Latest KFF Health News Stories
After Ebola Missteps, Politicians Walk Delicate Line On Zika Messaging
The White House and other political leaders need to strike a balance between preparedness and disproportionate reactions that go beyond public health recommendations. Meanwhile, new research calls into question the link between the virus and a rare birth defect, even as women worry about abortion and childlessness as a result of the crisis.
Report: Dozens Of Deficiencies Found At Reservation Hospitals
The Associated Press reports on federal findings that hospitals on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Indian Reservations are providing substandard care for their patients. The Department of Health and Human Services calls the deficiencies “unacceptable” and says it is working with Indian Health Services to improve the facilities.
When There’s Only Enough For One, Doctors Faced With ‘Tragic Choice’: Who Gets The Medication?
Drug shortages are the new normal in American medicine, but the decisions around which patient gets the medication is causing murky ethical quandaries and questionable medical practices for physicians. In other patient news, STAT examines why mix-ups, which can lead to fatal errors, happen with such frequency.
Partners HealthCare To Reward Employee Ideas For New Drugs, Devices And Patient Care Innovations
These innovation grants that Partners plans to award are designed as part of an effort to commercialize research done in its labs and hospitals. Meanwhile, in other news, in an effort to gain more accountability for workplace wellness programs, employee health scorecards are getting attention.
In Latest Blow To Theranos, Walgreens Halts Use Of California Lab
Walgreens said the blood testing startup “must immediately cease sending any clinical laboratory tests” to the company’s Palo Alto lab, which is facing federal scrutiny for deficient practices that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services say pose immediate jeopardy to patient health and safety.
FDA Approval Of New Hep C Drug Could Help Curb Sky-High Costs
Merck has not listed the price of the drug yet, but the extra option could help bring down prices on the expensive treatments. In California, Gilead’s hepatitis C drug Sovaldi has cost the state $387.5 million. But a ballot initiative to limit the high price of prescription drugs will let voters weigh in on this issue this November.
At Retreat, Obama Attempts To Rally Battle-Tired Democrats
President Barack Obama’s speech to the congressional Democrats on Thursday touted the results of their accomplishments, including the 18 million people who gained health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. But the much-diminished audience showed the political cost the Democrats have paid for their support to the president.
Key House Republican Dismisses Chances For Obama’s Plan To Offer Extra Medicaid Funding
President Barack Obama has called for the federal government to cover the full funding of Medicaid expansion for three years for any states that move to expand the program. That would give them the same benefits that states that moved earlier received. Also in the news are reports on expansion debates in New Hampshire and Idaho.
Enrollment Deadline Is Sunday And Officials Say Business Is Still Brisk
Federal officials say sign-ups are going strong in the final hours of open enrollment and remind consumers that failing to get a policy could result in a hefty fine.
First Edition: January 29, 2016
Editor’s Note: Starting today, California Healthline is being produced by Kaiser Health News. Our goal is to bring you the best coverage of health policy news in California, with original reporting that highlights the state’s outsize influence on the nation’s health care system. Click here to learn more about California Healthline and its staff. If you would like to receive the free California Healthline daily or weekly emails, you can adjust your email preferences here: kffhealthnews.org/email-signup.
Viewpoints: Fiorina’s Obamacare Replacement Plan; The Clinton-Sanders Clash
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: Nullifying Pain, Zika, Anti-Abortion Activists
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
News outlets report on health care developments in California, Virginia, Minnesota, North Carolina, Connecticut and Florida.
Iowa Critics Argue Private Medicaid Plan Doesn’t Provide Consumers Chance To Voice Complaints
The lawmakers say a complaint system will not be in place when private oversight is expected to start. In addition, outlets report on Medicaid news in Kansas, Florida, Alaska, Massachusetts and New Jersey.
Insiders Say Wounded Warrior Project Has Drifted From Original Mission
Excessive fundraising and marketing have former employees questioning if the charity has lost its way.
Doctors And The Malpractice Lawsuit Cycle
A study of 15 years of malpractice cases that resulted in payments to patients found that one percent of physicians accounts for 32 percent of all paid claims and if a doctor pays out once, the chances are good he or she will pay again.
Ted Cruz Attacks Donald Trump’s Positions On Health Care And Abortion
Meanwhile in New Hampshire, a conservative group tries to label Republican candidate John Kasich as an “Obama Republican” due to his Medicaid actions as Ohio governor. And on the Democratic side of the race, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi says that Sen. Bernie Sanders’ universal health care plan is unrealistic.
How The Tables Were Turned In Planned Parenthood Case
The organization immediately launched a legal strategy around cooperating fully with prosecutors. Meanwhile, Republicans are not giving up the fight against reproductive heath organization anytime soon.
WHO Alarmed By Explosive Spread Of Zika Virus Through Americas
As a case of the mosquito-born infection is confirmed in California, experts say that the U.S. must prepare for a potential outbreak. While the virus poses little threat to most people, it is believed to be linked to rare birth defects when a pregnant woman contracts it.
All Kids Should Receive HPV Vaccination Course By Age 13, Cancer Centers Recommend
Meanwhile, news outlets report on depression screening for new moms, the benefits of pediatricians teaching parenting skills and President Barack Obama’s call for $12 billion to feed low-income children when school is out of session.
