Trump’s Claim About Abortions Taking Place Days Before Birth ‘Absurd,’ Expert Says
October 21, 2016
Morning Briefing
If, very late in pregnancy, a fetus was found to be nonviable the woman might continue the pregnancy and deliver a stillborn baby, or she might decide not to continue the pregnancy, says Dr. Aaron B. Caughey. “Would you call that an abortion? I think most of us wouldn’t use that language.”
Medicare Advocates Press Congress To Help Beneficiaries Facing Steep Premium Hike
September 29, 2016
Morning Briefing
The Medicare Trustees have estimated that the deductible for Medicare Part B would grow from $166 to $204 next year for all enrollees and the premiums would grow 22 percent next year for about 30 percent of beneficiaries.
Study Of Birth Defects, Folic Acid In Foods Finds More Questions Than Answers
By Barbara Feder Ostrov
May 20, 2016
KFF Health News Original
But the authors caution against concluding that folic acid is ineffective.
Map: In Poor Baltimore Neighborhoods, Life Expectancy Similar to Developing Countries
February 16, 2016
KFF Health News Original
In Sandtown, where Freddie Gray lived and the median household income is less than a quarter of Roland Park’s, the life expectancy is 70 years. That matches the average life expectancy in North Korea, an impoverished dictatorship where millions suffer from chronic undernourishment, according to the United Nations.
Politics Makes Abortion Training In Texas Difficult
By Carrie Feibel, Houston Public Media
June 22, 2016
KFF Health News Original
The hostile climate surrounding abortion in Texas has made it hard for doctors-in-training to learn to do abortions. Professors feel intimidated, and there are fewer clinics where residents can train.
‘Critical Illness’ Insurance Grows As Out-Of-Pocket Health Costs Jump
By Mark Zdechlik, Minnesota Public Radio
February 2, 2016
KFF Health News Original
A relatively obscure category of health insurance — “critical illness” insurance — is catching on because, increasingly, conventional health plans have consumers paying a lot of out-of-pocket costs. Mark Zdechlik of Minnesota Public Radio explains the pros and cons of critical care insurance in this story that aired on NPR’s Morning Edition.
Extremely Early Intervention: Scientists Try To Prevent Mental Illness Prenatally
October 24, 2016
Morning Briefing
Researchers gave the B vitamin choline to pregnant women, and found it successful in reducing pre-markers for schizophrenia after the child was born. In other news on children’s health, a mother hunts down the mysterious cause of her son’s paralysis, doctors turn away unvaccinated patients, the American Academy of Pediatrics updates its recommendations on SIDS and a doctor’s drug warning.
Zuckerberg, Chan Invest $3B In Hopes Of Eradicating All Diseases By End Of Century
September 22, 2016
Morning Briefing
“The funding seems to fill a gap,” said Dr. Jonathan Lim. “They’re tackling basic science and prevention, which tend to be relatively less well-funded areas, compared to translational and clinical efforts.”
Pregnant Women In Houston And Their Doctors Weigh Risks Of Zika
By Carrie Feibel, Houston Public Media
April 28, 2016
KFF Health News Original
The U.S. Gulf Coast has the right weather conditions and mosquitoes for the Zika virus, which has been linked to birth defects. But the level of risk is unknown in this country so doctors are advising caution to their patients who are pregnant or trying to have a baby.
Prevention Experts, Eye Doctors Disagree On Vision Tests For Seniors
By Michelle Andrews
March 11, 2016
KFF Health News Original
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says there is not enough evidence to know whether vision screening given by primary care doctors benefits patients.
Judge Hands Off Anthem-Cigna Case In Order To Speed Process
August 8, 2016
Morning Briefing
Meanwhile, Cigna’s CEO says he still supports the mega-merger but also talks about his Plan B — stock buybacks or acquisitions — if the deal comes undone,
Legal Medical Abortions Are Up In Texas, But So Are DIY Pills From Mexico
By John Burnett, NPR News
June 10, 2016
KFF Health News Original
Women seeking an abortion in restrictive Texas now often pick the medical version, thanks to FDA rules making it easier. Others seek cheaper pills in Mexico, and aren’t getting guidance from a doctor.
Bill To Stop Medicare From Changing Some Drug Payments Could Cost $1.1B, CBO Says
October 5, 2016
Morning Briefing
Doctors groups and some members of Congress oppose the proposal by federal officials to cut reimbursement rates for drugs administered in doctors’ offices. Also, an inspector general’s report finds that Medicare spent $1.5 billion on defective heart devices and beneficiaries were also on the hook for expenses related to the devices.
Health Effects Of Egg Donation Not Well Studied
By Sandra G. Boodman
June 21, 2016
KFF Health News Original
Fertility specialists say that egg donation is safe and involves the same process as in vitro fertilization, but there are sporadic reports of cancers, some fatal, and subsequent fertility problems among egg donors. Because of a lack of research, it isn’t known whether these problems are linked to the process or are the result of chance.
Back From The Brink, A Rural Texas Hospital Shines
By Sarah Varney
March 11, 2016
KFF Health News Original
One family’s tragedy inspired a radical change at a struggling rural hospital in Texas.
Majority Of Young Men Don’t Know About Emergency Contraception, Study Finds
By Michelle Andrews
February 26, 2016
KFF Health News Original
The survey of 93 men, most of whom were sexually active, finds that 42 percent had heard of emergency contraception, or the morning-after pill.
Genetic Counselors Struggle To Keep Up With Huge New Demand
By Todd Bookman, WHYY
April 18, 2016
KFF Health News Original
After Angelina Jolie disclosed her genetic predisposition for breast cancer, demand for genetic tests went up. Counselors help interpret those tests, and demand for their services has increased, too.
Needle Exchanges Can Now Get Federal Funding
By Anna Gorman
Photos by Heidi de Marco
February 17, 2016
KFF Health News Original
Proponents hail the change in policy but say it doesn’t go far enough because federal dollars cannot be used to buy syringes.
With Special Tax Suspended, Medical Device Firms Reap Big Savings
By Mark Zdechlik, Minnesota Public Radio
February 25, 2016
KFF Health News Original
The medical device industry is enjoying a two-year moratorium on a tax that was created to support the Affordable Care Act. Are firms using their savings to create more jobs, as many claim?
Study Finds No Harm In Allowing Surgeons-In-Training To Work Longer Shifts
By Jordan Rau
February 2, 2016
KFF Health News Original
Researchers found little difference in patient outcomes or satisfaction after placing restraints on medical residents’ working conditions in the past decade. Officials have previously sought to prevent inexperienced doctors from making mistakes caused by fatigue.
