Latest KFF Health News Stories
Veterans Affairs Department Has Tens Of Thousands Of Vacancies It Can’t Fill
“It’s crippling our ability to deliver health care to our vets,” Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) said of the personnel crisis.
Conservatives are using the executive order to push federal health officials to approve pending Medicaid work requirement requests in several other Republican-led states. But many poverty experts say the majority of those receiving help from the government already work if they’re able to do so.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers focus on these and other health topics.
Perspectives: Finally, Virginia Inches Closer To Medicaid Expansion
Opinion writers focus on issues surrounding Medicaid.
Media outlets report on news from Kentucky, Mississippi, Minnesota, Louisiana, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, Arizona, Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, South Dakota, Indiana and California.
Hospital Industry In Texas Urban Areas Soars Under Obamacare, But Rural Patients See Decline In Care
“Rural hospital closures have hit Texas especially hard; it has almost twice as many as the second-most state,” said Mark Holmes, an industry analyst. “Losing the emergency room, labor and delivery, and other critical health care services in addition to hundreds of jobs can be devastating to the community.” Hospital news comes from Maryland, Illinois and Massachusetts, as well.
Flint Children To Undergo In-Depth Health Screenings As Part Of Legal Settlement
The agreement settles a part of a lawsuit that accused education officials of not properly screening and evaluating children in Flint to determine if they needed special education services following the city’s water crisis.
Kaiser Permanente Launches $2 Million, Nationwide Initiative To Research Gun Violence
Kaiser Permanente decided to jump-start its effort because of the huge effect of gun violence on its patients. In other news, officials in Ohio urge lawmakers to pass a “red flag” law to confiscate guns.
Scientists Want To Focus On Actual Brain Changes And Not Memory Loss As Way Of Defining Alzheimer’s
The change would be geared toward providing more objective research. It would also mean many more people will be considered to have Alzheimer’s, because the biological signs can show up 15 to 20 years before symptoms do.
Health Scholars Criticize Medicaid Work Requirements, Saying Policy Contradicts Intent Of Program
The scholars voiced their opinion as part of an amicus brief filed as part of a lawsuit challenging Kentucky’s changes to its Medicaid program.
Under Proposed California Bill, State Would Set Prices For Certain Health Care Services
The measure, which is backed by influential unions and opposed by providers, faces an uphill battle in the state Legislature.
One of the common sense ideas that is rejected by health experts is letting patients become smarter shoppers and search out deals. But the idea just doesn’t work.
CVS Pocketed Difference After Improperly Reporting Generic Drug Prices To Government, Lawsuit Claims
CVS Caremark allegedly paid pharmacies lower prices for generic drugs than what Medicare Part D plans were charged, according to the whistle blower lawsuit filed by an actuary at Aetna.
Following Thousands Of Complaints From Women, FDA Puts Restrictions On Bayer’s Birth Control Implant
The FDA said only women who read and have the opportunity to sign a brochure about the risks of the device will be able to receive the implant made by Bayer. The move comes two years after the agency ordered the company to place a “black box warning” on the product package.
California Leads Coalition Of States To Intervene In Texas Suit That Challenges Health Law
“It is a legally unsound action, and it is a dangerous action for millions of Americans who left the bad days of pre-existing conditions and the inability to get care for their children,” California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said of the Texas lawsuit that is challenging the constitutionality of the health law saying the mandate no longer counts as a tax.
Administration Relaxes Essential Benefits Regulations, Creates New Mandate Exemptions
Overall, the Trump administration’s rules addressing the standards for insurers planning to participate in health law marketplaces give more control and further flexibility over to states.
Naloxone Is A Lifesaver For Many, But Its Flaws Have Scientists Calling For New Alternatives
Many experts believe “naloxone is being outgunned” in the opioid crisis that’s fueled by potent drugs like fentanyl and carfentanil. In other news, Congress is set to hold more hearings on the epidemic as lawmakers work toward a bill they want to bring to the floor next month.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages focus on these and other health topics.
