Latest KFF Health News Stories
Private Donations Also Needed To Achieve Cancer ‘Moonshot,’ Biden Says During Speech
Philanthrophic investments, like the ones that will help build John Hopkins’ new cancer center, and government funds are needed, according to the Vice President Joe Biden. In other public health news, online fantasy sports are driving an increase in gambling addicts. And Marketplace and USA Today report on the latest Zika virus developments.
Cost Of Alzheimer’s Weighs Heavily On Caregivers
A survey released by the Alzheimer’s Association found that many families struggle with paying for care for a relative with dementia to the point of having to forgo food and basic necessities. “This was a big shocker for us,” said Keith Fargo, Alzheimer’s Association director of scientific programs and outreach.
‘Nobody Wants To Touch A Pregnant Woman With An Addiction Issue’
Amanda Hensley’s struggle to get clean while pregnant is just one of thousands of stories of women of child-bearing age grappling with the growing epidemic of substance abuse that is sweeping the country. Researchers estimate that every 25 minutes a baby was born dependent on opioids in 2012, the most recent year for which data are available.
‘Bad Paper Discharges’ Lead To Spike In Veteran Health Benefit Refusals
Former military members are being denied benefits at the highest rate since the system was created, according to a new report.
Pharmaceutical Price Wars: $129K-A-Year Cancer Drug Next In The Cross Hairs
Lawmakers are urging federal agencies to step in to cut prices of Xtandi, a prostate cancer drug that’s price is four times greater in the United States than in other developed countries. The move is the latest in efforts to get control of spiking costs.
One Of America’s Most Powerful Doctors Still Dons Medical Gloves On Weekends
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ chief medical officer Dr. Patrick H. Conway still treats patients and works with colleagues who have no idea that he has had a say in almost every significant or controversial health care policy change contemplated by the Obama administration.
Supreme Court Asks For More Information, Compromise In Contraception Case
In a rare move, the justices — seemingly divided 4-4 — ordered both sides to submit briefs on how women working for religious employers might be able to get insurance coverage for contraception without violating the rights of their bosses. Both sides found hope in the order.
Nebraska Senate Shelves Medicaid Expansion For Fourth Year Straight
The measure would have set up a three-year pilot project under a conservative proposal, but opponents, including the governor, raised concerns about long-term costs.
Ark. Governor Insists That Debate On Extending Medicaid Expansion Include Managed Care
Gov. Asa Hutchinson is calling for a special legislative session next week to modify the Medicaid expansion plan set up by his predecessor. Also, the New Hampshire Senate is considering a bill to extend its program.
Americans Newly Insured Under Health Law Sicker and More Expensive, Report Finds
However, the Department of Health and Human Services says that was to be expected because the Affordable Care Act provided coverage to patients who had been previously denied health care due to pre-existing conditions.
Obama: Opioid Epidemic A Public Health Problem, Not A Criminal Issue
The president spoke about the national crisis at a summit in Atlanta, announcing an array of new measures such as expanding drug treatment centers and increasing the use of drugs, like naloxone. However, he said that “this is still an area that’s grossly under-resourced.”
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A selection of opinions from around the country.
Johns Hopkins To Get $125M For Immunotherapy Institute
Michael Bloomberg, who will be donating $50 million, said the immunotherapy treatment, which uses a patient’s own immune system to to attack cancer, has enormous potential. “This really may have the possibility for a unique Eureka moment,” he said. In other news, STAT follows one advocate’s battle against federal testicular cancer guidelines, and The Washington Post examines the lifestyle changes of a cancer survivor.
On The Front Line Of Opioid Crisis, One Emergency Department Experiments With Alternative Treatment
The New Jersey hospital is hoping its initiative to try other treatments before prescribing opioids will help in the epidemic that’s sweeping the country. In the first two months, 75 percent of the 300 patients that have gone through the program did not need opioids. In other news, nurses and hospitals are changing their approach when it comes to taking drug-dependent babies away from their mothers.
McCain Unveils Plan To Improve Veteran Health Care
The Arizona senator says the VA Choice Card — which allows some patients to obtain private care at the department’s expense — must be made universal and permanent.
Aggressive Battle To Defund Planned Parenthood Being Fought On State Level
Instead of trying to push defunding through on a national level, activists have taken their strategy to the states, and laws aimed at blocking money to the nation’s largest abortion provider and creating more restrictions on clinics are piling up across the country.
FBI Investigating Cyber Virus That Paralyzed Major Hospital Chain Medstar
The breach comes just weeks after similar cyberattacks on at least three other medical institutions in California and Kentucky, and The Washington Post looks at the reasons why hackers target health care providers.
As Medicare Stifles PSA Testing Penalties, It Signals Interest In Reviving The Issue Later
The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services says in its statement that it will continue to solicit input “to determine whether a restructured, appropriate-use PSA measure should be developed.” Also, a look at new efforts by the agency to make sure beneficiaries in Medicare Advantage plans can keep their doctors.
Blood Test Could Clear Uncertainty That Envelops Concussion Diagnosis
Researchers have discovered that the levels of a certain biomarker changed with a traumatic head injury, which has always been tricky to diagnose because of, among other things, delayed symptoms.
