Latest KFF Health News Stories
Promising Results For Dengue Vaccine Bode Well For Zika Efforts
Researchers have been uncharacteristically optimistic about the vaccine, which protected all 21 volunteers who were injected with it and then infected with the virus. Because the Dengue and Zika viruses are in the same family, scientists could build off the work of the successful vaccine.
WHO: One In Four Deaths Caused By Unhealthy Environment
The report is part of an effort by world leaders over the past year to inform the public of the close link between issues like climate change to something an individual can relate to — their own health. A separate study links air pollution to an increased risk of diabetes.
In Quest To Treat Patients’ Pain, Doctors Struggle In Role Of Enforcer
As the warriors on the front line of one of the worst drug epidemics in U.S. history, physicians are being called upon to balance their desire to care for their patients with the desire to stem the rising crisis.
The Problem With Novartis’ Heart-Failure Drug? Doctors Aren’t Prescribing It
The drug was hailed as enormously successful in testing, with cardiologists and researchers calling it a home run. So why aren’t doctors using it?
Jury Rules In Favor Of Amgen In Cholesterol Drug Patent Dispute
Some analysts and rivals say Amgen’s patents on antibodies that target a protein, called PCSK9, are too broad and thus invalid. In other news, a cost-effectiveness agency says there’s not enough evidence to deem Amgen’s cancer drug worthy of using on Britain’s state health service.
Doctors Who Receive Payments From Industry Prescribe More Brand-Name Drugs, Analysis Finds
“This feeds into the ongoing conversation about the propriety of these sorts of relationships. Hopefully we’re getting past the point where people will say, ‘Oh, there’s no evidence that these relationships change physicians’ prescribing practices,'” says Dr. Aaron Kesselheim, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School who provided guidance on early versions of ProPublica’s analysis.
Some Surviving Co-Ops Fail To Hit Important Enrollment Benchmark
Lagging enrollment is a sign that at least four of the remaining eleven health insurance cooperatives are still on shaky financial footing despite federal loans. In other health law news, Massachusetts reminds those with subsidized plans that they must file taxes. And in Florida, families with insurance still face crippling medical debt.
Budget Committee Passes Deficit Plan That Relies On Deep Health Care Cuts
Among other things, the blueprint calls for raising the Medicare eligibility age to 67 and slashing Medicaid. In other Capitol Hill news, a mental health bill heads to the Senate floor, a Senate committee approves a bill to help opioid-addicted newborns, House lawmakers hold a hearing on Medicare’s future and the president’s mandatory spending plan for his cancer “moonshot” comes up at a hearing on NIH’s budget.
Michigan Governor To Blame Water Crisis On Systemic Failures At State Agency
Gov. Rick Snyder is set to appear in front of Congress at a hearing on Thursday, and The Associated Press obtained both his and EPA chief Gina McCarthy’s prepared testimony. “Not a day or night goes by that this tragedy doesn’t weigh on my mind — the questions I should have asked, the answers I should have demanded,” Snyder will say, while pointing a finger at the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.
Bill Targeting GMO Labeling Requirements Dies On Senate Floor
Lawmakers had been scrambling to find a way to prevent Vermont’s mandatory labeling legislation slated to go into effect July 1. The Senate measure failed to get the 60 supporters it needed to move ahead during a procedural vote.
Though Garland Has Some History Of Health Care Related Cases, Abortion Stance Is Uncharted
However, after meeting with President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court nominee, Merrick Garland, Planned Parenthood Cecile Richards says he seems “responsible and qualified” and urged the Senate to act on his nomination.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A selection of opinions from around the country.
News outlets report on health issues in North Carolina, Kansas, Colorado and Michigan.
Rural Hospitals Face Daunting Financial Challenges
News outlets also report on hospital developments in Illinois and Connecticut.
S.C. Governor ‘Can’t Imagine A Scenario’ In Which She Wouldn’t Sign Late-Term Abortion Bill
The measure would ban abortions past 19 weeks. The House is expected to vote Wednesday on the legislation the Senate passed last week. Elsewhere, in California, abortion rights groups are asking the city of Sacramento to uphold a law requiring pregnancy centers to put up signs informing patients of their family planning and abortion services options.
NFL Stands By Public Acknowledgment Of Link Between Football, Brain Disorders
The league had previously said it would leave it up to scientists and researchers to determine, but now backs comments made by its senior vice president for health and safety policy Jeff Miller admitting to the connection at a congressional roundtable discussion.
Want To Quit Smoking? Go Cold Turkey
A study finds that gradually reducing the amount participants smoked gave them cravings and withdrawal symptoms before they even reached the quit day. Cutting off smoking completely showed greater results in success.
Study: Recent Measles, Whooping Cough Outbreaks Linked To Vaccine Refusers
The unvaccinated children often acted as “patient zero,” creating pockets of disease susceptibility, the new study finds.
States On The Frontlines To Get Anti-Overdose Drug ‘Into Everyone’s First-Aid Kit’
Laws have been passed across the country making naloxone more readily available to everyone from cops to the local PTA. Meanwhile, in Seattle, bike cops will start carrying the drug to help combat overdoses in the city.
