Latest KFF Health News Stories
Anti-Tobacco Ads Shine Spotlight On Stark Statistics About Who Actually Smokes Cigarettes
A disproportionately high number of smokers are soldiers or have a mental illness, the ads claim. Meanwhile, a separate study finds that a $1 increase in the price of a pack of cigarettes helps cut smoking rates.
Profit Mining The Opioid Epidemic: When Relapse Is More Lucrative Than Recovery
A growing number of unscrupulous industry players are focusing on getting addicts to relapse so that insurance dollars keep rolling in, according to law enforcement officials, treatment experts and addicts in recovery.
Once Considered A Relic Of The Past, Syphilis Is Rearing Its Deadly Head Again
Health officials have been caught flat-footed by the resurgence of the sexually transmitted disease. In other public health news: exoskeletons, sedation for children, health disparities in Appalachia, rheumatoid arthritis and more.
In Alaska, Dangers Of Rural Births Alleviated By Pre-Maternal Residencies
In a small community in rural Alaska, a house offers women a safe place to live and get care in the month before their due date, in an effort to limit complications associated with giving birth hours away from a medical facility. Meanwhile, a new study argues that abstinence-only education is not only unrealistic, but also unethical.
Epilepsy Drug Could Be Pivotal For Both Patients And Sage Therapeutics
There are currently no approved drugs to treat a severe form of epilepsy, and Sage Therapeutics’ medication could offer desperate patients hope. It could also make a bundle for the company.
Medicare Moves To Help Doctors Know Which Patients Are Assigned To ACOs
Doctors have complained about the current process under which patients are primarily assigned retroactively to accountable care organizations. That process will change next year. Also, some doctors are saying they may be left out of the transition to value-based care by new Medicare requirements.
Concerns Over Trump’s Mental Health No Longer Just Fodder For Late Night TV Hosts
President Donald Trump’s behavior over North Korea and Charlottesville have even his allies talking about his mental health.
White House Guidelines To Give Defense Secretary Six Months To Implement Transgender Ban
A memo will direct the Pentagon to stop admitting transgender people, and give Defense Secretary Jim Mattis the power to decide whether to kick active members out of service. Previously, the policy had only been laid out in a series of tweets from President Donald Trump.
At Meeting With Constituents, Sen. Heller Defends His Mixed Record In Health Law Debate
Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) voted to start debate in the Senate on a bill to replace Obamacare but voted against two repeal bills and supported a failed “skinny repeal” measure that would have kept the Medicaid expansion. Also in the news, Politico Pro examines how Arkansas’ request to trim back its Medicaid expansion could impact other states.
Critics Say Iowa’s Stopgap Plan For Its Individual Marketplace Hurts Low-Income Residents
But Iowa’s Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen argues that the proposed redistribution of federal subsidy dollars is necessary to make premiums more affordable for Iowans of all income levels, which will stabilize the marketplace.
Despite Public Tension, McConnell Promises He And Trump Have ‘Shared Goals’
President Donald Trump has lumped significant public blame for the failure of Congress’ repeal-and-replace efforts on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s shoulders.
Mix Of Republican, Democratic Governors Set To Testify At Senate Health Care Hearing
The state leaders will appear at the second of two hearings in front of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. They’ll be focusing on ways to make insurance more affordable and to shore up the individual marketplaces.
First Edition: August 24, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A selection of opinions on public health issues from around the country.
Different Takes: Medicare’s Troubles; What About Insurers And Preexisting Conditions?
Opinion writers offer their thoughts on a range of health policy issues, from the future of Medicare and how Medicaid expansion is working in states such as Georgia to insurance cost and coverage.
Perspectives: Congressional Investigation Into MS Drugs Is A Pageant We’ve Seen Before
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Expensive Cholesterol Drugs’ Value Falls Short Of Their Eye-Popping Price Tag, Doctors Say
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Media outlets report on news from Ohio, New Hampshire, California, Illinois and Minnesota.
For $39 A Month, This ‘Woebot’ May Fill Gaps For Patients Who Can’t See A Therapist
The creators of the chatbot see it as a way to help patients when a therapist isn’t available. “You can access it when you need it most,” says former Stanford researcher Alison Darcy. “If it’s 2 a.m. and you’re having a panic attack, a physician isn’t going to be available at that time.” Meanwhile, researchers find that wireless “smart” pill bottles don’t really do anything to help people remember to take their medicine.
Company Claims Heating, Rather Than Burning, Cigarettes Drastically Cuts Cancer Risk
But health advocates are skeptical, and are urging the Food and Drug Administration to carefully review the method before approving it. In other public health news: talcum powder and cancer, aging like an athlete and “mini organs.”
