Latest KFF Health News Stories
Puerto Rico’s Landscape, Climate and Economy Create Perfect Storm For Zika Outbreak
One-quarter of the population is expected to be infected with the virus within a year, and up to 80 percent could be eventually affected overall. In other Zika news, if the virus starts spreading in the U.S. it could set off a political debate just in time for the presidential election, the CDC adds Cuba to its travel warning list, Connecticut confirms its first case, and Democrats are calling for Republicans to pass Zika funding.
Johnson & Johnson Seeks To Settle Cases Linking Uterine Cancer To Surgical Device
The cases involve a laparoscopic power morcellator made by J&J that doctors now fear helped spread undetected cancers. Also, the Food and Drug Administration is looking at the possible malfunctioning of devices that measure blood clotting and are commonly used in homes and doctors’ offices.
Advocates Warn Return Of House Calls Puts Strain On Limited Physician Field
As new apps allow patients to bring a health care provider to their house with a click of a button, there are those who think the model won’t scale with the current shortfall of doctors. But in other news, home visits pay off for new mothers and kids with asthma.
Hospitals, Insurance Companies Acquire Urgent Care Clinics As Their Popularity Grows
More Americans are turning to urgent care clinics, and patients are finding the dual benefit of the ones that are attached to a hospital: convenience but with a safety net if their problem proves more serious than they thought.
Insurance To Cover Critical Illnesses Becoming More Popular, But May Prove Costly
As consumers find their general health plans have higher deductibles, they are increasingly turning to policies that cover specific — and expensive — illnesses, such as cancer. But consumer advocates question the cost. Also, a look at cancer treatment expenses and surprise bills that some people receive after getting out-of-network care.
As Public Outcry Swells, Chances Of Lowering Drug Prices Still Remain Close To Nil
Congress would need to act to make a dent in the astronomical cost of drugs, but pressure from the pharmaceutical industry and political gridlock have stymied action. Meanwhile, a new study finds that nearly half of all Americans 75 and older took five or more prescription drugs in 2011, a trend which has significant financial ramifications.
Contraception Case Faces Possible 4-4 Split After Scalia’s Death
If at least five Supreme Court justices fail to agree on a decision on the contraception mandate, it would leave lower court’s decision intact, creating different rules for different parts of the country.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: More Health Law Vulnerabilities; Some Drugs Have High Costs For A Reason
A selection of opinions from around the country.
News outlets report on health issues in North Carolina, Mississippi, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Missouri, Texas and Maryland.
Needle Exchange Provision Stripped Out Of Georgia’s HIV Bill
Media outlets report on other news from state legislatures in California, Kentucky and Kansas.
At Ohio Hospital, Health Leads Program Helps Patients Meet Basic Needs
The program is new to Cleveland’s University Hospital but already operational in five other states. Meanwhile, in other hospital news, ProPublica examines the link between industry funding and teaching hospitals, and operating rooms were shut down in an Arkansas hospital after a deadly disease was detected.
Idaho Lawmakers Say They Have Plan To Close Medicaid Gap
About 78,000 Idahoans are affected by it. In other news, a bill banning Medicaid payments for elective births moves through the Kansas Senate.
Fatal Blood Infection Outbreak Spreads To Second State
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services confirmed that an older patient has died after contracting the infection, which is linked to 17 deaths out of 50 cases in Wisconsin.
Standing Desks More Fashionable Than Healthy, Analysis Finds
In an analysis of 20 studies, researchers say there is not enough evidence to justify the health benefits that some say come from standing desks. In other public health news, The Associated Press lays out what you need to know if you’re thinking about bariatric surgery, and a commission finds that child abuse deaths remain stubbornly high in the United States.
Abortion Rate In Texas Drops Dramatically After New Restrictions Force Clinics To Close
Doctors say the decrease indicates that the law is creating a burden on women that they are unable to overcome. Meanwhile, an abortion rights group is asking the Oklahoma Supreme Court to overturn a similar law in that state, and Planned Parenthood goes on offensive for the first time all year in Florida.
As Pharmaceutical CEOs Bow Out, One Leaves Mixed Legacy And The Other Stability
Recent years have marred Glaxo CEO Andrew Witty’s tenure. The company’s stock fell on the news of his departure, and the board is giving itself a year to replace him, which could stir unrest among its investors. Rio’s stock jumped and its board has already appointed a new successor to CEO Sam Walsh.
With Eye On Improving Costs, Walgreens Forms Partnership With UnitedHealth
Under the deal, the insurer will charge its patients less if they fill their prescriptions at Walgreens stores.
Medicare Payment Lobbying War Heats Up As More Voices Join The Fight
The campaigns center around a proposed 1.35 percent boost to Medicare Advantage. Kaiser Health News looks at how the Obama administration is trying to borrow ideas from the private sector with its Medicare plan, Medicare beneficiaries could face higher out-of-pocket drug costs as a result of the trend toward coinsurance rather than co-payments, and Rep. Pat Tiberi, R-Ohio, is urging his fellow lawmakers to consider changes to the Medicare Advantage program.
Health Care Law’s Contraception Mandate Gets Day In High Court Next Week
After Justice Antonin Scalia’s death, there’s a likelihood the court will rule 5-3 against the challenge to the health law. Justice Anthony Kennedy, the likely swing vote, has appeared to voice approval of the workaround the government has already created to address conscientious objections to contraception.
