Latest KFF Health News Stories
The extraordinary declaration highlighted the desperation of Rockland County, N.Y., public officials to control the spread of a disease they have so far struggled to halt. Meanwhile, in California, lawmakers consider a bill that would crack down on bogus medical exemptions for vaccinations.
In response to the North Carolina ruling in federal court on Monday, American Civil Liberties Union attorney Andrew Beck said, “Politicians shouldn’t be meddling with women’s health in a way that’s actually illegal.” News on abortion comes out of Utah, Kansas, Texas and Georgia, as well.
For people in a low-income, struggling county in Arkansas the idea that there are just jobs out there waiting for them now that they’re being faced with work requirements for their Medicaid program is almost laughable. Now, residents are having to skip care after they’re dropped from the rolls. “I am just putting it in God’s hands,” said Elizabeth Cloinger, 47. “He is going to let me stay on this Earth to see my grandbaby be raised.”
The proposed policy follows on the heels of recent studies that found the alternative way of replacing an aortic heart valve is safe and effective.
A Wall Street Journal and Frontline investigation earlier this year detailed how IHS doctor Stanley Patrick Weber was transferred from hospital to hospital despite allegations that he abused Native American boys under his care. The task force will examine what went wrong and suggest improvements to better protect the children in the future.
“We will enforce a strict prohibition on backdoor funding schemes and end runs around our policy,” said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The policy, dubbed a “global gag rule” by its critics, cuts off funding for foreign organizations that promote or practice abortion.
The Senate Judiciary Committee’s hearing delved into the possibilities of protections that let family members or law-enforcement officials petition a court for an order that would temporarily block a person from being able to buy a firearm, or enable officials to remove his or her weapons.
The case has been closely watched as others across the country move toward their trial dates. Experts say the settlement “puts a stake in the ground” and “telegraphs what these cases might be worth and makes the elephant in the room even larger — namely, do Purdue and the Sacklers have sufficient funds to give fair payouts in the 1600-plus cases that remain?”
Pelosi In Early Stages Of Talks With Trump Over Bringing Down Drug Prices
Curbing high drug prices is looked at as one of the few bipartisan issues that might actually be tackled by the divided Congress, and is a known priority for both the Democrats in the House and President Donald Trump.
Democrats have largely viewed health care as a winning topic, and President Donald Trump’s renewed focus on the issue–right before House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announced a plan to shore up the health law marketplaces–gives them an easy talking point as election season draws ever nearer. For Republicans, it shifted the spotlight from a topic that was a political victory for them–the Mueller investigation–onto one where they’ve repeatedly stumbled in the past two years.
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Perspectives: Just How Expensive Do Prescription Drugs Need To Be To Fund Innovative Research?
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
First Comes The Grief Of Losing An Infant Unexpectedly. Then Come The Questions From The Detectives.
When a baby dies from sudden infant death syndrome, parents don’t have long to recover before they’re faced with questions and paperwork from detectives. The policies are in place to protect from abuse or neglect, but can often bleed over to accusatory for parents in the worst moments of their lives. In other public health news, the mysteries of aging, exercise, schizophrenia, smoking and marijuana extract.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers focus on these health topics and others.
Media outlets report on news from Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Arizona, Tennessee, Louisiana, California, Pennsylvania, Texas, Maryland, Ohio, Georgia, Virginia and Washington.
Texas Bill Over ‘Rights Of Living Child After An Abortion’ Provokes Boycott From Democrats
“While some members of the Texas Legislature insist on attacking as well as offending women directly and indirectly, we will not join this charade by participating in this political grandstanding on issues which are already codified in Texas and Federal law,” the Texas lawmakers said. The boycott came in response to legislation that would explicitly require doctors to care for a baby who survives an abortion procedure. Abortion news comes out of Kansas and Kentucky, as well.
Scientists Were Ready To Declare Measles All But Dead. Now, It’s Come Back With A Vengeance.
Experts are absolutely frustrated that a virus that was near extinction is gaining so much ground recently. The measles vaccine is enough to do the job to kill it completely for future generations, they believe, but the resistance movement is thwarting that progress. In other public health news: autism, asthma, sonic attacks, DNA and fast food, and heart attacks.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Heart Association said lawmakers should utilize taxes and warning labels to cut down on the prevalence of sugary drinks in U.S. culture.
A father’s suicide Monday more than six years after his young daughter was killed in the Sandy Hook mass shooting and the recent suicides of two students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas School show the longterm consequences of gun violence, many say. Communities struggle about what to do next while vowing to support stronger gun laws.
