Latest KFF Health News Stories
Study Links Cold, Flu And Allergy Drugs To Dementia
Anticholinergics work by blocking a specific neurotransmitter in the brain and body. But one critic of the study says it did not look at how long the participants had been taking the drugs, which are only meant for short-term use. In other public health news, scientists have found that, when in new surroundings, only half the brain sleeps while the other stands guard. Also, the nation’s largest autism research study is set to launch and cities are beginning to look at the lasting effects of childhood trauma.
Death Toll Only Tells Part Of Story In New Hampshire’s Opioid Epidemic
Newly released reports show just how deeply the state has been hit by the crisis.
Suicide Rate In U.S. Spikes To Highest Levels In Nearly 3 Decades
From 1999 to 2014, the overall rate increased by 24 percent, while middle-aged women saw a sharp uptick of 63 percent. Meanwhile, the number of suicides for girls aged 10 to 14 tripled.
Arkansas Legislature’s And Governor’s Maneuvers Extend Medicaid Expansion
The Arkansas House sent Gov. Asa Hutchinson a bill Thursday that would have ended funding at the end of the year knowing the governor planned to veto that provision, which he promptly did. The legislation now allows the program to continue.
After UnitedHealth’s Exit, What’s Next For Health Exchanges?
News outlets break down how consumers might be affected by the insurer’s decision to leave the health law marketplaces. Meanwhile, the Connecticut Mirror details how its state health exchange, Access Health CT, might take on a broader role in the future.
Panel Urges Reforms To Improve NIH’s Patient Safety
The National Institutes of Health conducts ground-breaking medical research, but an agency-appointed task force is recommending changes.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Obamacare And Medical Debt; Zapping Zika
A selection of opinions from around the country.
Longer Looks: A Medical Mystery; Fentanyl; Preventive Medicine
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
News outlets report on health issues in California, Oklahoma, Florida, Connecticut, Wisconsin, Illinois, Colorado, Iowa and Virginia.
Alabama Medicaid Officials Offer Budget Details As They Press Lawmakers For More Money
The legislature’s budget came in $85 million short of what the governor and state officials requested. News outlets also report on Medicaid developments in Iowa, Ohio and Oklahoma.
A Flint employee and two state workers assigned to monitor water quality in cities are facing charges for their connection with Flint’s water crisis, including felonies that carry penalties of as much as five years in prison. But they not going to be the only ones facing repercussions, says Bill Schuette, Michigan’s attorney general. “These charges are only the beginning.”
House Legislation Aimed At Curbing Opioid Crisis Won’t Include New Funding
Republican leaders say they have already done their part by approving $6 million in opioid programs in last year’s omnibus spending bill. Elsewhere, media outlets offer coverage of the epidemic out of the states.
Medical Groups Alarmed By ‘Abortion Reversal’ Promises, Legislation
Anti-abortion groups are promoting bills that require doctors to tell patients who are taking pills to induce an abortion that if they have regrets, they can stop the procedure after taking the first pill. But many in the medical community warn that advice is based on a small anecdotal report and has no serious scientific standing. Meanwhile, the Alabama legislature is debating a ban on a common abortion method.
Novartis Profits Fall With Competition From Generic Cancer Drug
Meanwhile, GlaxoSmithKline is in search of a new CEO and the excitement surrounding a new cholesterol drug is turning into panic over price tag concerns.
Senators Hopeful Zika Funding Agreement Is In Sight
Top Appropriations Committee Democrat Barbara Mikulski of Maryland said the Zika issue is “in play” for a vote at the panel’s Thursday hearing. In other Zika news, a Los Angeles Times reporter takes readers to the frontline of the outbreak in Brazil, and Seattle experts talk about just how severe the birth defects caused by the virus are.
GOP Unveils Documents At Fetal Tissue Hearing, But Dems Say They’re Recycled And Misleading
Wednesday’s Select Investigative Panel on Infant Lives hearing on the issue devolved into the two sides arguing whether the evidence was ground breaking or even valid.
Program Targets Residents’ Views And Stresses When It Comes To End-Of-Life Care
Rising doctors learn new skills in dealing with terminally ill patients and their families. Meanwhile, The Associated Press offers the key things to know for doctor-patient conversations on critical care options.
Release Of Hospital Quality Ratings Delayed By Medicare Amid Lawmaker, Lobbying Pressure
This week’s expected release of the latest star ratings by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is postponed until July following congressional and industry questions about the methodology.
Busy Week For Insurance Companies Highlights Evolving Landscape For The Industry
UnitedHealth is pulling out of all but a few Obamacare markets, Cigna is heading in the opposite direction with plans to expand, and Anthem is pursing a collaborative approach to working with hospitals. The changes show a fluid marketplace as companies race to find the best way to cut costs and improve care.
