Latest KFF Health News Stories
Who Needs Romance When You Have Gene Compatibility? New App Matches Users Based On DNA
Experts say there isn’t much science supporting the idea that you can find a genetically compatible date. In other public health news: cough syrup, medical research, Googling symptoms, back pain, heart health and more.
Heart Bypass Surgery Used To Be Considered Risky, But Advances Have Made It Safer And Safer
Deaths before being discharged from the hospital are down to between 1 and 3 percent.
Childhood Obesity Hopes Dashed: Rates Are Not Declining, Contrary To Earlier Reports
The latest analysis shows that the percentage of children ages 2 to 19 who are obese increased from 14 percent in 1999 to 18.5 percent in 2015 and 2016. “Clearly, obesity remains a problem,” says Asheley Skinner, of Duke University. Other news on children focuses on screening for depression and warnings about irritability.
The Peak Of This Terrible Flu Season Might Actually Be Behind Us
But that doesn’t mean it’s gone. “We’re likely to see influenza continue to circulate until mid-April,” said Daniel Jernigan, director of the CDC’s flu division.
Azar OKs Expanded Access To Medication-Assisted Therapies For Those Addicted To Opioids
The move is part of a broader push by FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb to treat the opioid epidemic as a health issue and not a moral failing. Meanwhile, Congress is looking to tackle the crisis, starting with a series of hearings this week.
“Hospitals will start to evolve into large intensive-care units, where you go to get highly specialized, highly technical or serious critical care,” predicts Bruce Leff, of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
The CDC Lab That Holds Some Of World’s Deadliest Pathogens Showing Signs Of Age
The agency is asking Congress for $350 million to build a new high-containment lab complex on the CDC campus.
Places With Religious Background, Abstinence-Based Methods Will Get Family-Planning Funding Priority
The HHS Office of Population Affairs released a long-awaited funding announcement Friday for $260 million in funding for Title X grants. The new rules could make it harder for Planned Parenthood to qualify for the money.
‘We’re Not Finished Yet’: Trump Touts Steps He’s Taken To Chip Away At Health Law ‘Piece By Piece’
President Donald Trump spoke to the Conservative Political Action Conference after his administration issued a rule to relax restrictions around short-term insurance plans. Meanwhile, an analysis by the Urban Institute shows that the changes Trump has made will drive premiums up in most states next year.
Governors Urge ‘Reasonable Approaches’ For Gun Control At National Meeting
Governors who had previously opposed changes to gun laws seemed open to considering new measures during the National Governors Association meeting, in a sign of a possible shifting tide following the mass shooting in Parkland, Fla. The governors also worked on other hot-button health care issues over the weekend.
While some Republicans have signaled that they’re open to some new gun measures, the contentious issue is still likely to roil Capitol Hill during a politically charged, and already busy, election year.
First Edition: February 26, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages look at these health care issues and others.
Research Roundup: SNAP; HSAs; Medicaid and Billing
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Media outlets report on news from Georgia, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Kentucky, Minnesota, Virginia, California, Ohio, Oregon, Colorado, Florida and Puerto Rico.
Testing Drugs On ‘Mini-Hearts’ Created In Labs Could Prevent Clinical Trials’ Harmful Consequences
A biomechanical engineer has created the first heart organoid that contains a hollow chamber, like one of the four in actual human hearts, that responds to stress hormones and beats with electrical activity. The innovation could open doors for safe and effective research. In other public health news: sepsis, fitness trackers, cancer treatments, measles, antidepressants, and supplements.
Midwives Are Rare In U.S., But Empowering Them Could Significantly Boost Maternal, Infant Health
A new study found states that have done the most to integrate midwives into their health care systems — including Washington, New Mexico and Oregon — have some of the best outcomes for mothers and babies.
A Month On The Job And HHS Secretary Is Already Lowering Drug Prices, According To Trump
HHS Secretary Alex Azar is “setting the world on fire,” President Donald Trump said. Although Azar has signaled that drug prices are a priority, he’s not yet taken dramatic action on the subject. Meanwhile, an Illinois state lawmaker has introduced legislation intended to stop price-gouging on generic drugs.
Bloomberg Businessweek takes a closer look at the health initiative being launched by Jeff Bezos’ Amazon, Jamie Dimon’s JPMorgan Chase and Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway.
Virginia House, Senate On Collision Course Over Medicaid Expansion
After House Republicans abandoned their years-long opposition to expansion, the lower chamber included it in its proposed budget. In the Senate, though, GOP lawmakers have not softened their stance. Outlets report on Medicaid news out of Kansas and Montana, as well.
