Morning Breakouts

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Though Garland Has Some History Of Health Care Related Cases, Abortion Stance Is Uncharted

Morning Briefing

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.

S.C. Governor ‘Can’t Imagine A Scenario’ In Which She Wouldn’t Sign Late-Term Abortion Bill

Morning Briefing

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

Morning Briefing

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

Morning Briefing

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.

States On The Frontlines To Get Anti-Overdose Drug ‘Into Everyone’s First-Aid Kit’

Morning Briefing

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.

Hospice Providers Push For Greater Access To Medicare’s Curative Services Experiment

Morning Briefing

In the demonstration program from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, patients can receive both palliative and curative care at select hospices, but advocates say the eligibility criteria should be looser. In other Medicare news, KHN reports on guidelines for end-of-life conversations that doctors can now bill.

At Hearing, Burwell Promises ‘Pro-Active Approach’ On Regulations For Drug-Dependent Babies

Morning Briefing

Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell said an investigation by Reuters triggered a review of how states were complying with the law, and that action was taken “where we found wrongdoing.” In other news from Capitol Hill, Senate Democrats denounce Republicans for holding an abortion hearing while refusing to consider a Supreme Court nominee, and, in the House, a panel is pressing ahead with a proposed budget that includes cuts to health care despite conservative protests.

Former EPA Official Says Agency Did Nothing Wrong On Flint, But ‘Could Have Done More’

Morning Briefing

Members of a congressional oversight committee blasted Susan Hedman’s testimony. “You screwed up and you ruined people’s lives,” said Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

Effort To ‘Carve Out’ Pediatric Dental Services From Florida Medicaid Program Takes Step Forward

Morning Briefing

The Florida Legislature’s bill calls for a study of dental services in the state’s managed care system. If lawmakers take no action by July of 2017, the program would “carve out” dental by 2019 and revert it to the independent, prepaid system that existed before managed care. Meanwhile, in Kansas, a House subcommittee recommends delaying a plan to combine Medicaid waiver services.

Doctors Telling Patients To Hit The Gym, Not The Pharmacy

Morning Briefing

Instead of treating chronic problems with medication, health care providers are increasingly prescribing exercise for their patients. In other public health news, pregnant women who traveled to Zika-infected areas are facing tough decisions at home, a new study finds that it might be discharged patients who are spreading “superbug” infections, and an oncologist talks about the choice she had to make after she discovered she was predisposed to breast and ovarian cancer.