Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A selection of opinions from around the country.
Perspectives On The Affordable Care Act — Is It Meeting Expectations?
Columnists and editorial writers examine and review various aspects of the federal health law and its Massachusetts predecessor, which is now celebrating its 10th anniversary.
News outlets report on health issues in Arizona, Florida, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Missouri, North Dakota, New Hampshire, Tennessee, South Carolina, Maryland, Nebraska and Hawaii.
NYC Launches $2M Ad Campaign To Trigger Talk About Mental Health Issues
Meanwhile, N.C. Gov. Pat McCrory hopes to increase the state’s spending on mental health, a judge in Washington orders a partial shutdown of a treatment facility for mentally ill defendants because of safety risks and inpatient psychiatric beds are scarce in California.
Michigan Governor: Staff Had Told Him Flint Wasn’t A Problem
Gov. Rick Snyder claims that he had been assured that outside experts were wrong about the crisis in Flint. Elsewhere, health-related water problems have also emerged in New Hampshire and Florida.
California Health Officials Hopeful Outbreak Of Fentanyl Overdoses Is Slowing
There have been no reported fentanyl-related overdoses in nearly a week, following a spree that struck Sacramento County in late March. Elsewhere, The Tennessean takes a look at the state’s continuing opioid problem.
Mo. Senate Panel Cuts $28 Million From Medicaid Budget
Other outlets also report on Medicaid developments in Connecticut, Kansas and Arkansas.
In Spate Of Briefs For High Court, Women Make Abortion Debate Personal
Some women tell stories of loss, others of certainty. But they all want to make sure the Supreme Court justices deciding on Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt know how abortion affected each of their lives.
Minimizing The Stress Of Daunting Medical Bills From Cancer Treatments
The Washington Post offers seven ways to handle the financial toxicity and stress that can come with a cancer diagnosis. In other news, the Food and Drug Administration approves a drug that targets a hard-to-treat subset of leukemia.
‘Unbelievable Potential’ Of Health Apps Can Be Undercut By Their Unreliability
Although many physicians are hopeful about the usefulness of new technology, they say that it shouldn’t be a replacement for traditional care. “It’s like having a really bad doctor,” warns Dr. Karandeep Singh, a professor at the University of Michigan.
Post-Shkreli, KaloBios Promises ‘Reasonable And Transparent’ Drug Pricing Model
The drugmaker’s chief executive says he wants to “set the record straight” that the company is not following in the path of former CEO Martin Shkreli, who infamously increased the price of life-saving drugs.
Studying ‘Genetic Superheroes’ May Unlock Mystery Around Some Devastating Diseases
People who are born with mutations that should have caused a disease are offering hope to researchers, who say their bodies could be carrying a gene that produces a protective protein. “This is a powerful opportunity to benefit many people by searching within one person to find something that could help many,” says Dr. Stephen Friend, who helped lead the work.
Officials: Zika ‘Scarier Than Initially Thought’; Ebola Funds Not Enough To ‘Get The Job Done’
While National Institutes of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials say they still don’t expect a widespread outbreak in the U.S., they also warn that it’s imperative that states are ready for the worst-case scenario. Meanwhile, the virus has been linked to a second autoimmune disorder.
Ark. Officials Eye Plan To Cut Spending If Lawmakers Fail To Fund Medicaid Expansion
The House speaker said the cuts to schools, prisons and other programs would be necessary to fill a $122 million gap if the legislature doesn’t agree to fund Medicaid so that the state can get federal financing. Also, news from Kentucky and Louisiana.
When The Price Tag For An Obamacare Plan Is Too High, Some Opt For Short-Term Coverage
News outlets also report on developments regarding small-business exchanges and the state health marketplaces in New York and Idaho.
Administration Faces Pushback On Drug Plan Pilot Program
The Obama administration’s effort to reform how doctors earn money from high-priced injection drugs is being met by opposition and warnings that the move goes to far.
New Medicare Primary Care Payment Initiative Designed To Switch Incentives
The Obama administration hopes to recruit as many as 20,000 primary care doctors to participate in this plan to shift how physicians get paid and provide care.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: UnitedHealth And Obamacare; New Yorkers, Poverty And Living Longer
A selection of opinions from around the country.
