Latest KFF Health News Stories
Media outlets report on news from Connecticut, Missouri, California, Illinois, Wyoming, Minnesota, Ohio, Delaware, Maryland, New Hampshire, Georgia, Louisiana, Florida and Wisconsin.
‘Most Recognized Book In All Of Medicine’ Becomes Case Study In Hidden Conflicts Of Interest
A new study found that authors of Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine received more than $11 million between 2009 and 2013 from makers of drugs and medical devices — not a penny of which was disclosed to readers.
Down Syndrome Legislation Becomes New Frontier For Anti-Abortion Activists
As the anti-abortion movement continues to focus on state legislation, one of the latest measures growing in popularity are bills banning abortions for the sole reason that the fetus has Down syndrome.
Colistin is often the only antibiotic that will work against these highly drug-resistant bacteria. But scientists have discovered a new way bacteria are resisting the medication. In other public health news: gender bias in babies, depression, heart disease, football-related brain injuries, sickle cell, and ER care at home.
Burdens Of Striving For Low Glucose Levels In Diabetics Outweigh Benefits, Doctors Group Says
The American College of Physicians issued new guidance that doctors and patients should aim for hemoglobin A1C rates slightly higher than have been recommended in the past. However, the American Diabetes Association disagrees with the new standards.
This Judge Overseeing More Than 400 Opioid Cases Is Going Wildly Off Script. Will It Work?
Judge Dan Polster of the Northern District of Ohio is adjudicating the consolidated legal cases against drugmakers for their alleged role in the opioid epidemic. He has already informed the lawyers that he intends to dispense with legal norms like discovery, and is after a real solution to the crisis. The move is shaking up legal circles, according to advocates and industry watchers.
Despite Dark, Abuse-Ridden History Of Mental Asylums, Some Experts Argue They Should Be Brought Back
President Donald Trump recently renewed a conversation about mental institutions as he talked about ways to fix the psychological health system after the Florida shooting. While experts say asylums wouldn’t have served to prevent the massacre, some do see the societal need for them. “When people are going back and forth from prisons to hospitals, that’s a sign they might have benefited from longer-term treatment options,” said Dominic Sisti, a medical ethicist.
‘Change Is Coming’: HHS Secretary Maps Out Blueprint To Lower Health Care Costs
The Trump administration will make it easier for patients to access their health records, encourage health providers to be more transparent about the costs of procedures and services and remove regulations that “impede” innovation, HHS Secretary Alex Azar told industry officials.
The Center for American Progress’ plan keeps insurers and employer-based coverage in the mix. Even though the proposal is not as all-encompassing as his, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) says it shows Democrats are moving in the right direction.
Arkansas’ Work Mandate Request Approved, But Government Stalls On Rolling Back Expansion
Arkansas joins Kentucky and Indiana as the third state to get the federal OK to impose work requirements on Medicaid recipients. But the state’s second proposal, which would lower the Medicaid eligibility cap from 138 percent of the federal poverty level to 100 percent, hasn’t been approved yet.
New Hampshire Moves To Ban Practice That Can Lead To Astronomical Surprise Hospitals Bills
The practice of “balance billing” involves hidden fees added by in-network hospitals quietly employing out-of-network specialists. The insurance company picks up the tab for the in-network services, then the hospital, facing an unpaid balance from the out-of-network care, passes on the remainder to the customer.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Junk Insurance Can Harm Your Health, Finances; Time To Reexamine Mental Health Laws
Editorial pages highlight these and other health topics.
Opinion pages focus on healthy policies regarding the opioid epidemic.
Media outlets report on news from New York, Iowa, Puerto Rico, Georgia, Texas, Florida, Minnesota, Vermont, Maryland, Kentucky, Ohio, and Seattle.
An Exercise Pill? Scientists Trying To ‘Game The System’ For Those With Limited Physical Options
Researchers are working to create a pill that could trigger the body into mimicking the positive effects of working out to help benefit post-op patients, those with muscle-related diseases and others.
Home Care Industry Worried About Immigration Policies Even For Workers In Country Legally
About a quarter of the nearly three million people who work in the home health care industry are immigrants. And some of the administration’s stances could negatively effect the pipeline for that workforce.
In Largest-Ever Midterm Campaign, Planned Parenthood To Sink $20M Into Races
The Planned Parenthood Action Fund will initially target races in Arizona, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, though that roster could change as the election cycle evolves. Meanwhile, in other women’s health news, the Washington state Legislature has voted to require insurers to cover abortions and birth control.
Modern Healthcare takes a deep dive into artificial intelligence’s role in the health care landscape and what the future holds.
Vets With PTSD Face Bias From Navy Board That Oversees Discharge Upgrade Requests, Lawsuit Claims
The case is the latest in a series of lawsuits by the university’s Veterans Legal Services Clinic, seeking recognition that vast numbers of veterans have been improperly discharged and denied the benefits that were meant to help them re-enter society.
