Latest KFF Health News Stories
No-Show Patients Are A Huge Problem In Health Care. Uber Sees Itself As The Solution.
Uber has announced it’s launching a new branch called Uber Health, which will ferry patients to nonemergency medical appointments. It will be set up so that the medical provider would be billed for the service and not the patient.
Sen. Hatch Slams Anyone Who Supports Health Law, As Poll Finds Its Favorability Is At All-Time High
Separately, the poll found that health care costs are the top health care issue that voters want to hear candidates talk about ahead of this year’s midterm elections. Meanwhile, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) had some choice words for both the legislation and the “dumbass” people who support it.
The Troubled Indian Health Services Agency Has Been Without Permanent Leader Since 2015
President Donald Trump’s latest nominee withdrew from consideration following allegations he exaggerated his work experience. Senators are calling on the administration to move quickly on a replacement.
Day After Embracing Comprehensive Gun Control, Trump Has ‘Great’ Meeting With NRA Lobbyist
The tone of tweets from both President Donald Trump and the lobbyist suggest that the president is walking back from the support he voiced the previous day for tighter gun restrictions. Meanwhile Democrats are calling for gun research funding at the same time a report finds that gun policy science is lacking overall.
Sessions Tells DEA To Study Opioid Production Quotas, Consider Cuts
The DEA annually sets the production and manufacturing quotas for Schedule I and II controlled substances. Between 1993 and 2015, the DEA approved a 39-fold increase of oxycodone, 12-fold increase of hydrocodone and a 25-fold increase of fentanyl.
Trump Broaches Idea Of Death Penalty For Dealers To Help Curb Opioid Epidemic
At an opioid summit at the White House, President Donald Trump focused on criminal penalties, alarming advocates who want leaders to concentrate on treatment rather than punishment.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers focus on these health issues and others.
Longer Looks: Treating Parkland Victims; Fraudulent Food Science; And Russia’s HIV Epidemic
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets report on news from Florida, Minnesota, Illinois, Georgia, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Missouri, Virginia, California, Ohio, Arizona, Wisconsin and Texas.
The restructuring of MassHealth is among the most significant health care initiatives to come from the administration of Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican who has been focused on containing the costs of the massive program. In other Medicaid news: work requirements, premiums, and opioids.
As Rural Hospitals Close, Communities May Be Forced To Make Tough Decisions
Hospitals tend to be cornerstone institutions in rural communities, but many of them, under financial stress, are closing. Meanwhile, Community Health Systems’ stock dropped amid reports of a $2 billion net loss in the fourth quarter.
After Daughter’s Death From Flu, Mother Leads Charge Against Anti-Vaccination Mentality
Three-quarters of this year’s pediatric flu deaths were in children who did not have a flu shot. In other public health news: eye health, c-sections, the “obesity paradox,” diet soda, the cosmetics industry and hydration.
Rise In Transgender Surgeries May Be Result Of Expanded Insurance Coverage, Experts Say
The number of people who were paying out of pocket for transgender surgeries plummeted to 39 percent between 2012 and 2014. Now, virtually every major medical association in the United States has described transition-related surgeries as “medically necessary.”
Everyone’s Talking About Fighting Opioid Crisis, But Advocates Still Aren’t Seeing Any New Money
President Donald Trump plans to discuss the national epidemic with administration officials on Thursday, following this week’s Capitol Hill hearings, about ways to curb the crisis. But advocates on the front lines are struggling with deep funding challenges.
Administration’s Decision To Halt Abortions Among Undocumented Minors Lacked Legal Vetting
Documents released by the ACLU show the decisions were made informally by email, memos and conversations rather than going through the normal legal process.
Antiquated System Shrouded In Secrecy Keeps Patients In The Dark About Bad Doctors
Doctors who get in trouble in one state can just move on to another, and often practice free and clear despite having been publicly disciplined, chastised or barred from practicing by state medical boards.
This Patent Lawyer May Be Most Powerful Man In Washington When It Comes To Curbing Drug Costs
Newly installed Patent and Trademark Office Director Andrei Iancu holds substantial sway over an intellectual property system that, critics say, has allowed drug makers to extend their monopolies through legal but questionable tactics. In other pharmaceutical news: orphan drugs, FDA regulations, the “Pharma Bro” and more.
Lawmakers Mull Complicated Maneuver To Stabilize Exchanges Without Having To Find Budget Offsets
While the process would be complex, the end result would be simple: It would allow Republicans to fund the insurer cost-sharing reductions without having to find a way to pay for them. In other health law news, an analysis projects that the administration’s expansion of association plans will lead to 4.3 million people leaving the individual and small-group insurance markets.
Walmart, Dick’s Will Institute Age Bans On Guns And No Longer Sell Assault-Style Rifles
The moves by the companies come as other major corporations have been distancing themselves from the NRA after the mass school shooting in Florida.
