valeant is poised to release its fourth-quarter results.

N.H. Lawmakers Weigh Work Requirement As They Prepare For Medicaid Expansion Vote

Morning Briefing

The legislature is expected to vote this week on a measure determining whether to continue the state’s Medicaid expansion program. In Arkansas, a panel backs the governor’s plan to continue the state’s expansion, and a Kansas poll finds community support growing for Medicaid.

Democratic Candidates Asked About Abortion For First Time At Fox Town Hall

Morning Briefing

At Fox’s town hall on Monday, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders both said they support a woman’s right to choose when moderator Brett Baier grilled them on late-term abortions. The lack of questions on the topic in debates and town halls sparked an #AskAboutAbortion movement from those who want the candidates to solidify their positions.

State Highlights: Fla.’s Proposal To Protect Against Surprise Medical Bills At Risk; Conn. Gov. Holds Back Health Center Funds Due To Budget Squeeze

Morning Briefing

News outlets report on health issues in Florida, Connecticut, Colorado, Illinois, Washington, North Carolina and Minnesota.

West Virginia Bill Would Shield Hospitals From State, Federal Anti-Trust Regs

Morning Briefing

The proposal is drawing increasing scrutiny as some are concerned it would draw large hospital monopolies to the state. News outlets also report hospital-related developments in Wisconsin, North Carolina, Illinois and Louisiana.

N.M. Faces $417 Million Medicaid Shortfall In Current Budget Crunch

Morning Briefing

Officials are looking at possible cuts in reimbursements for doctors and hospitals. News outlets also report on Medicaid issues in Kansas, Georgia, North Carolina and Alaska.

Potential Weapon On The Zika Battlefront: Genetically Engineered Mosquitoes

Morning Briefing

The owner of the company testing the new technology — modifying male mosquitoes to pass on a gene to make their offspring self-destruct — says the approach could save millions of people from being infected with the virus. In other outbreak news, drugmakers race to find a vaccine, and researchers are finding that the effects of Zika go beyond microcephaly.

With No End In Sight, Flint Residents Defeated, Demoralized

Morning Briefing

Even as aid floods in, there has been no promise that the water problem will be fixed any time soon, and residents are getting tired. “I think we need to stop talking about fixing the water, and get moving. I’m not a politician. I’m not a scientist. All I know is this water is still poison,” said the Rev. Alfred Harris, the pastor of Saints of God Church. Meanwhile, would a different vote on a referendum have changed the fate of the city?

Initiative Makes Getting Veterans Cutting-Edge Cancer Technology Top Priority

Morning Briefing

Long ago, the Department of Veterans Affairs got left behind on cancer research, but now a new push is aiming to bring veterans back into clinical trials. In other news, Vietnam veterans search ships’ logs in their continued push to get compensation for possible Agent Orange exposure.

Hybrid Long-Term Care Insurance Gaining Interest

Morning Briefing

The New York Times examines the increasing popularity of this type of insurance policy. Also, the Times looks at how much retirees should save for medical costs. And The Denver Post explores the importance of end-of-life discussions.