Latest KFF Health News Stories
An FDA advisory panel gave the green light to the drug, which treats epilepsy, and the full agency is expected to give its approval, as well, sometime in June.
The Washington Post takes a look at the impression Dr. Ronny Jackson has made on colleagues during his tenure serving as a White House physician under three presidents.
Trump Administration Cuts To Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program Unlawful, Federal Judge Rules
The program had provided more than $100 million a year to 81 groups and institutions serving about 1.2 million teens, but the administration abruptly cut off grants last year, arguing that the programs were ineffective at curbing teenage pregnancy.
In a turnaround from previous elections, Republicans are ducking the topic that now fires up the Democratic base more so than the conservative one.
Ahead Of Midterms, Conservative Lawmakers Champing At Bit To Get Anti-Abortion Laws On Books
Anti-abortion lawmakers are hoping to get legislation in the pipeline to trigger a legal challenge for Roe v. Wade.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages focus on these and other health topics.
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets report on news from D.C., California, Texas, Iowa, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Florida, Puerto Rico, Georgia, Ohio, Arizona, Minnesota and Illinois.
Biomedical Tattoos Hold Possibility Of Alerting Patients To Early Signs Of Cancer
Scientists have figured out a way to make cells turn dark like a tattoo when calcium levels in the blood is too high. In other public health news: gene therapy, concussions, categorizing sounds, homeopathic remedies, and autism.
Touted as a “breakthrough” discovery, a new paper challenges the traditional belief that keeping the liver cool while transporting it from donor to recipient will slow the dying process.
Some Good News About Marriage: Melanoma Patients Have Improved Survival Rates
Early detection is key, researchers say, and spouses play an important role by spotting unusual looking moles and encouraging visits to dermatologists.
Disruptions To Medicaid Coverage When Recipients Are In Jail Creates Vicious Cycle Upon Release
The lag it takes to get back on Medicaid can mean relapses or other serious problems for prisoners struggling with addiction or mental health issues. “On the outside, if they didn’t get their treatment, they’d come right back through the front door again,” New Hampshire Department of Corrections Superintendent David Dionne says.
Cigna Confirms That Deal With Express Scripts Will Undergo Review By Justice Department
The Justice Department’s antitrust chief, Makan Delrahim, has taken a tough stand against similar types of deals in the past.
The New Weapon In Ongoing Battle Between Drug Companies And Pharmacy Benefit Managers
Drugmakers are expecting to take a financial hit from the copay accumulator programs that PBMs have begun marketing. And the Supreme Court may review a whistleblower case that could have implications across the pharmaceutical industry.
HHS Secretary Back In Hospital To Be Treated For Intestinal Issue
HHS Secretary Alex Azar has been dealing with diverticulitis, a condition where pouches form in the colon wall and can become inflamed or infected.
Maternal Health Crisis Being Overlooked As Attention Is Focused On Opioid Epidemic, Advocates Say
Advocates say it’s hard to get lawmakers to focus on the issue of up to 900 maternal deaths annually in the U.S. when their attention is on the opioid crisis. “We think this is an issue that touches enough American families that it ought to get the same attention,” said Dr. Neel Shah, vice president of March for Moms.
Lawmakers Want VA To Consider Marijuana As Alternative To Opioids For Treating Pain, PTSD
The measure would kick off a five-year study on the safety and efficacy of marijuana. “As a physician, I’m keenly aware of the need to look for opioid alternatives to treat patients’ chronic pain,” said Rep. Phil Roe (R-Tenn.), the chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
Drugmakers Were Set To Team Up With NIH On Massive Opioid Study But Officials Are Pumping The Brakes
In an abrupt shift, the National Institutes of Health said it won’t take money from the pharmaceutical industry, and will instead fund the study exclusively through taxpayer dollars. In other news on the crisis: a look at the U.S. Public Health Service’s Commissioned Corps, a 6,500-strong group of health experts fighting the epidemic; how the surgeon general’s advice for Americans to carry naloxone will play out; more states are taking the fight against drugmakers to the courts; and more.
No One Should Be ‘Unable To Save A Life Because Of The High Price’ Of Naloxone, Senators Say
Lawmakers are urging HHS to take steps to bring down the price of the antioverdose medication. Meanwhile, in an election year, Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) can’t find Republicans to back her bill to crack down on suspicious opioid shipments, and other lawmakers seek $100 billion to fight the crisis over the next 10 years.
