Latest KFF Health News Stories
Waiting Periods For Abortions Do Little To Deter Women, Study Finds
Researchers found that, though the law created financial and emotional hardships for women, those seeking the abortions had made up their mind and were not swayed during the waiting period. In other news, Alaska passes a bill that focuses on the viability of a fetus, but Planned Parenthood says the terminology in the legislation is confusing.
Celebrities Advocating For Questionable Medicine Plagues Health Professionals
As illustrated by a recent vaccination documentary given exposure by Robert De Niro, doctors see a danger when stars promote medical positions not supported by science. In other public health news, NPR reports on potential health benefits for women taking estrogen and a study on the impact of antibiotics on Lyme disease.
FDA To Permit Use Of Experimental Test To Screen Blood Donations For Zika
Experts are applauding the Food and Drug Administration’s speed in clearing the test, noting that similar action took almost a year in the case of the West Nile virus.
Nation’s First Transplant Between HIV-Positive Donor, Recipients Successful, Hopkins Announces
Johns Hopkins University says that the patients are recovering after receiving a kidney and a liver, respectively, from a deceased donor who was HIV-positive. HIV-positive patients already are eligible to receive transplants from HIV-negative donors, just like anyone else, but the waiting list is long and thousands die waiting for an organ.
Some States Struggle, Some Shine In Efforts To Collect Data On Drug-Dependent Babies
As the opioid epidemic worsens, states are trying to figure out how to best collect information on the youngest patients affected by the crisis. In other news, a doctor preaches alternative treatments to chronic pain.
Experts Say Health Care Companies Are Tantalizing Targets For Cyberattackers
A recent cyberattack against hospital chain MedStar was just the latest in a series of strikes against health care companies. Experts warn that because the information the organizations have is more valuable on the black market than even credit card numbers, and their security measures tend to lag behind other sectors, they are particularly vulnerable.
Study: Drugmakers Paying Fewer Fines For Breaking Federal Health Laws
In its analysis, Public Citizen found that financial penalties paid by pharmaceutical manufacturers have declined in recent years. The watchdog organization is calling for an increase in enforcement efforts. In other pharmaceutical news, the Federal Trade Commission is calling for more information on a merger pending between Pfizer and Allergan. News outlets also report the latest on Valeant’s challenges.
N.H. Senate Could Vote Today On Extending Medicaid Expansion
About 48,000 state residents are covered under the expansion, but it is set to expire at the end of the year. Also, as North Carolina looks at revamping its traditional Medicaid program, some advocates are calling for the state to take up the expansion offered under the federal health law.
Millions Of Consumers Get New Health-Law Tax Form
For most people, the new 1095-C is just something that they need to file away with their records. Also in the news is a study of the uninsured and a look at new payment models championed by the federal health law for joint replacement.
House Panel Investigating Fetal Tissue Research Issues Subpoenas
The congressional committee subpoenaed eight medical organizations as part of a probe instigated by videos that purported to capture Planned Parenthood officials trying to profit illegally from the sale of such tissue. Since then, the videographers have been indicted and 20 states have cleared Planned Parenthood or decided not to investigate, but Republican House members have continued with their efforts.
CMS Rule Says States, Plans Must Adhere To Mental Health Parity In Medicaid
The final rule applies the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 to managed-care plans that contract to run Medicaid programs.
Abortion Pill Label Revised By FDA, Negating Anti-Abortion Efforts In Several States
The Food and Drug Administration updated the guidelines for the medication to relax the number of days into pregnancy that women can be given the pill. The move — while not having a large impact on most states — will affect a few that passed legislation dictating doctors adhere to the FDA label.
Kasich: GOP’s ‘Stupid Promise’ To Get Rid Of Health Law In 2014 ‘A Big Joke’
The Republican presidential candidate said the conservatives angered the base because they couldn’t fulfill their vow to repeal the Affordable Care Act, a promise they should not have made in the first place because Barack Obama was president.
Trump: If Abortions Were Banned, Women Seeking Procedure Should Be ‘Punished’
After his comments provoked an outcry from both sides, the Republican front-runner quickly walked back his statement to say the doctor performing the procedure should be penalized instead.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Reaching For A Cancer Cure; Another Wake-Up Call For Mental Health Reform
A selection of opinions from around the country.
News outlets report on health issues in California, Massachusetts, Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, Tennessee, Washington and Illinois.
New York Governor’s Medicaid Plan A Sticking Point In Budget Talks
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has pledged to find $250 million in Medicaid savings before completing a budget agreement. Media outlets also cover Medicaid news out of Minnesota and Oklahoma.
Louisiana’s Budget Cuts Threaten Some Safety Net Hospitals
In addition, a recent spate of cyberattacks are leading to calls for hospitals to do more to prevent these assaults.
Egregious Errors And Ethics Violations By California Doctors Detailed By Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports’ Safe Patient Project investigates a database maintained by the Department of Health and Human Services that is only accessible to some groups like hospitals and law enforcement.
