Must-Reads Of The Week From Brianna Labuskes
By Brianna Labuskes
January 4, 2019
KFF Health News Original
Newsletter editor Brianna Labuskes wades through hundreds of health articles from the week so you don’t have to.
Former Outcome Health Executives Face Charges Of Allegedly Falsifying Data In $1B Fraud Scheme
November 26, 2019
Morning Briefing
The case was sparked by reports that the company—which displays pharmaceutical ads in doctors’ offices—had misled some customers with inflated data and fake reports.
In Potential Opioids Lawsuits Settlement, Purdue Pharma Offers $10B-$12B And For Sackler Family To Cede Control Of Company
August 28, 2019
Morning Briefing
According to reports on settlement talks, the bulk of the funds would come from restructuring Purdue Pharma under a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing that would transform it from a private company into a “public beneficiary trust.” That would allow the profits from all drug sales, including the opioid painkiller OxyContin, to go to the plaintiffs of a nationwide consolidated lawsuit over the alleged role drugmakers played in the epidemic. The company would also give its addiction treatment drugs to the public without cost.
Where Are There The Most Coronavirus Cases Outside China? On A Quarantined Cruise Ship Docked Off Japan
February 11, 2020
Morning Briefing
The number of people with coronavirus on a cruise ship in the port of Yokohama nearly doubled to 135 on Monday. Some experts said that keeping all of the passengers and crew members on board could exacerbate the rate of infection. “Similar to the situation in Wuhan, but at a smaller scale, by quarantining the ship, the crew members are being forced to stay together, which increases the likelihood of transmission,” said John B. Lynch, of the University of Washington. “We have to remember that quarantines protect those outside the quarantine, not those within.”
Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ ‘Medicare-For-All’ For Dummies
February 14, 2019
KFF Health News Original
The “Medicare–for-all” debate is already in full swing, but what does that phrase even mean? Joanne Kenen of Politico, Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Post and Rebecca Adams of CQ Roll Call join KHN’s Julie Rovner for a beginner’s guide to the next big health policy debate. For “extra credit,” the panelists provide their favorite health policy stories of the week, and as a special Valentine’s Day bonus, their favorite #HealthPolicyValentines.
Costly Confusion: Medicare’s Wellness Visit Isn’t The Same As An Annual Physical
By Michelle Andrews
March 20, 2019
KFF Health News Original
Medicare doesn’t pay for an annual physical, but it does cover an annual wellness visit focused on preventing disease and disability by coming up with a “personalized prevention plan” for future medical issues. It is important to use the correct term when scheduling a doctor’s visit.
Very Odd Flu Season: It’s Highly Active Among Young Children, Getting Off To Earliest Start In Years
December 13, 2019
Morning Briefing
Another difference is the type of influenza being seen in parts of the south: Type B is preceding Type A. So far, the northeast is being spared, but it’s coming, health specialists warn. Public health news is on aims to get consistent results in psychology studies, ways to reduce the risk of dying, treatment of volcano burn victims, and a potential HIV vaccine, as well.
Look-Up: Infection Risk Factors At Nursing Homes Near You
September 5, 2018
KFF Health News Original
Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening illness caused by the body’s response to an infection. Explore infection risk factors at nursing homes in your state. This tool tracks infection-related deficiencies and staffing levels for nursing homes that take Medicare and/or Medicaid.
Watchdogs Cite Lax Medical And Mental Health Treatment Of ICE Detainees
By Sarah Varney
April 15, 2019
KFF Health News Original
The Adelanto ICE Processing Center houses nearly 2,000 people in California. Federal, state and watchdog reviews say the Florida-based firm that runs the facility fails to provide adequate health care.
Unwitting Patients, Copycat Comments Play Hidden Role In Federal Rule-Making
By Sarah Jane Tribble
September 11, 2018
KFF Health News Original
As HHS decided to cut $1.6 billion in drug payments to hospitals, it weighed thousands of comments generated by a pharmaceutical-funded advocacy group.
Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ Drug Prices Are Rising Again. Is Someone Going To Do Something About It?
January 17, 2019
KFF Health News Original
As drugmakers hike prices, interest to rein them in grows on Capitol Hill. Next week marks the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court’s abortion decision, and both the House, whose leaders back abortion rights, and the Senate, controlled by abortion foes, are holding statement votes. And the government shutdown is still affecting health programs. Joanne Kenen of Politico, Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times and Alice Ollstein of Politico join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues.
New York Life Eyeing Cigna’s Business That Sells Non-Medical Insurance Through Employers In Possible $6B Deal
December 11, 2019
Morning Briefing
Cigna has been working to trim debt after last year’s acquisition of pharmacy-benefits manager Express Scripts Holding Co. for $54 billion. In other news from the health industry: a corporation misses the deadline to close the deal on four Verity Health hospitals and a look at the small Medicare reduction that could make a big difference in premiums.
Facebook Live: The Cancer Divide
October 5, 2018
KFF Health News Original
Californians and Americans are living longer with cancer — but some are living longer than others. California Healthline’s Facebook Live addresses disparities in cancer diagnosis, treatment and care — and what can be done about them.
Finalizan regla que busca expulsar a Planned Parenthood de programa de planificación familiar
By Julie Rovner
February 22, 2019
KFF Health News Original
Este programa proporciona anticonceptivos, pruebas y tratamiento para ETS a 4 millones de pacientes cada año. Planned Parenthood sirve a alrededor del 40% de ese número.
Patients Turn To GoFundMe When Money And Hope Run Out
By Mark Zdechlik, Minnesota Public Radio
January 16, 2019
KFF Health News Original
Medical fundraisers account for 1 in 3 of the website’s campaigns and bring in more money than any other GoFundMe category. Americans’ confidence they can afford health care is slipping, some say.
Progressive Democrat Seeks Changes To Pelosi’s Plan To Curb Drug Costs
October 1, 2019
Morning Briefing
Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) circulated a letter urging “necessary improvements.” In addition, the Pelosi plan could cause problems for the 340B program, a federal drug discount program designed to aid hospitals that serve poor people.
For Wildfire Safety, Only Particular Masks Guard Against Toxic Particulate Matter
By Samantha Young Ana B. Ibarra
November 15, 2018
KFF Health News Original
As wildfires blaze in Northern and Southern California, millions of people outside of the burn zones are getting exposed to dangerous wildfire smoke. For those donning face masks for protection, only a specific mask will work.
Mala calidad del aire y datos inadecuados son una combinación poco saludable
By Ana B. Ibarra
September 21, 2018
KFF Health News Original
Los residentes del Valle respiran el aire más sucio de la nación, y las familias saben que deben tener máscaras en sus autos e inhaladores al alcance de la mano.
Supreme Court Agrees To Hear Potentially Monumental Case Over Extent To Which States Can Regulate PBMs
January 13, 2020
Morning Briefing
Pharmacy benefits managers, the controversial middlemen in the drug pipeline, are a favorite target to blame for higher prescription drug costs. A Supreme Court decision on how much oversight states can place on PMBs could send shock waves through the debate over health care costs. In other pharmaceutical news: genetic testing and proprietary data, lax oversight of the 340B drug program, a startup with the possible answer to high drug costs, and more.
Bad Air And Inadequate Data Prove An Unhealthy Mix
By Ana B. Ibarra
September 21, 2018
KFF Health News Original
San Joaquin Valley residents breathe some of the dirtiest air in the country, but it can be a challenge for them to find accurate and timely information on the air quality in their neighborhoods. This summer, nonprofit organizations began distributing 20 small air monitors to hard-hit families, and next year, the state is expected to install monitoring systems in some communities.
