Latest KFF Health News Stories
Longer Looks: The Biggest Loser; America’s HIV Capital
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
News outlets report on health issues in Iowa, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Missouri, Illinois, California, Maryland and Kansas.
Measure To Restore Health Care For Low-Income Kids Rejected By Arizona Lawmakers
Arizona is the only state that does not participate in the federal Children’s Health Insurance Program, or CHIP. In the Alabama legislature, a bill passes to stop prosecutions of pregnant women who use medications prescribed by a doctor.
Brown Signs Tobacco Package Raising Smoking Age To 21, Curbing E-Cigarette Use
The tobacco industry has threatened to fight the new laws at the ballot box in November.
Planned Parenthood Files Federal Suit Over Kansas’ Decision To Strip Its Medicaid Funding
“All of the grounds for the termination for Medicaid are entirely bogus and unfounded,” says Laura McQuade, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri. In other news, Oklahoma’s Medicaid agency is ending its contract with two Planned Parenthood organizations, a debate over fetal pain heats up in Utah and the Alabama Legislature passes a bill regulating clinics’ proximity to schools.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services proposes dropping payment from 6 percent to 2.5 percent of a drug’s average sales while adding a flat payment of $16.80 per drug a day. The deadline for comments is May 9, and most of the 600 the agency has received have been negative.
Tainted Medical Scopes Linked To 3 California Deaths: Report
A recently discovered regulatory report finds that contaminated devices are likely to be the source of an outbreak at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena. In other public health news, KHN reports on the four things consumers should know about the latest listeria warnings while the Los Angeles Times writes about doctor visit frequency.
Prince Sought Help From Addiction Specialist The Day Before His Death
Though the cause of death for the celebrity has yet to be determined, a picture of a man in crisis is beginning to emerge from the investigation. Prince’s representatives had reached out to a prominent California doctor who specializes in treating addiction, but the help came too late.
Fatal Flaws Of OxyContin Offer New Insight Into Addiction
An investigation by the Los Angeles Times finds that the 12-hour-relief promise of OxyContin, one of the most abused pharmaceuticals in U.S. history, doesn’t hold true for some people. The problem, though, is that leads to withdrawal symptoms, and when the agony is relieved by the next dose, it creates a cycle of pain and euphoria that fosters addiction.
As Hep C Deaths Hit Record High, Experts Hopeful New Drugs Will Make ‘Major Dent’ In Mortality Rate
Scientists note that the numbers are from 2014, the first year that the new breakthrough drugs for hepatitis C patients became widely available.
Justice Watchdog Poised To Sink Teeth Into Mergers That Could Reshape Health Insurance Landscape
The Justice Department is considering the consolidations of four of the biggest U.S. health insurers – Aetna with Humana, and Anthem with Cigna Corp. — which would leave the country with only three major insurers, down from five. And its new No. 3 man, Bill Baer, is showing little hesitation to haul companies to court to stop mergers.
Fla. Governor To Tell Reluctant Lawmakers: Treat Zika Like A Hurricane
It’s something they need to prepare for in case of devastation, Gov. Rick Scott will say when he visits Capitol Hill next week to request lawmakers drop the “political grandstanding” and take action on Zika funding.
In Flint, Appreciation Is Laced With Misgivings As Obama Promises Government Is ‘Paying Attention’
It was the president’s first visit to Flint, Michigan, since the extent of the water crisis became known. Some residents voiced their exasperation for what they see as the government’s failures, even as Obama assured people he “will not rest” until the city has safe drinking water.
Clinton Faces Health Law Dissent From Democrats Stirred Up By Sanders’ Promise For More
The Democratic front-runner has positioned herself as a champion of the health law, but Democrats — who some say have been roused by Sen. Bernie Sanders’ call for Medicare for all — want bigger changes.
Humana May Be Next Insurer To Exit Some Obamacare Exchanges
The insurance provider is weighing changes to its 2017 business that could include leaving some Affordable Care Act marketplaces and raising premiums. Humana reports that profits fell 46 percent, in part due to costs related to its merger with Aetna.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: ‘Hazy’ Reasons For Medical Firms’ Merger; A Patient Safety ‘Crossroads’
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Perspectives On Drug Prices: HHS’ Admirable Attempt At Curbing High Costs
A selection of opinions on drug costs from around the country.
‘I Wish Drugs Would Fall Out Of The Sky Free. Don’t We All.’
Is a blues musician the reason drug prices are so high? News outlets examine the man behind the hated pricing model, and other news from the pharmaceutical drug industry.
Drug Studies Reveal Contradictory Pricing Models
Several recent studies examine the market for prescription drugs and why prices seem to keep moving up.
