Latest KFF Health News Stories
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.
Hospice Providers Push For Greater Access To Medicare’s Curative Services Experiment
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
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.
Concurrent Surgeries To Come Under Senate Scrutiny
Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, is launching a “fact-finding exercise” investigating the practice of a surgeon performing on more than one patient.
Former EPA Official Says Agency Did Nothing Wrong On Flint, But ‘Could Have Done More’
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.
CDC Releases Guidelines To Rein In Opioid Prescriptions
The recommendations are nonbinding, and initial versions have faced push back from critics who worry patients will not get the pain relief they need.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Clinton’s Obamacare Riddle; The Affordable Care Act? Maybe Not
A selection of opinions from around the country.
News outlets report on health issues in Virginia, Florida, California, Kansas, Pennsylvania and Texas.
Effort To ‘Carve Out’ Pediatric Dental Services From Florida Medicaid Program Takes Step Forward
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
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.
Experts Worry Eating Disorder Centers Are Sacrificing Treatment For Profit
In an ever-expanding industry, some worry that the residential programs are taking advantage of vulnerable patients.
