Latest KFF Health News Stories
While some doctors worry the documents could limit treatments, they are legal in 27 states and “could be a very important tool to minimize hospitalization and minimize involuntary commitment,” said Cherene Allen-Caraco, chief executive officer of Promise Resource Network. Other public health news focuses on loss of parental rights, ADHD diagnoses, rare diseases, 5G wireless safety, shingles vaccine shortage, personalized cancer medicine, Apple watches and more.
CDC Says Cases Of Mysterious, Polio-Like Illness Are Expected To Decline For Remainder Of 2018
A new task force is starting to understand the underlying cause of Acute Flaccid Myelitis, which appears to be following the same patterns as past years when cases have spiked in the fall.
While the cholesterol-lowering drugs are generally safe, a new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine suggests that 15 to 20 percent of older adults should be taking statins – far less than the 30 or 40 percent of older adults suggested by current medical guidelines. Other heart health news examines the benefits of weight lifting.
Chinese Scientist Under Investigation For Gene-Editing Human Embryos Is Missing, Reports Claim
He Jiankui hasn’t been seen publicly since making an appearance at a scientific summit on Wednesday. He rocked the scientific community last week by announcing that he edited genes in human embryos, an ethical line that had yet to be crossed prior to his work.
When Buying Your Own Health Plan, There’s Still A Big Ouch Factor If There’s No Subsidy
The least expensive health plan for a Wisconsin couple earning $125,000 costs $14,821.44 a year and has a $15,800 deductible. Another story examines options and the upcoming deadlines during open enrollment.
And the White House called on the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission to “monitor the competitive landscape” of providers to “prevent anti-competitive behavior.” In other hospital news: CMS star ratings, community benefit reporting, ER violations, and more.
The group argued that expanding Medicaid to low-income adults under the Affordable Care Act has had the unintended consequence of causing healthy, single adults to leave the labor force or reduce their work hours to keep or qualify for Medicaid benefits. Meanwhile, a left-leaning think tank warns that millions of children could lose health insurance because of the “public charge” policy.
A Federal Judge Is Making Noise About Halting CVS-Aetna Deal, But What Can He Actually Do About It?
Under the law, when the Justice Department strikes an agreement with companies, the deal must be cleared by a federal judge to provide a layer of oversight for those negotiations. In the CVS-Aetna case specifically, that means Judge Richard Leon of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia can decide whether the agreement Justice struck with CVS and Aetna on their Medicare Part D businesses addresses anti-competitive issues. If he finds it does not, the companies can either appeal or renegotiate.
Justice Department Wants Whistleblower Case Against Gilead To Be Tossed By Supreme Court
The long-running suit involves allegations that Gilead misled regulators about contaminated ingredients used in various HIV medicines and falsified data to win marketing approval for the drugs. In its brief, the Justice Department argued the case may burden the FDA, but otherwise did not explain how it would not be in the public’s interest for the Supreme Court were to take up the case. Other pharmaceutical news looks at gift giving and gene therapy.
Although the Trump administration is touting the promises, experts say there’s nothing new to get excited about. “There are economic incentives for the Chinese to let opioid production flourish and fewer incentives to restrict their economy to cooperate with foreign law enforcement. We will have to wait and see how much the Chinese government cracks down on fentanyl producers,” said Jeffrey Higgins, a retired special supervisory agent with the DEA.
Although former President George H.W. Bush, who died over the weekend, took two major steps to address the AIDS epidemic, advocates say they fell far short of what was needed at the time. “I know this week it feels like we’re the skunk at the ‘Celebrate George Bush’ party, but this was our reality: We were kids and our friends were dying and the government was ignoring it because they were gay,” said Hilary Rosen, who lobbied for the Human Rights Campaign during the Bush administration. “He just didn’t lead at a time when we were desperate for leaders.”
The figures that Rep.-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) cited refer to nearly two decades of internal financial adjustments, not actual spending. For starters, the combined Pentagon budget from 1998 to 2015 was only $9.2 trillion. Fact checkers from media outlets explain.
The message was delivered in a letter that 46 House freshmen to the Democratic leadership team. Their request for a bipartisan focus on legislation is one of several. Others include holding monthly meetings between top leaders and freshmen and more committee hearings held outside of Washington. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump, in a nod to the new power structure in Congress, has begun reaching out to Democrats.
First Edition: December 4, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages focus on these and other health care issues.
Perspectives: Lessons On The High Rate Of Maternal Mortality And Who’s To Blame
Editorial pages focus on women’s health issues during pregnancy.
Opinion writers weigh in on problems associated with the opioid epidemic.
Media outlets report on news from Washington, Missouri, Virginia, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Illinois, California, Maryland, Florida, Colorado, Texas, Ohio, Oregon, Kansas, Arizona, Connecticut and Iowa.
The flood of children entering the state’s care because of the opioid crisis is further straining a system already taxed. Meanwhile, a clinic in Virginia will be the first in the state to provide a program for pregnant women trying to fight addiction.
Drug Could Be An Inexpensive Life Saver For Millions Of African Children With Sickle-Cell Disease
There is currently no treatment for sickle-cell disease in Africa. While more research needs to be done on hydroxyurea, a drug invented to fight blood cancers, early tests show the inexpensive, easy-to-give pill is safe. In other international health news, researchers say progress is slowing on eradicating polio.
