Latest KFF Health News Stories
Outlets report on health news in California, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Wisconsin, Massachusetts and Ohio.
Judge Knocks Down Beverage Industry’s Attempt To Stop Warnings On Ads For Sugary Drinks
A new law in San Francisco — set to go into effect July 25 — will require billboards and other advertisements for sugary drinks to include language warning about their link to obesity, tooth decay and diabetes. The American Beverage Association filed a complaint to stop the legislation, but a federal judge denied the request for a preliminary injunction.
Boston Medical Center To Become First In State To Offer Gender Reassignment Surgery
“The demand for care from the transgender community is significant and has not been met,’’ says Dr. Joshua Safer, an endocrinologist and medical director of Boston Medical Center’s new Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery. “It’s a community that has been neglected for years and years.’’
Stigma Surrounding Medication-Based Treatments Hurts Efforts To Curb Opioid Addiction
Although there’s a misconception that providing opioids as treatment to those struggling with addiction is simply exchanging one drug for another, doctors and scientists say that is not how it works. Researchers have found that when combined with counseling, they significantly reduce opioid use and keep people in treatment longer.
As Baby Boomers Age, Alzheimer’s Looms As A Devastating Threat
The Alzheimer’s Association projects that 10 million baby boomers will develop Alzheimer’s, while some studies have projected nearly three times that number. In other news, research suggests that loneliness plays a key part to seniors’ well-being.
Many Loved Ones Cling To Hope Over Reason In End-Of-Life Talks With Doctors, Study Finds
According to the new report, families and friends frequently hold beliefs that would prompt them to demand aggressive and often futile treatments for their loved one.
Experts: U.S. Chasing Counterproductive Cure To Mass Shootings By Focusing On Mental Health System
Most of the people who commit mass murders do not have an illness that can be treated by the mental health system, experts say, so it is “ridiculous” to believe reforming that system could fix the problem. In other public health news, The Washington Post breaks down what men need to know about the gene linked to breast cancer, and on the new focus with organ transplants on improving lives instead of just saving them.
South Carolina Bill Banning Abortions After 19 Weeks Heads To Governor
Gov. Nikki Haley is expected to sign the measure into law after it passed the South Carolina House by a 79-29 vote. The Senate approved it in March. The legislation includes no exceptions for rape or incest. Elsewhere, Kansas delays cutting off funds to Planned Parenthood for a third time and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signs two abortion-related laws.
Novartis Exec To Depart As Pharmaceutical Company Undergoes Restructuring
In other news, a new asthma drug by AstraZeneca shows positive results in late-stage studies and federal regulators are eyeing the Humira regimen.
Demand For Transparency Rises As Nonprofit Hospitals Start To Resemble Big Business
Investors want more disclosure of nonprofit hospitals’ increasing reliance on loans from private banks, the terms of which aren’t public but could trigger defaults for municipal bonds.
Republican Congressman Begins To Lay Plans For Medicaid Overhaul
Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., who chairs the Energy and Commerce Committee’s task force on Medicaid, says the current system needs to be fixed and he is looking for ideas that can draw Democratic support. Also, news outlets report that Kansas officials are considering a cut in Medicaid reimbursement rates and Wisconsin falls to the bottom of the pack on nursing home payments.
Both Parties On The Hill Raise Concerns About Medicare’s Plans To Revamp Drug Payments
Republicans have called for the administration to scrap the plan to change how doctors are paid for drugs administered in their offices, while Democrats are split on the proposal. Also, a look at another Medicare initiative that ran into congressional opposition: a plan to assign star rankings to hospitals.
U.S. Uninsured Rate Drops To Record Low
The health law’s health insurance coverage expansions are in large part credited with driving this change.
Senate Passes $1.1B In Zika Funding With Push From Southern Republicans
Meanwhile, the House, ignoring veto threats and pleas from Democrats, has put forth legislation that would provide only $622 million in resources to fight the outbreak, about one-third of what President Barack Obama requested.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Perspectives On The High Court’s Latest Turn On The Health Law’s Contraception Mandate
Opinion and editorial writers examine the Supreme Court’s decision to send this major legal question back to a lower court.
Outlets report on health news in Georgia, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Virginia, Florida, Kansas, Missouri, California and New Hampshire.
Calif. Health Coalition Reaches Into Deep Pockets To Battle Powerful Tobacco Industry
Billionaire Tom Steyer has donated $1 million so far toward the fight for a $2-per-pack tax on cigarettes. The coalition said Monday it has received enough signatures to get on the Nov. 8 ballot.
New Online Menu Of Doctors Aims To Remove ‘Blind Date’ Facet Of Telemedicine
American Well, which offers telehealth to more than 100 million people, is unveiling a marketplace where customers will be able to choose which doctor they see. In other health IT news, nurses and doctors at a Massachusetts hospital are finding new software to be tedious and disruptive.
