Latest KFF Health News Stories
Experts Knock Down Trump’s Attempt To Claim Credit For Modest Premium Increases Under Health Law
The Associated Press fact checks President Donald Trump’s statements that his administration is “holding the rates down.”
Preexisting Conditions Protections Becoming Achilles’ Heel For Republicans On The Trail
Candidates are struggling to make their promises to protect coverage for people with preexisting conditions believable to voters. “What you have to do at this point is duck and cover,” said one Republican strategist. Midterm news comes out of Illinois and Georgia, as well.
States ‘On Front Lines’ Of Opioid Crisis Get $1 Billion In Grants From Trump Administration
The vast majority of the funding was approved by Congress earlier this year as part of a budget bill. “Addressing the opioid crisis with all the resources possible and the best science we have is a top priority for President Trump and for everyone at HHS,” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar.
First Edition: September 20, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages express views on these health topics and others.
Opinion writers weigh in on the importance of properly vetting sexual violence claims, in this case allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
Perspectives: Why Does This HIV Drug Cost $75 In Africa and $39,000 In America?
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Senate Approves Bill That Lifts Gag Clauses Preventing Pharmacists From Discussing Drug Prices
The legislation, if it makes it through the House, would be a small win for President Donald Trump, who took to Twitter to champion the bill when it looked to be in danger on Monday.
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Media outlets report on news from Texas, Idaho, Illinois, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Kansas, Georgia, California, Pennsylvania and Arizona.
Bayer Asks Court To Toss $289M Verdict Against Monsanto Weed Killer Blamed For Cancer
Arguing that Roundup poses no health risks, the company said the evidence presented at the trial, the first of thousands to come against glyphosate-based weed killers, was not valid.
Burnout Takes A Bigger Toll On Physicians, But Main Source Of It Remains Undetected
While two JAMA studies report an increase in stress and fatigue among residents and veteran doctors, especially in some specialties, an editorial says burnout is too loosely defined and that spending more time with patients vs. doing administrative work might turn attitudes around.
There’s a regulatory reluctance to impose diversity requirements for drug trials, but that’s left a gaping disparity around who has access to new and life-changing cancer drugs. In other public health news: Alzheimer’s, vaping, marijuana drugs, diabetes, DNA, obesity, and more.
In 2014, One State Had Political Ads Mentioning Opioids. This Year There’s 25.
Ads about the opioid crisis are particularly prominent in hard-hit states, such as Ohio and West Virginia. In other news from the epidemic: pain patients push back on new restrictions on medication and businesses are encouraging workers to be up front about their addiction.
Attorney General Races, Which Usually Fly Under Radar, Are Front And Center As ACA Lawsuit Heats Up
Democratic attorneys general have been using their position to act as a check on President Donald Trump, including a defense of the health law in a case that questioned its constitutionality after the federal government backed the challengers. Now, candidates are using that record as they head into midterms.
HHS Will Take Lead In Trump’s New Strategy To Prepare Country For Bioterror Threats
Officials from the Pentagon, Agriculture and Homeland Security departments will also be involved in the committee, which will survey the country’s preparedness for natural and man-made threats.
Republicans on the Judiciary Committee said that if Christine Blasey Ford does not attend the hearing to investigate the allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh then the event will proceed without her. Democrats, however, quickly backed Ford’s decision.
Florence’s Lingering Public Health Threat: Flood Waters Contaminated As Pig Poop Lagoons Overflow
Animal and human waste from sewage plants contaminating the area’s water is just one of many public health threats that will plague North Carolina long after the rain and wind have gone. Media outlets cover the aftermath of the storm.
Proposed Senate Legislation Would Aim To Curb Sky-High Surprise Medical Bills
The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), would prevent a provider who is outside the patient’s coverage from — in emergency situations — charging more than what would be covered by the insurer. Meanwhile, the Senate’s health committee is dipping its toes into what the government can do about price transparency.
NIH, Opioid Funding Get Big Boost In Spending Bill Senate OK’d In Hopes Of Averting Shutdown
The budget measure also increases spending for Alzheimer’s research to more than $2.3 billion, essentially quadrupling spending levels from four years ago. The measure now goes to the House, where lawmakers are expected to approve it next week, just days ahead of a Sept. 30 deadline to avert a government shutdown.
