Health Industry

Latest KFF Health News Stories

‘Pharma Bro’ Shkreli Is In Prison, But Daraprim’s Price Is Still High

KFF Health News Original

The saga of Martin Shkreli and Turing Pharmaceuticals focused a lot of attention on prescription drug prices, but no reversal of the exponential price increases for the lifesaving drug Daraprim resulted. The story offers an object lesson into the interworkings of the pharmaceutical market.

Weak Oversight Blamed For Poor Care At California Nursing Homes Going Unchecked

KFF Health News Original

The scathing report cites a significant increase in cases of poor care — especially ones with the potential to cause serious injuries or death. A state lawmaker called the findings “very, very disturbing.”

Telemedicine Opening Doors To Specialty Care For Inmates

KFF Health News Original

Getting prisoners to a medical facility can be difficult, so corrections officials are increasingly setting up telemedicine programs for specialized needs, such as psychiatric, cancer and cardiac care.

Male OB-GYNs Are Growing Rare. Is That A Problem?

KFF Health News Original

Nationally, women outnumber men as specialists in obstetrics and gynecology — yet women remain underrepresented in leadership roles. Many OB-GYN patients say they prefer female doctors, as residency programs strive for diversity in race, ethnicity and even gender.

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ What’s Next For The VA?

KFF Health News Original

In this episode of KHN’s “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Sarah Kliff of Vox.com, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News and Alice Ollstein of Talking Points Memo discuss the collapse of the nomination of White House physician Ronny Jackson to head the Department of Veterans Affairs. They also discuss new bipartisan congressional efforts to address the opioid epidemic. Plus, for extra credit, the panelists offer their favorite health policy stories of the week.

Peak Health Plan Premiums Give Rise To Activism — And Unconventional Solutions

KFF Health News Original

For people who buy their health coverage rather than get it from the government or through work, Charlottesville, Va., has claimed the title of having the country’s highest health insurance costs, and its residents are fighting back.

Congress Urged To Cut Medicare Payments To Many Stand-Alone ERs

KFF Health News Original

As free-standing emergency departments multiply, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission recommends a 30 percent reduction in some federal reimbursements for those within 6 miles of a hospital.

Safety Violations Compound Pain Of Painkiller Shortages

KFF Health News Original

California and federal officials have cracked down on a major compounding pharmacy they say posed a threat to public safety, but their actions are worsening shortages of medications that doctors rely on to keep their patients out of pain.

FDA Launches Criminal Investigation Into Unauthorized Herpes Vaccine Research

KFF Health News Original

The Food and Drug Administration rarely prosecutes research violations, but its criminal division is looking into the experimental herpes vaccine research by Southern Illinois University professor William Halford.