Public Health Archives - Page 128 of 186

KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: Biden Doubles Down On Obamacare

Presidential candidate Joe Biden unveiled a health plan intended to provide a more moderate alternative to his competitors’ “Medicare for All” plans. It would build on the Affordable Care Act but would go much further. Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Joanne Kenen of Politico and Kimberly Leonard of the Washington Examiner join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss this, plus Planned Parenthood’s very bad week, the U.S. House vote to repeal the health law’s “Cadillac tax” on generous health plans, and the reduction in deaths from opioids.

July 18, 2019

Letters To The Editor

KHN Investigation On Opioid Prescribers Pains Some Readers And Tweeters

Kaiser Health News gives readers a chance to comment on a recent batch of stories.

July 18, 2019

‘Climate Grief’: Fears About The Planet’s Future Weigh On Americans’ Mental Health

Although there’s no official clinical diagnosis, the psychiatric and psychological communities have names for the phenomenon of worrying about the Earth’s fate: “climate distress,” “climate grief,” “climate anxiety” or “eco-anxiety.” The concept also is gradually making its way into the public consciousness in television shows and movies.

By Victoria Knight

July 18, 2019

Navigating Aging

Common Medications Can Masquerade As Dementia In Seniors

A wide variety of medications used to treat allergies, insomnia, leaky bladders, diarrhea, dizziness, motion sickness, asthma, Parkinson’s disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and psychiatric disorders can interfere with cognition in older patients.

By Judith Graham

July 18, 2019

An Arm and a Leg

I’m A CPAP Dropout: Why Many Lose Sleep Over Apnea Treatment

An estimated 18 million American adults have sleep apnea. The go-to treatment — a CPAP machine — offers a healthy restful night’s sleep, but many people struggle to use it. As many as 50% of patients stop using the device.

By Victoria Knight

July 17, 2019

Pain Meds As Public Nuisance? Oklahoma Tests A Legal Strategy Against Opioid Maker

Oklahoma is seeking $17 billion in damages from Johnson & Johnson, the pharmaceutical giant. After a seven-week trial, a judge will decide if the opioid drugmaker is liable and if so, for how much.

By Jackie Fortiér, StateImpact Oklahoma

July 17, 2019

As Temperatures Climb, A New Push To Keep Workers Safe

Over the past decade, more than 350 workers nationwide have died from heat-related illness, and tens of thousands have had heat-related problems serious enough that they missed at least one day of work. Proposed federal legislation, modeled on California regulations, would create the first national standards for protecting workers from heat-related stress.

By Anna Maria Barry-Jester

July 16, 2019

Even When HIV Prevention Drug Is Covered, Other Costs Block Treatment

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended that people who are at high risk of contracting HIV take PrEP, a preventive treatment. The decision means most health plans will be required to cover the drugs without charging patients. But the recommendation doesn’t apply to the other clinical and lab services people need.

By Michelle Andrews

July 15, 2019

Must-Reads Of The Week From Brianna Labuskes

Newsletter editor Brianna Labuskes wades through hundreds of health care policy stories each week, so you don't have to.

By Brianna Labuskes

July 12, 2019

Bill of the Month

Despite Federal Protections, Rape Victims Still Get Billed For Forensic Exams

Under federal law, people who have been raped don’t have to pay for medical forensic exams, yet many get billed and have trouble getting the hospitals or collection agencies to stop dunning them for payment.

By Michelle Andrews

July 12, 2019

Medicare Going In ‘Right Direction’ On Opioid Epidemic

A new report by the inspector general for HHS shows prescriptions to treat opioid addiction are way up in recent years, while prescriptions for the painkillers have fallen.

By Martha Bebinger, WBUR

July 10, 2019

Watch: High Cost Of Insulin Sends Americans To Canada To Stock Up

KHN, in collaboration with PBS NewsHour, reports on the skyrocketing cost of insulin — and the trend's deadly consequences. The price in the U.S. nearly doubled from 2012 to 2016, prompting some patients and activists to travel to Canada, where insulin can be 90% cheaper.

By Sarah Varney

July 10, 2019

Listen: Black Pharmacists Are Helping Close A Cultural Health Care Divide

KHN Midwest correspondent Cara Anthony is interviewed on Illinois Public Media’s “The 21st” by Niala Boodhoo about how black pharmacists are helping fill a void for African American patients seeking culturally competent care.

July 9, 2019

Sobering Up: In An Alcohol-Soaked Nation, More Seek Booze-Free Social Spaces

A national trend of boozeless bars is cropping up nationwide to create social spaces without the hangovers, DUIs and alcoholism culture. It’s part of a new push for sober options.

By Laura Ungar and Jayne O’Donnell, USA Today

July 8, 2019

Hidden Harm

FDA Ends Months-Long FOIA Battle Over Medical Device Failures, Says Putting Database Online ‘Satisfies’ KHN Request

KHN filed multiple Freedom of Information Act requests over months, and the FDA responded Wednesday saying the data about device malfunctions is now publicly available online.

July 3, 2019

Newly Blue Maine Expands Access To Abortion

After a wave of Democratic women were elected in 2018, Maine joins the handful of states that are shoring up the right to an abortion ahead of expected Supreme Court challenges.

By Patty Wight, Maine Public Radio

July 3, 2019

State Broadens Investigation Of Doctors For Issuing Questionable Vaccination Exemptions

The Medical Board of California is investigating at least four doctors for issuing questionable vaccine exemptions for numerous children. The investigations come amid the nation’s worst measles outbreak in more than a quarter-century.

By Barbara Feder Ostrov

July 2, 2019

Want Ammo? Be Prepared For A Background Check

A new law took effect Monday that requires anyone buying ammunition in California to undergo a background check at the time of each purchase. Public health leaders hope this, and other provisions of Proposition 63, will help reduce the rate of gun violence.

By Ana B. Ibarra

July 2, 2019

Florida Is The Latest Republican-Led State To Adopt Clean Needle Exchanges

Florida has struggled for years with opioid overdoses — and the highest rate of HIV infection in the U.S. Lawmakers now hope needle exchanges and a "harm reduction" approach could help save lives.

By Sammy Mack, WLRN

July 2, 2019

Must-Reads Of The Week From Brianna Labuskes

Newsletter editor Brianna Labuskes wades through hundreds of health care policy stories each week, so you don't have to.

By Brianna Labuskes

June 28, 2019

Trump 2.0

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