Latest KFF Health News Stories
Oregon Hospital Reverses ‘Archaic Transplant Policy’ After Undocumented Woman Denied A Liver
When Silvia Lesama-Santos could not produce documents to show she was in the country legally she was denied a transplant through the Oregon Health and Science University. The decision immediately received backlash as being “cruel and inhumane,” leading to the facility to change its policy.
Getting To The Olympics Takes Years Of Training And Dedication … For These Doctors
Getting onto the crew of medical personnel that care for the Olympic athletes isn’t easy, nor is it paid. But for the doctors, getting a taste of Olympic glory, even if it’s just vicarious, is worth it.
Researchers study how people react to a large political shift, and whether they exhibit psychical symptoms of depression. In other public health news: the human genome, suicide, bacteria in hospitals, breast cancer and dementia.
In Midst Of Flu Season That’s Hit Kids Hard, Here’s What To Look Out For As A Parent
“The trick with the flu is that it happens very quickly,” said Dr. Flor M. Munoz. “You have to be really paying attention. Things can progress within 48 hours or so.” Media outlets report on flu news out of Texas, Florida and Wisconsin, as well.
The Government Accountability Office recommends more federal guidance from the Department of Health and Human Services on what states and hospitals should do when it comes to infants affected by the opioid crisis, but the agency says it’s doing enough. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump in recent speeches seems to be focusing on law enforcement over treatment to curb epidemic.
Abortion Debates Ramp Up in Many States; Planned Parenthood Begins Search For Next President
While Mississippi’s House recently passed the strictest bill on record, banning abortions more than 15 months after contraception, other states eye limits for certain fetal conditions. Meanwhile, former Planned Parenthood board member Anna Quindlen is tagged to lead the search to replace Cecile Richards.
Strong Medicare Advantage Growth Helps Humana Beat Q4 Revenue Projections
The insurer’s revenue, driven largely by Medicare Advantage premiums, grew 3.8 percent to $10.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2017.
Iowa Lawmaker Introduces Medicaid Work Requirement Bill
The Trump administration is encouraging states to pursue such requirements, though critics of a work mandate say most adults on Medicaid already work or are too disabled or sick to do so.
HHS Reiterates ‘Commitment’ To Family Planning Program Amid Months-Long Delays In Grant Approvals
Family planning providers have been worried the delay signals that the Trump administration is no longer in support of the Title X program, which helps fund reproductive health services for low-income women.
House Changes To ‘Right To Try’ Legislation May Bog Down Chances In Senate
The original bill on experimental drugs passed the Senate by unanimous consent, but some House lawmakers eye modifications in its version. Meanwhile, a U.S. attorney considers reopening a federal investigation of Allergan’s drug marketing practices.
Health Law Enrollment Drops Only Slightly Following Tumultuous, Topsy-Turvy Year
Total signups slid by 3.7 percent, which was a much lower drop-off than most experts initially predicted. Meanwhile, states that ran their own exchanges far outperformed those that relied on the federal marketplace.
Senate Democrats Rack Up Number Of Health Care Victories In Spending Bill
The two-year budget deal includes funding for community health centers, extends CHIP for a total of 10 years, funnels money into fighting the opioid epidemic and boosts the National Institutes of Health’s budget, among other things. Other areas of health industry are being targeted in order to pay for the package though. The Senate and House are both expected to vote on the proposed deal Thursday.
First Edition: February 8, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages focus on these health issues and others.
Opinion writers express views on improving health care and reducing costs.
Perspectives: CMS Takes Steps to Ensure Patients Benefit From Negotiated Discounts
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Media outlets report on news from Florida, Ohio, Iowa, Maryland, California, New Hampshire, Colorado, New York, Virginia, Massachusetts and Texas.
As Many Kids Have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome As Autism, Yet They Are Slipping Through Cracks
New research finds that fetal alcohol spectrum disorders affect 1.1 to 5 percent of children in the country. In other public health news: stroke treatment, untreated water, black lung, death and aging, car horns and health, and more.
A Pacemaker For The Brain: Implant To Boost Memory Shows Promising Results
In testing, the device improved word recall by 15 percent — roughly the amount that Alzheimer’s disease steals over two and half years.
Lack Of Diversity Among Doctors Seen As Brewing Public Health Crisis
Stat talks to a group of doctors who are traveling the country and meeting with young people of color who are interested in health career paths.
