Latest KFF Health News Stories
N.H., Baltimore Want To Curb Soda Consumption For Kids At Restaurants
Meanwhile, McDonald’s has announced it is removing cheeseburgers as an option for kids’ meals. By 2022, McDonald’s aims to have at least half of its Happy Meals contain 600 calories or less.
Fecal Transplants Gaining Traction In Era Where Doctors Are Trying To Rein In Use Of Antibiotics
The Infectious Diseases Society of America is now recommending fecal transplants at least be considered for patients with C. diff. In other public health news: hysterectomies, yellow fever, breastfeeding, autism, HPV, medical records and more.
During A Nasty Flu Season, Promising Drug That Kills The Virus Is On Horizon
A Japanese company says its drug reduced influenza viral load to undetectable levels within 24 hours for more than half of the 414 participants in a study. Tamiflu similarly killed the virus, but only in 9 percent of its participants, the company said.
Blood Test For Concussions Approved By FDA For First Time
Currently, most patients with suspected traumatic brain injury are evaluated using a neurological exam, followed by a CT scan. FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said that the blood test could save the health care system money by preventing unnecessary scans.
Surge Of Babies Born Addicted To Opioids Has Outpaced Science Of How To Treat Them
Hospitals around the United States are taking a scattershot approach to treating the tremors, hard-to-soothe crying, diarrhea, and other hallmark symptoms of newborn abstinence syndrome. In other news: a medication-assisted treatment program in Rhode Island jails shows success; public health advocates are concerned with the pick for “drug czar”; the surgeon general has advice about supporting long-time recovery in those battling addiction; senators want information on if new opioid rules are working; and more.
‘People Are Afraid’: Families Who Rely On Safety Net Programs Despair Over Trump’s Budget Proposal
The plan takes aim at programs like Medicaid that are designed to help struggling Americans. Those who receive benefits are afraid of what the proposed cuts means for them. Meanwhile, House Democrats are asking the HHS Secretary to reject states’ requests to enforce Medicaid work requirements, and Kentucky’s changes to its program will actually cost the state more money than if it didn’t touch it.
In An Industry Going Through Major Upheaval, Health Companies That Do Nothing Are At Risk
Mergers and acquisitions are running rampant in the health industry, and companies that don’t join in stand to lose more than if they take a risk that might potentially fail.
Aging Population, High Prices Will Continue Fueling Rise In Health Care Spending Levels
Prescription drugs account for the fastest increase — 6.3 percent a year on average — due to the high cost of advanced medications.
After Year Of Racking Up Wins, Rare Loss In Budget Deal Has Pharma Mobilizing
The provision in the deal raises the share of costs that drug companies have to pick up as part of closing the so-called Medicare Part D “doughnut hole.” Drugmakers are moving quickly to try to get that measure rolled back or repealed.
As Midterms Inch Closer, Republican Lawmakers Start To Take Softer Stance On Health Law
Some of those who adamantly opposed any action to shore up the marketplaces have reversed course in a politically charged year. Meanwhile, a new analysis by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services actuaries shows that with the repeal of the individual mandate 37.7 million people will be uninsured by 2026.
Idaho’s Brazen Gambit To Shake Off ACA Rules Being Watched Closely By Other States, Legal Experts
Dean Cameron, director of the Idaho Department of Insurance, said that “dozens” of red states have already expressed interest in potentially emulating the state’s plan. But legal experts say they absolutely expect costly and time-consuming lawsuits over the move.
The inspector general report also found that, among other “serious derelictions,” Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin also improperly accepted tickets to Wimbledon. “This was time that should have been spent conducting official V.A. business and not providing personal travel concierge services to Secretary Shulkin and his wife,” Inspector General Michael J. Missal concluded in the report.
First Edition: February 15, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages highlight these and other health care issues.
Perspectives: Drug Prices Problem In U.S. Requires Major Surgery. Trump Just Gave Us A Band-Aid.
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Drugmakers On Edge As States Begin To Target Specific Medicines Using Transparency Laws
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Media outlets report on news from Georgia, California, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Texas, New Hampshire, Colorado, Wisconsin, Oregon and Missouri.
Oregon Takes Steps Toward Enshrining Right To Health Care In State Constitution
The state’s House of Representatives approved the measure, sending it to the Senate. If the upper chamber passes the bill, the question will go in front of voters on November’s ballot. The legislation declares, “It is the obligation of the state to ensure that every resident of Oregon has access to cost-effective, medically appropriate and affordable health care as a fundamental right.”
Olympian Throws Spotlight On Often-Overlooked Problem Of Eating Disorders In Men
Figure skater Adam Rippon opens up about his relationship with food and weight. In other public health news: the health benefits of chocolate, Alzheimer’s, antibiotics, obesity and dementia.
More Than 320 Counties, Cities And States Are Suing Drugmakers For Role In Opioid Epidemic
Local and state leaders have been turning toward the legal system in their battle against the opioid crisis. In other news, the White House has approved research into which addiction treatments actually work best; doctors say Purdue’s decision to stop marketing OxyContin is “20 years late”; and experts react to Attorney General Jeff Session’s comments that patients should just “take some aspirin sometimes and tough it out a little bit.”
