Latest KFF Health News Stories
Hospital Workers Find Solace In Pausing After A Death
Sometimes, no matter how hard emergency workers try, nothing can save a patient. One nurse says after the frenzy stops, taking time to reflect on that death helps him cope. And the idea is spreading.
Contraceptive Implant Under Microscope Amid Questions of Safety, Altered Trial Data
Essure has generated more than 5,000 complaints of serious side effects.
Ouch! Vaccination Rates for Older Adults Falling Short
Millions of Americans over 60 are risking illnesses by skipping their shots.
Planned Parenthood Isn’t The Only Health Program At Risk Of Losing Funds
Congress faces budgetary decisions, worrying advocates for medical research, teen pregnancy prevention and other federal initiatives.
For California, Last Year’s West Nile Season Was Most Severe Ever
The state reported a record number of serious West Nile illnesses in 2014, including cases of meningitis and encephalitis, according to federal data. Thirty-one people died.
In Ohio, New Abortion Clinic Opens, Bucking National Trend
Since the Roe v. Wade decision, Ohio has been a trendsetter in passing laws that restrict abortion. That’s why it is especially unusual that in a small Ohio town just south of Cleveland, a new clinic that performs abortions opened its doors.
American Academy Of Pediatrics Recommends Individualized Counseling For Parents Of Premature Infants
The pediatric academy suggests that decisions on whether to resuscitate extremely premature infants be based on the particular child’s chance of survival and the family’s goals – not simply gestational age.
Private Money Saves Colorado IUD Program As Fight Continues For Public Funding
A dozen foundations contributed a total of $2 million to help more low-income teens and women obtain IUDs and other long-acting contraceptives.
Katrina Shut Down Charity Hospital But Led To More Primary Care
When Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, many health facilities were destroyed or shut down, including urgent care centers, nursing homes, pharmacies and hospitals. But a new network of renovated and newly built primary care health clinics has opened, which many hope will bring stability to the health care of the city’s low-income residents.
As Legal Marijuana Expands, States Struggle With Drugged Driving
As more states make medical and recreational marijuana use legal, they increasingly are grappling with what constitutes DUID, or driving under the influence of drugs, and how to detect and prosecute it. And they’re finding it is more difficult than identifying and convicting drunken drivers.
NIH analysis quantifies who is in pain and when, including more than 25 million people who say they have pain every day.
‘Defunding’ Planned Parenthood Is Easier Promised Than Done
Republican candidates on the campaign trail say they have defunded Planned Parenthood in their states already. But a lot depends on how they define “defund.”
For Marginalized Patients, BOOM!Health Is ‘A Great Model’
Incentives advanced by state-based health reforms and the federal health law have created new opportunities for nonprofit organizations like Boom!Health, says Robert Cordero, the integrated clinic’s ougoing president.
Fetal Tissue Attack Is Latest Tactic In Long GOP Fight Against Planned Parenthood
Republican efforts to defund Planned Parenthood date back to 1982, while fetal tissue research had bipartisan support until the release of secret camera videos.
Having A Baby? Big Differences Noted In Hospital Quality Across Mass.
WBUR compiles a database for pregnant women to compare hospitals in Massachusetts.
How Vandalism And Fear Ended Abortion In Northwest Montana
When Zachary Klundt broke into All Families Healthcare he destroyed the only clinic providing abortions in the Flathead Valley of Montana. More than a year later, the clinic remains closed.
Sometimes A Little More Minecraft May Be Quite All Right
The wildly popular video game Minecraft teaches kids basic spatial reasoning concepts and helps them think critically. So, if you’re using it for educational purposes, does it count as screen time, and should parents limit it?
Many Hospitals Don’t Follow Guidelines For Child Abuse Patients, Study Finds
The researchers found wide disparities in how hospitals handled young patients believed to have been abused. About half of those younger than 2 who were identified as abused were not checked out for other injuries.
Supreme Court Reprieve Lets 10 Texas Abortion Clinics Stay Open For Now
Abortion providers and foes react to the Supreme Court’s action that will allow 10 abortion clinics in Texas to remain open until a state law that would close them can be fully reviewed by the court.
Advocates For Disabled Are Troubled By California’s Assisted Suicide Bill
Disability rights advocates say the bill allowing doctors to prescribe lethal medications to terminally ill patients could lead some disabled people to prematurely end their lives.
