Latest KFF Health News Stories
Research Roundup: Antibiotics; End-Of Life Care; And The Individual Marketplace
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Media outlets report on news from Missouri, Massachusetts, California, Oregon, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Wisconsin, Texas, Virginia and New Hampshire.
While it was unclear what the smell was, the reports prompted a visit Thursday from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. A spokesperson for OSHA said the bodies remaining in the trailers are waiting to be claimed by family members. In other news, more of Puerto Rico’s physicians are fleeing to the states.
Startups Eagerly Dive Into Largely Untapped Marketplace Of Mental-Health Related Technology
From robot therapists to virtual reality worlds that help treat addiction, mental and behavioral health technology is booming. In other public health news: immunotherapy, HIV, black lung, genetic testing, sugar, and black infant mortality.
Pharma Companies Try To Shift Blame To Drug Dealers, Websites As Real Culprits Of Opioid Epidemic
Endo International Plc and Mallinckrodt Plc are arguing that if they’re added onto lawsuits for their role in the opioid crisis, they “are entitled to contribution from the illegal supply chain defendants.” News on the crisis comes out of Pennsylvania and New Hampshire, as well.
Kentucky Governor Does An About-Face On Cuts To Dental, Vision Benefits For Medicaid Beneficiaries
Gov. Matt Bevin (R-Ky.) announced that the benefits were being cut following a court ruling halted the state’s work requirements for its Medicaid program. But following a public outcry the administration says that coverage will be retroactively reinstated.
The EPA’s inspector general report also urged the agency to now do more to monitor drinking water across the country.
In one case, the facility staff told a teenager that she wouldn’t be released until she was deemed psychologically sound as a way to get her to take the drugs. Under most states’ laws, before a child is medicated, a parent, guardian, or authority acting in the place of the parent must be consulted and give informed consent. But in these shelters, the children are alone.
Court Threat To Roe V. Wade Takes Center Stage, But Abortions Are Already Inaccessible To Many Women
The New York Times takes a look at California and Mississippi, two states that have approached abortion regulations in drastically different ways. Meanwhile, the volume of introduced legislation geared toward improving reproductive health has skyrocketed during the Trump administration.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell predicts that if the vote was held that late, Democratic voters would be left deflated if Brett Kavanaugh is appointed to the seat. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has been making a lot of noise clamoring for the full set of documents from Kavanaugh’s time in the George W. Bush White House.
At VA, Whistleblowers Are 10 Times More Likely To Receive Disciplinary Action Than Their Colleagues
A new report reveals several troubling aspects of how Veterans Affairs — an agency that’s been plagued with controversy in recent years — handles whistleblowers. Meanwhile, a judge is asked to weigh in on a policy that could affect HIV-positive soldiers; and the Senate is set to vote on the nominee for VA secretary next week.
As Democrats Campaign For A House Takeover, Health Care Becomes Wedge Issue Dividing The Party
On the more progressive side of the party, there’s a push for a “Medicare For All” type plan, while on the more moderate end, there’s a focus on fixing and shoring up the health law. The mixed messaging could muddy the waters in the coming high-tension midterms. Meanwhile, Republicans are trying to get ahead of criticism over rising premiums.
But officials said the increase would have been closer to 5 percent had the individual mandate not been zeroed out.
Democrats Press Senate Republicans To Go On Record Supporting Pre-Existing Coverage Protections
The effort is led in a large part by vulnerable Democrats up for reelection. “This is a test of the Republican Party, whether or not they’re going to do the right thing when it comes to protecting people with pre-existing conditions,” said Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.). In other health law news: lawmakers want answers over cuts to outreach groups; Republican measures block D.C. from adding an individual mandate requirement; Americans say they find it harder to afford health care this year; and more.
The OMB was sent a rule related to the program on Wednesday from CMS that had a status that would allow it to go into effect immediately.
White House May Consider Importing Drugs In Certain Cases Where There Is A Steep Price Hike
Many Republicans — and even HHS Secretary Alex Azar — have previously opposed such a step, citing public safety as a concern. But Azar now says that there could be cases where it could be done effectively.
Merck follows Pfizer and Novartis in dropping prices on a few of their drugs. But, like with the other two, beneath the promise is a strategy that makes it uncertain if consumers will benefit. For example, Merck lowered the cost of its hepatitis C drug, Zepatier. But that treatment has not gained traction in the U.S. marketplace anyway, so the drop could actually be an attempt to boost Merck sales for an underperforming drug.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages focus on these and other health issues.
Opinion writers express views on issues related to the health law.
