Latest KFF Health News Stories
Depression Among Heart Attack Survivors Can Be Deadly, Yet Is Often Ignored
One in 5 heart attack patients suffers from severe depression, yet many get little or no treatment that could ease their suffering or save their lives.
In Texas, People With Mental Illness Find Work Helping Peers
Peer support, well-known in addiction treatment, is gaining ground for people with serious mental illness. Texas and 35 other states are training and paying peer support specialists to help bridge a gap in mental health treatment.
Senate GOP Bill Aims To Add Psych Beds; Squeeze On Medicaid Signals Their Undoing
The Senate health care bill has a provision to increase hospital beds for psychiatric care, but overall cuts in Medicaid could lead to even fewer beds nationwide.
Do-It-Yourself Detox Can Be ‘Freddy Krueger’ Scary — And Usually Fails
Treatment for opioid addiction can be expensive and difficult to coordinate. That might make some people tempted to think they can overcome the addiction on their own. This rarely works.
Patients With Mental Disorders Get Half Of All Opioid Prescriptions
A study finds that nearly 19 percent of people with mental illnesses use prescription drugs, while only 5 percent of other people do.
‘Boot Camp’ Helps Alzheimer’s, Dementia Caregivers Take Care Of Themselves, Too
Free, daylong sessions run by UCLA teach caregivers how to keep their loved ones safe and engaged, while minimizing the stress in their own lives. Similar programs exist in other states.
Try This At Home: Program Brings Drug Addiction Treatment To Patients
Kicking addiction can be expensive and patients often relapse. A new company offers clients a different route to getting clean — without leaving home.
A New Diagnosis: ‘Post-Election Stress Disorder’
Trump opponents — and even some supporters — say the election and tumultuous early days of the new administration have left them anxious, angry and afraid of Facebook.
Facing Pressure, Insurance Plans Loosen Rules For Covering Addiction Treatment
Aetna will be the third major insurer to remove prior authorization requirements for patients who seek medication-assisted treatments such as Suboxone.
Veteran Teaches Therapists How To Talk About Gun Safety When Suicide’s A Risk
Most veterans who commit suicide do so with a gun, but most therapists don’t understand gun culture. A veteran who has struggled with depression himself now helps bridge that gap by educating mental health professionals.
Right-To-Die Fight Hits National Stage
A Republican-led effort to overturn D.C.’s aid-in-dying law may catalyze a broader effort to ban the practice nationally.
Obama’s Drug Czar: The Opioid Crisis Must Continue To Be A Federal Priority
In an interview with Kaiser Health News, Michael Botticelli outlines his concerns about how GOP efforts to dismantle the health law’s coverage expansions could jeopardize treatment for people in need.
Por qué es tan difícil hallar una cura para el Alzheimer
A pesar de una tasa de fracaso de 99%, científicos que investigan el Alzheimer están avanzando con cientos de experimentos -y un gran impulso en dinero federal- para tratar de revertir una enfermedad mortal que los ha desconcertado por décadas.
Senate Approves Landmark Mental Health Bill As Part Of 21st Century Cures Act
The U.S. Senate passed a landmark bill to help millions of Americans suffering from mental illness.
Legislation To Improve Mental Health Care For Millions Sails Through House Vote
Sponsors of Congressional action up for vote Wednesday have championed mental health changes since the 2012 Newtown shootings.
Clinics Help Keep People With Serious Mental Illness Out Of ER
Providing regular care at a Texas clinic prevents patients from cycling back to the hospital in a psychiatric crisis.
Surgeon General Murthy Wants America To Face Up To Addiction
More people struggle with alcohol or drugs than have cancer, and 1 in 5 Americans binge drink. It all costs the nation $420 billion a year. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy says we know how to help.
New Data: Surprising Number of California Parents Experienced Abuse as Children
Focusing on parents can help end cycle of trauma for kids, experts say.
Presidential ‘Parity’ Panel Offers Steps To Treat Mental Illness Like Other Disease
In a report released Friday, a task force recommends patient education and more funding to enforce the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act.
VA Shifts To Clinical Pharmacists To Help Ease Patients’ Long Waits
Some Veterans Affairs’ hospitals are cutting vets’ long waits for outpatient care appointments by authorizing specially-trained pharmacists to treat certain patients with chronic care needs.
