Latest KFF Health News Stories
There’s No Cure For Alzheimer’s But Those Who Are At High Risk Search For One Anyway
With the rise of genetic testing comes the looming knowledge that you may be at risk for a disease that has yet to be conquered by doctors. In other public health news: a possible cure for hair loss, the importance of breakfast, infections in babies, colon cancer, allergies and more.
Administration Pumps Brakes On Study About Public Health Risks Of Coal Mining
“Mountaintop removal mining has been shown to cause lung cancer, heart disease and other medical problems,” said Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) “Stopping this study is a ploy to stop science in its tracks and keep the public in the dark about health risks as a favor to the mining industry, pure and simple.”
‘It’s Only Getting Worse’: Hospitals Flooded With Opioid Patients As Crisis Rages On
There’s been a 64 percent increase in inpatient stays, while emergency room visits related to opioids have doubled since 2005. Meanwhile, Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price praises China’s help in cracking down on opioids. And experts say hospices aren’t doing enough to monitor family members’ potential abuse of patients’ drugs.
Did You Damage Your Eyes Looking At The Eclipse? Probably Not
But if you did, the damage takes one to two days to kick in.
Johnson & Johnson Ordered To Pay $417M In Case Linking Talcum Powder, Ovarian Cancer
Eva Echeverria, 63, of East Los Angeles, is one of thousands of women who sued the consumer products giant, claiming Johnson’s baby powder caused their disease.
Medicaid Officials Say Repeal Effort Bolsters Support Of Program And Efforts To Improve It
Matt Salo, executive director of the National Association of Medicaid Directors, says states will likely soon begin bids to bolster the program to be better coordinated. In other news, Republicans opposed to Medicaid expansion in Maine are beginning to organize to fight a referendum there and Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe presses lawmakers once again to expand the program there.
‘Obviously We Had A Setback’: McConnell Uncertain About Next Steps On Health Care
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) says after Congress returns from recess that Republicans will have to sit down with Democrats and figure out a way forward. Meanwhile, state and local groups are stepping up to preemptively counter any lack of enrollment support from the federal government.
First Edition: August 22, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A selection of opinions on public health issues from around the country.
Editorial writers address a range of health policy issues — including some that touch on topics related to the Affordable Care Act and others that address politics, state-level Medicaid issues and efforts to expand the Medicare program.
Media outlets report on news from Iowa, New Hampshire, Texas, Georgia, Maryland, California, Washington, Florida and Ohio.
Massachusetts’ Largest Health Care System To Spend Up To $90M In Buy-Outs For Hospital Workers
Outlets report on hospital news out of Massachusetts, Illinois, Georgia, Missouri and Florida.
Rural America Needs More Doctors, But Young Physicians Tend To Flock To Cities
Primary care physicians are in particular demand, but the pay discrepancy to other specialties is doing little to help the problem.
Lessons Were Learned From Recent Epidemics, But We’re Still Not Prepared Enough, Expert Says
Dr. Raj Panjabi talks about what experts have learned since Ebola, and the devastating effects cuts to foreign aid would have on the health of Americans. In other public health news: regulating beauty products, stem cells, a “miraculous” oxygen treatment and more.
Uptick In Teen Overdose Deaths ‘A Red Flag’ Mirroring A Trend Seen In Adults
But experts say the increase might just be statistical noise and not indicative of a crisis quite yet. Meanwhile, a look at the company behind the software that links prescription drug monitoring databases.
Trump Looked Like An Answer To Prayers In Counties Suffering Most From ‘Deaths Of Despair’
But residents are now losing hope that the president will be able to change the cycle of alcohol, drugs and suicide that has hit these places so hard.
Business Groups Bemoan Medicare’s ‘Step Backward’ On Payments Based On Value
The Trump administration’s decision last week to slow down efforts to move to bundled payments for some surgeries has raised concerns. Also, Stat looks at the new Medicare information on hospices
White House’s Vaccine Safety Commission Has Mostly Fallen Off Radar
Stat talks with Robert Kennedy Jr., who had been approached by President Donald Trump to chair such a panel.
The Obama administration rule tried to ban nursing homes from requiring residents to sign an arbitration agreement before being admitted to the facility — a standard practice in the industry.
How Typically Risk-Averse Insurers Are Helping Save Obamacare
Companies are stepping in to sell plans in the pockets of the country where other insurers left residents with no options for ACA coverage.
