Latest KFF Health News Stories
Research Roundup: Microcephaly; Insurance Coverage; And Child Mortality
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Media outlets report on news from California, Oregon, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Washington, Illinois, Texas, Maryland and Florida.
Texas Lawmakers Aim To Reduce Maternity Mortality; Nurse Practitioner Bill Makes Headway In Va.
State legislatures also focus on telemedicine practices and medical marijuana.
‘It’s Just So Scary’: Brett Favre Cringes Over Physical Toll Football Takes On Little Kids
The veteran National Football League star says that with all the new information out about brain damage and concussions that can result from the sport, it’s hard to watch kids play it. In other public health news: gut microbes, seizures, tainted baby formula, Alzheimer’s and heart failure.
Judge Overseeing 200 Suits Against Painkiller Makers Holds Summit To Get To Root Of Crisis
Taking Purdue Pharma’s most powerful pill off the market was one suggestion at the gathering held by U.S. District Judge Dan Polster. Meanwhile, those on the front lines of the epidemic are struggling to deal with the crisis without extra funding from the federal government.
Effectiveness Of Flu Vaccine Looks Like It Will Be Even Lower Than CDC Experts Expected
Canadian researchers offer the first study on the vaccination’s effectiveness in North America this year. Their midseason estimate suggested that the H3N2 component of the vaccine is 17 percent effective at preventing infection.
Bickering In Congress Created Vacuum That Tech Billionaires Decided To Fill With Health Initiative
The idea of businesses stepping in where they see government failing is nothing new. But will the initiative from Amazon, Berkshkire Hathaway and JPMorgan actually succeed with the odds stacked against it?
Oregon VA Clinic Director Accused Of Trying To Game Ratings System Being Replaced
The Roseburg Veterans Administration Medical Center saw its ratings dramatically improve under Douglas Paxton. But doctors said that was driven largely by strategic tweaks to health care practices to boost performance measures, even when they left veterans worse off. Meanwhile, Wisconsin is setting up an alert system to locate at-risk, missing veterans.
‘Palpable Relief’ Sweeps CDC With Announcement Of Acting Director
Anne Schuchat, who has nearly three decades of experience at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will be taking on the role again.
1.84 Percent Rate Hike Proposed For Medicare Advantage Plans In 2019
The increase in what the federal government pays the plans was near to what analysts had expected.
HHS Secretary Expected To Announce Today Work Requirement For Medicaid In Indiana
Secretary Alex Azar has announced he will be speaking about Medicaid in Indiana today. The state’s Medicaid waiver is up for renewal, and officials there have proposed adding a work requirement for non-disabled adults. News outlets also report on Medicaid developments in Iowa, Montana, Virginia and Arkansas.
‘Right-To-Try’ Bills Give Patients False Hope And Weaken FDA Safety Measures, Ethicists Argue
A group of more than 40 medical professionals sent a letter to Congress about the legislation after President Donald Trump mentioned it in his State of the Union address. Meanwhile, the inclusion of the topic in the speech gave advocates for the movement a jolt of momentum.
Few Republicans Have Appetite To Risk Another Repeal Failure In Election Year
“We sort of tested the limits of what we can do in the Senate last year. And we’re one vote down from where we were then,” said Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), the No. 3 GOP leader.
First Edition: February 2, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers look at these healthcare issues and others.
Perspectives: Health Care Innovation Would Be Amazon’s ‘Toughest Fixer Upper To Date’
Editorial pages focus on the initiative to hold down employee health care costs put forth this week from Amazon, JP Morgan Inc. and Berkshire Hathaway.
Longer Looks: ER Bills; The Great Society; Amazon’s New Venture
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets report on news from Massachusetts, Texas, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and California.
About 15 Percent Of Americans Still Smoke — A Look At Who They Are
When looking at smoking rates among different populations massive disparities emerge. In other public health news: birth defects, anxiety, brain damage, migraines, heart health and more.
Standing Desks Are Trendy, But Do They Really Help You Lose Weight? Not So Much.
Researchers found that standing as opposed to sitting burns a whopping 54 extra calories for a six-hour day. However, studies do show that people who have standing desks tend to move more during the day, which wasn’t accounted for in the study.
