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Latest KFF Health News Stories

Adults Skipping Vaccines May Miss Out On Effective New Shingles Shot

KFF Health News Original

Federal health officials recommend that adults get a number of vaccinations, including protections against shingles, the flu, pneumonia, tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. But immunization rates are generally low.

Congress Tackles The Opioid Epidemic. But How Much Will It Help?

KFF Health News Original

President Trump, speaking Monday, called for a tough-on-crime federal approach. Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, legislative strategies to combat this pressing public health problem are gaining momentum, but experts are not certain these approaches will make a difference.

Docs Worry There’s ‘Nowhere To Send’ New And Expectant Moms With Depression

KFF Health News Original

California’s legislature will soon take up a bill that would require doctors to screen pregnant women and new mothers for mental health problems. Many doctors oppose the idea, and laws elsewhere haven’t increased the number of moms treated.

Matrimonio captura en video sus últimos días de vida

KFF Health News Original

Bajo la ley de muerte digna de Oregon, Charlie y Francie Emerick, casados durante 66 años y ambos con enfermedades terminales, decidieron morir el mismo día, tomados de la mano. Una de sus hijas grabó el video.

With Some Republican Support, Virginia Edges Closer To Medicaid Expansion

KFF Health News Original

More than a dozen Republicans in the Virginia House of Delegates voted to expand Medicaid, and at least one state senator may be leaning in favor of expansion. It will be the hot topic as legislators are called back to Richmond to hash out a budget in the special session starting April 11.

Bill Of The Month: For Toenail Fungus, A $1,500 Prescription

KFF Health News Original

How a prescription wiped out one woman’s health reimbursement account, raising questions about prescription drug price tags and about how health care professionals deal (or don’t) with medical costs.

La FDA reducirá la nicotina en cigarrillos, para ayudar a fumadores a dejar el hábito

KFF Health News Original

Autoridades aseguran que este plan ayudará a que los fumadores dejen el hábito, logrará que 33 millones de personas que ahora son menores ni siquiera se acerquen al tabaco, y salvará 8 millones de vidas.

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ Rocky Road Ahead In Congress For Insurance Market Bills

KFF Health News Original

In this episode of KHN’s “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Alice Ollstein of Talking Points Memo, Joanne Kenen of Politico and Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Post discuss the problems that are making congressional efforts to pass legislation to stabilize the individual insurance market a long shot.

FDA Moves To Cut Nicotine In Cigarettes, Helping Smokers Kick Habit

KFF Health News Original

In a historic move, the Food and Drug Administration stated its intent Thursday to require tobacco companies to cut nicotine levels in their products to make them less addictive. Stripping cigarettes of addictive power could lead an estimated 5 million adults to quit smoking within a year of the plan.

Everything You Need To Know About The New Medicare Cards (But Beware Of Scams)

KFF Health News Original

Starting in April, new Medicare cards will be issued to the program’s 59 million enrollees. The new cards address serious security concerns, yet there are growing “scams” linked to the rollout.

Use Of HIV-Prevention Drug Grows, But Lags Among Non-Whites

KFF Health News Original

The pill, known as PrEP, can reduce the risk of contracting the virus that causes AIDS by 90 percent. Its use has expanded sharply in recent years — but primarily among a white demographic.