Latest KFF Health News Stories
Media outlets report on news from Maryland, Arizona, New York, Illinois, Iowa, Colorado, Florida, Texas, Massachusetts, Ohio and New Hampshire.
Historically, psychiatrists didn’t consider medical diseases traumatic events, but parents of sick children can often have PTSD symptoms such as reliving the experience, avoiding reminders of the event or condition, feeling numb or detached from others, anxiety, difficulty concentrating and being constantly on the lookout for danger. In other public health news: a depression treatment, genetic testing, heart health, women’s safety and healthy diets.
Even though background checks are required to purchase guns, the overtaxed system doesn’t always work in a timely fashion. More weapons are getting into the hands of dangerous people, The Wall Street Journal reports. Then, understaffed federal and state agencies struggle with how to take away those guns. In other news on gun control efforts, some companies are installing gunshot detectors.
Have Questions About The Current Measles Outbreak? Facts About An Extremely Contagious Virus
As the number of people infected tops 120 in three states, the media looks at the seriousness of the disease and how it is transmitted. News about the outbreak comes out of Iowa, California and Washington, as well.
What Role Should Big Social Media Companies Play In Public Health Issues?
The recent attempts from social media companies to limit antivaccination posts highlights both the struggles of trying to monitor such content and the impact the tech leaders can have on the national conversation. In other health technology news: the limits of artificial intelligence, exposure of personal health information, and a mental health app that can help with loneliness.
Recent moves by red state Republicans to block voter-approved Medicaid expansion, as well as threats from some Republican governors to slash funding highlight the fact that both sides are still fighting the Medicaid expansion battle. Medicaid news comes out of Georgia and Texas, as well.
Maryland Law Designed To Curb Drug Price Gouging Dealt Fatal Blow As Supreme Court Refuses Case
The legislation had previously been ruled unconstitutional by an appeals court because it tried to regulate commerce beyond Maryland’s borders. The law, which was enacted following several high-profile drug hikes, prohibited what it termed “unconscionable” price increases for essential drugs no longer covered by patents or generic drugs that are sold in the state.
Human resource directors often rely on independent health insurance brokers to guide them through confusing benefit options offered by insurance companies. But what many don’t fully realize is how the health insurance industry steers the process through lucrative financial incentives and commissions, the cost of which are built into premiums. In other health industry and cost news: affordability, the business of specialty surgeries, health record costs, and more.
After reviewing thousands of pages of documents requested through the Freedom of Information Act, researchers also found that both the FDA and drug companies became aware of what was happening but took no action to stop it. “The whole purpose of this distribution system was to prevent exactly what we found,” said Caleb Alexander, co-director of the Center for Drug Safety and Effectiveness. In other news on the national opioid crisis: the Oklahoma court case, copycat drugs, marijuana and car crashes.
Criticism of the quality of care and safety conditions at immigration detention facilities grew even louder after the deaths of two young children who were in U.S. custody. Now, medical teams from the Coast Guard, HHS and private contractors have been triaging kids who come across the border, while border agents with medical backgrounds are patrolling more far-flung areas. Meanwhile, after touring a migrant camp in Florida, lawmakers pledged to work toward better conditions. And Democrats call for an investigation into ICE’s force feeding of detainees during a hunger strike.
Stay Away From Trendy Unproven ‘Young Blood Transfusions,’ FDA Warns Consumers
“Simply put we’re concerned that some patients are being preyed upon by unscrupulous actors touting treatments of plasma from young donors as cures and remedies,” top health officials said. The transfusions, which involve pumping a young person’s blood into the consumer, are marketed toward preventing aging, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other serious disease.
How Trump’s Ambitious Goal To End HIV Epidemic Stacks Up Against Obama’s Cancer Moonshot
Then-President Barack Obama’s moonshot quickly mobilized hundreds of scientists, a dozen agencies and a range of non-health companies from Amazon to Lyft, garnered bipartisan congressional support, and relied on painstaking groundwork that had been laid. President Donald Trump’s HIV goals appear to be on shakier grounds.
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ bill has become a catch-all rallying cry for progressive Democrats who support universal health care coverage. But, where Sanders in the past pulled the party left, he now finds himself in the middle of several competitors already standing there.
“Medicare for All” — and, more broadly, universal health coverage — has become a dividing issue for moderates and progressives mulling or entering the 2020 presidential race. It has put some candidates in a tight spot, speaking to the hard-left base but at the same time trying to court middle of the road voters. Meanwhile, The New York Times offers a glossary for all those health care terms that have been bandied about.
Perspectives: Relying On Cheaper, Older Versions Of Insulin To Solve Crisis Puts Patients At Risk
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
First Edition: February 20, 2019
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers weigh in on these health topics and others.
Editorial writers focus on women’s health care issues.
Media outlets report on news from California, New York, Ohio, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Virginia, Florida and Arizona.
