Latest KFF Health News Stories
Media outlets report on news from Iowa, New Mexico, Ohio, California, Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Texas, Georgia, Florida, Colorado, Connecticut, Washington, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Missouri.
First Edition: February 14, 2019
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers weigh in on these and other health topics.
Opinion writers weigh in on the current measles epidemic.
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Pharmacy Benefit Managers Are Drawing Fire From All Directions In Debate Over Drug Pricing
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Media outlets report on news from Massachusetts, Texas, California, Ohio, Kansas, Nevada, Minnesota, and Florida.
Coverage on movement in the state capitols comes out of California, Arizona, Iowa, Texas, Maryland, Georgia, Ohio, South Dakota, New Mexico and Florida.
The World Braced Itself For A Bird Flu Epidemic. Then Nothing Happened.
A little over a decade ago, the world raced to prepare emergency plans and stockpile medication in anticipation of a major bird flu outbreak. Now, there hasn’t been a single H5N1 human infection detected since February 2017. Where did it go? In other public health news: the measles outbreak, pelvic mesh, intimacy, raw milk, processed foods and more.
Background Checks, Other Campus Reforms Included In Settlement Over USC Gynecologist
The case involves hundreds of students and alumni who have accused Dr. George Tyndall of committing sexual or inappropriate conduct during physical exams. Beyond the monetary damages in the settlement, USC will have to agree to conduct background checks that delve into prior history of sexual harassment, improve employee training, and bolster staffing so that female students always have the option of seeing a female doctor. The university will also be asked to create a position for “an independent women’s health advocate” to ensure complaints about improper sexual or racial conduct are investigated. Meanwhile, six male graduates have filed a lawsuit against another USC doctor.
The FBI said surveillance video shows a person wearing dark clothing entering the Planned Parenthood-Columbia Health Center about 4:05 a.m. Sunday. When that person later walked out of the clinic, smoke could be seen coming from the building, according to the agency.
The states have long-balked at the price tag associated with expansion, but economists are saying other red states are reaping the benefits of injecting the economy with millions in federal dollars. Beginning next year, however, the federal government’s contribution will phase down to 90 percent from the current 93 percent of expansion costs, which will make it a harder sell. Medicaid news comes out of Utah and North Carolina.
Federal and state lawmakers, doctors, advocates and other leaders and experts are all taking steps to curb the epidemic. But there are still about 25 million Americans living with chronic pain, and a “stunning” variation in what treatment alternatives insurers will cover. In other news on the crisis: lawmakers question why the FDA gave the OK to a powerful intravenous painkiller; a drug distributor is sent a warning letter over its failure to flag suspicious activity; a hospital tightens its regulations following overdose deaths; and more.
Total spending for those with job-based coverage rose to an all-time high of $5,641, on average, per person in 2017, and employees are now on the hook for such large bills that a swiftly growing share are not considered fully insured.
Both the House and Senate vow to help the many service members whose burn pit-related claims for disability and health care were denied. News on military and veterans health looks at slum-like housing and a new phone app to access health records, as well.
President Donald Trump over the past two years has taken steps — such as limiting Medicare coverage for HIV drugs and rolling back Medicaid programs that cover 40 percent of people who test positive — that fundamentally undermine the battle against the virus. Now, however, he’s pledged to end the epidemic. Some activists are feeling the whiplash.
New ‘Rapid Treatment’ Depression Drug Similar To Ketamine Gets Endorsement From FDA Panel
Esketamine would be the first new drug for depression in years and has the potential to lift despair within hours, experts say. The FDA usually follows the panel’s recommendation. News on depression looks at teen suicides in a northwest Michigan community; the benefits of jogging, gardening; and a new mental health facility for inmates in Los Angeles.
The new guidelines comes from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a group whose guidance most insurance plans are required to follow. In 2016, the federal task force recommended that primary-care physicians screen for depression among adults, especially pregnant women and recent mothers, but this year the group went a step further and advises doctors to identify women who may be at risk.
Political strategists say that Democrats used to have to be very careful when talking about guns, but that’s not the case anymore as shown by the role the issue played in the recent midterms. “The primary thing that’s shifted in the politics of this issue is voter intensity was on their side. It’s now on ours,” said Peter Ambler, executive director of the gun control group founded by former Rep. Gabby Giffords. Meanwhile, the American Medical Association’s push for gun control is getting attention on Capitol Hill.
Moderate Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) are bucking the trend of Democratic hopefuls voicing strong support for “Medicare for All.” “I want to see universal health care, and there are many ways to get there,” Klobuchar said when asked if she backed Medicare for All, whereas Brown has said he supports incremental changes to Medicare.
