Latest KFF Health News Stories
Groundbreaking Drugs Could Revolutionize Cancer Treatment. But There’s One Big Hold-Up.
Only a small percentage of patients are willing to test them out. In other public health news: the dangers of blinds; the link between sugary diets during pregnancy and asthma; vaping; probiotics; the human brain; yoga; and more.
Buckle Up, This Flu Season Could Be Long And Vicious
It’s still too early to predict, but there have been indicators that it’s going to be a rough ride this year.
Chronic Pain Patients Become Collateral Damage To Crackdown On Opioids
“Pendulums swing both directions,” said Dr. David Thorson, resident of the Minnesota Medical Association. “Sometimes when they are swinging, they go too far.” In other news on the crisis: a lawsuit claims McKesson didn’t audit controls for painkillers; the FDA is being urged to crack down on medications touting that they ease addiction side effects; with shortage on execution drugs, states are starting to eye opioids; and more.
Looking To Compare Prices For Health Care? The Internet Is Not Your Friend
New research shows that patients who are trying to be savvy consumers are not going to have much luck if they turn to the internet.
The program — a part of the Affordable Care Act — created financial penalties for hospitals whose readmissions exceed the national average for patients with certain ailments. But even though the research shows it helped improve rates, critics say that’s because hospitals are taking shortcuts that don’t help the patient. Meanwhile, Ascension Health and Providence St. Joseph Health are the latest to spark rumors about a possible merger.
Drugmakers Files Lawsuit Fighting California’s Drug Pricing Law
The drug industry’s primary lobbying group is challenging the constitutionality of a California law intended to make prescription drug pricing more transparent.
Fed Up With Drug Cost Sticker Shock, Consumers Finding Medication Online For Nearly Half The Price
Consumers are turning to sites such as GoodRx to see if their prices can beat the ones they get through their insurance. And in some cases they’re finding success.
GOP Plans To Revise Medicare Signal Bitter Political Fight In 2018
Key Republicans, including House Speaker Paul Ryan, have said that once they pass their tax bill they would like to turn to restructuring the country’s entitlement programs like Medicare, Medicaid and welfare.
Critics Slam GOP’s CHIP Extension As Providing ‘Health Care For Some At Expense Of Others’
House Democrats urged congressional leaders not to accept the “highly partisan bill.” Outlets report on Medicaid news out of Louisiana and Texas, as well.
Tax Credit That Encouraged Development Of ‘Orphan Drugs’ Likely On Chopping Block
The credit provided incentive for drugmakers to spend money on creating costly treatments for small populations. The Senate and the House are working out the differences between the two versions of the tax overhaul.
With Many Already Exempt From Individual Mandate, Will Repealing It Actually Damage Markets?
Republicans are touting their anticipated victory and Democrats are warning of an oncoming disaster, but experts say it might not actually be that big of a deal if the mandate is repealed.
Heavy Traffic Expected In Last Week Of Shorter Open Enrollment Period
“It’s more likely than ever that they’re going to run into real volume problems in the last week because that’s when everybody is going to show up,” says Tim Jost, a legal analyst. Friday is the last day for people to sign up for coverage through the federal and some state-run exchanges.
First Edition: December 11, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: CHIP On ‘Brink Of Elimination’; Trump’s Silence On Drug Prices; Tracing Opioids
A selection of opinions on health care from news outlets around the country.
Media outlets report on news from Massachusetts, New York, Florida, New Jersey, Ohio, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Research Roundup: Medicaid Expansion, Guns and Opioids
Here is a selection of news coverage of other recent research:
Even doctors, who know when it’s necessary, procrastinate about seeking medical care. The Boston Globe looks at why we do this. In other public health news: gene editing, diabetes, marijuana, suicide, arsenic, smog and more.
Initiative In Ohio Encouraging Innovators To Think Outside The Box To Combat Opioid Crisis
The program is distributing millions of dollars to companies to develop solutions such as implants that could someday relieve pain without relying upon opioids and a medication that’s designed to use the body’s natural digestive process to prevent overdoses.
There Are Hints That Flu Season Is Going To Be Ferocious, So Officials Say Get Your Shot
So far, the strain that is most common is the one that is less vulnerable to vaccines. But officials say that, even so, it’s still worth getting the shot.
The Lost Mothers: African American Women Share Stories Of Severe Maternal Complications
African American women disproportionately experience complications from pregnancy and child birth. ProPublica talks to 10 mothers about their experiences as part of an investigation into why it’s happening.
