Latest KFF Health News Stories
AMA Poised To Vote On Whether Birth Control Should Be Sold Without A Prescription
There’s been recent pressure on drugmakers to provide the contraception over the counter, and the physicians may be the latest to join in the movement. In other pharmaceutical news, another drugmaker has agreed to pay a penalty over its relationship with patient charities.
The Cost Of Louisiana Defending Its Anti-Abortion Laws In Recent Years: More Than $1 Million
And it’s expected to spend more as cases make their way through the judicial system. Meanwhile, leaders at Missouri-area Planned Parenthood offices denounced the proposed changes to the federal Title X family funding program.
One More Dangerous Complication Of The Opioid Epidemic: Superbugs
Infections are on the rise among those who inject drugs. MRSA “is on the skin, and as the needle goes into the skin it brings the bacteria with it,” explained Dr. Isaac See of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In other news on the epidemic: the White House launches a public service ad campaign, the ACLU sues to require jails to provide withdrawal medication to prisoners, and states are moving forward with efforts to curb the crisis even as they keep an eye on federal legislation.
Buffett Touts CEO Pick For Health-Care Venture: ‘We Have An Outstanding Individual’
The leaders of the three businesses involved in the health care partnership are likely to announce the CEO in a few weeks. The venture, which was announced in January, was created to find a way to trim health care costs.
The bill President Donald Trump signed into law Wednesday is not going to hold up to his promises, won’t be funded and will further frustrate many veterans, according to a report from The Associated Press.
Whether to expand the program has been a contentious question in Virginia, even holding up the budget negotiations this spring. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) signed the legislation Thursday, making Virginia the 33rd state to expand Medicaid.
Mysterious Brain Injuries Prompt State Department To Issue Health Alert For All Of China
U.S. personnel have experienced symptoms of a mysterious illness after hearing strange sounds. American diplomats had experienced similar symptoms in Cuba, and the United States said the Americans were targets of “specific attacks” there.
The test — which detects changes in RNA circulating in a pregnant woman’s blood — estimates due dates within two weeks in nearly half the cases, making it as accurate as the current, more expensive method. In other public health news: vaping, tonsillectomies, HPV vaccines, depression, the plague, e-cigarettes and Zika.
CDC researchers emphasized in their report that more than half of those suicides were committed by people who had not been diagnosed with a mental health disorder. Noting that suicide is “very rare” among those with chronic depression, they said friends, families and co-workers should not overlook the risk of self-harm among those who have never been diagnosed with mental illness.
Trump’s Proposed $15B In Spending Cuts Passes Through House On Closer-Than-Expected Vote
Some lawmakers have been reluctant to pass the legislation as it targets unused funds for the popular CHIP program. But the measure, which passed 210-206, would take a mostly symbolic whack at government spending because it would basically eliminate leftover funding that wouldn’t have been spent anyway.
The issue is divisive within the party and also leaves progressive Democrats open for attack from Republicans claiming the candidates are supporting socialized medicine. Democrats are trying to hone their message to signal support for more universal health care while also avoiding the contentious phrase. Meanwhile, health care is found to be top of mind for voters as the midterm elections creep closer.
N.C. Farm Bureau Wants To Eschew Some Of Health Law’s Rules — And It Has A Blueprint To Follow
The North Carolina Farm Bureau has looked to Iowa and Tennessee organizations to model their requests to skirt health law regulations. The bureau’s pitch to state lawmakers comes after the Trump administration in January proposed a rule to allow more small businesses and self-employed workers to band together to buy insurance through association health plans. Meanwhile, although there are some bright spots, it looks like premiums will skyrocket again next year.
The provisions that should be “struck down” include protecting people with pre-existing medical conditions from being charged more or being denied coverage, according to the Justice Department. Now, it will be up to several Democratic state attorneys general to defend the law, and they have already received permission to intervene in the case.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Research Roundup: Suicide Ideation; Medicaid Expansion; And Premium Changes
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Opinion writers focus on these and other health care issues.
Opinion writers look at health policies and potential pitfalls they face.
Longer Looks: Equality In Medicine; Title X; And Police Promoting Addiction Treatment
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets report on news from Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, California, Ohio, Kansas, New Hampshire, Louisiana and Florida.
Marijuana Addiction Is Surging, But Experts Are Having Hard Time Convincing People It Even Exists
Treatment centers are seeing an upswing in people seeking help for marijuana dependency. But as the drug gains in popularity and public acceptance, doctors are battling the misconception that pot is not addicting. In other public health news: Ebola, eyesight, 3-parent babies, tobacco, hepatitis C, liver disease, malpractice, and more.
