Latest KFF Health News Stories
Media outlets report on news from Michigan, New Jersey, Tennessee, California, Minnesota, Florida, Georgia and Massachusetts.
Two Drug Crises Collide In Older Patients Being Prescribed Opioids While Hooked On Benzos
But even apart from the added dangers of opioids, advocates say there are too many older Americans relying on anti-anxiety drugs and sleep medications. In other public health news: genetic tests, mutations, our ancestors, heart health, CTE, adults on Adderall, and more.
After Mass Shootings, ‘Why?’ Often Becomes The Most Important Question No One Can Answer
A month after the Parkland, Fla. school massacre, officials still don’t have an explanation for the event. Meanwhile, more states are creating anonymous tip lines to try to prevent a similar tragedy from happening again. And a wrongful death lawsuit in Connecticut could decide if gunmakers can be held responsible for mass shootings.
“Their dreams of future children were irrevocably destroyed,” Adam Wolf, the lawyer for a family suing the San Francisco fertility center, said. “They entrusted their eggs and embryos after exhausting other avenues to have children.”
Virginia was the first state to see its Legislature reshaped by an anti-Trump wave, but while many seats in the House were nabbed by Democrats, the Senate wasn’t touched.
Lawmakers Question Shulkin About Focus On Veterans’ Care Amid Squabbling, Scandal At VA
“I’ve come here to improve the lives of vets. A lot of people are more interested in politics. I’m interested in getting the job done,” Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin said at a House hearing. “I do believe we are getting back on track.”
Middlemen are negotiating contracts deals where pharmacists can’t tell the patients that paying cash might actually be less expensive than the insurance co-payment. The middlemen then pocket the difference. Elsewhere on Capitol Hill, Republicans are signaling support for changes to the 340B drug discount program.
Supreme Court To Hear Free Speech Case Involving Abortion-Information Rules For Pregnancy Centers
The case revolves around a California state law that requires pregnancy centers to let their clients know that abortions and other medical services are available elsewhere, for little or no cost.
The government may be on the hook for up to $20 billion for past and future payments to insurers, who say the administration promised to help cover losses under the health law and then didn’t deliver. Republicans had blocked some of the payments, and the administration says insurers aren’t entitled to funding because it was never appropriated by Congress. The case is now being considered by a federal appeals court. Meanwhile, Idaho officials met with Trump administration officials to talk about a way forward after the state’s proposal to let insurers skirt regulations was shot down.
Trump’s Plan To Combat Opioid Crisis Includes Death Penalty For Drug Dealers
The White House’s most concrete proposal yet to address the national drug epidemic comes after complaints from state health officials and advocates that President Donald Trump has moved too slowly to combat the problem. The plan could be announced as soon as Monday.
FDA Takes ‘Historic First Step’ Toward Cutting Nicotine In Cigarettes To Non-Addictive Levels
The move garnered praise from anti-smoking advocates. “There is no other single action our country can take that would prevent more young people from smoking or save more lives,” said Matthew Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.
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Media outlets report on news from Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, Minnesota, Arizona, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Kansas, Ohio, California,
Ohio Law Banning Down Syndrome Abortions Blocked From Taking Effect
Judge Timothy Black said it was “highly likely” opponents of the measure would succeed in arguing the law is unconstitutional. Also, state lawmakers in Iowa are reconsidering banning abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected.
In the city where they work, the mayor and a House subcommittee plan steps to investigate why the maternal mortality rate in Washington, D.C., is among the nation’s highest. Also in public health news: traffic deaths; obesity; and e-cigarettes.
As Painkiller Pendulum Swings Toward Tighter Controls, Hospitals Cope With Lack Of Access To Opioids
In the midst of the drug crisis, there’s been a nationwide crackdown on pain medication. But hospitals still need to use them to treat patients. Meanwhile, the House will consider 25 bills aimed at curbing the epidemic, and a look at how many overdoses are actually suicides.
“We want our Congress to know that some of us will be old enough to vote in the midterm elections, and the rest of us are going to be able to vote in 2020 or 2022, and they’re going to lose their job if they don’t do what we want to keep us safe,” said Fatima Younis, a student organizer with Women’s March Youth Empower, one of the lead coordinators of Wednesday’s walkouts.
