Latest KFF Health News Stories
Laughing Gas For Labor Pain? It’s Poised For A Comeback
Nitrous oxide for laboring women was popular in the U.S. until the mid-20th century when it went out of favor when birth became more medicalized. Now, midwives are putting it back on the “menu” of pain relief options for childbirth.
California’s Drug Price Initiative: Will Voters ‘Send A Signal To Washington’?
Despite heavy opposition from the pharmaceutical industry and skepticism from policy experts, many voters see Proposition 61 as a way to protest the nation’s mounting drug prices.
¿El control de la natalidad discrimina a los hombres?
Un estudio que mostró resultados positivos en términos de eficacia anticonceptiva masculina, pero fue interrumpido, ha generado un debate sobre posibles sesgos en la investigación de anticonceptivos.
Did Gender Bias Derail A Potential Birth Control Option For Men?
A study that showed positive results in terms of contraceptive efficacy but may have been linked to depression has sparked debate about possible bias in contraceptive research. But the issues may not be so simple.
Uninsured In Coal Country: Desperate Americans Still Turn To Volunteer Clinics
Dire dental needs and other health problems keep Remote Area Medical’s pop-up free clinics busy in states like Virginia that haven’t expanded Medicaid.
Seniors Suffer Amid Widespread Fraud By Medicaid Caretakers
A government watchdog report finds widespread fraud — in some cases involving patients’ severe neglect and death — in a Medicaid program that sends non-medical assistants to elderly and disabled peoples’ homes.
Deadly Superbug Linked To Four Deaths In The U.S.
A deadly superbug has been linked to at least four deaths and nine other cases in the U.S. and has spread across the globe in just six years.
Un sorprendente número de padres de California experimentaron abuso cuando niños
Uno de cada cinco adultos de California, con niños viviendo en sus casas, fue golpeado, pateado o abusado físicamente cuando niño, y uno de cada 10 fue abusado sexualmente, según datos publicados por una fundación de salud infantil.
Vinculan súper hongo mortal con cuatro muertes en EE.UU.
Un nuevo hongo mortal resistente a los medicamentos se ha relacionado con la muerte de cuatro pacientes hospitalizados en los Estados Unidos, según un nuevo informe de los CDC.
New Data: Surprising Number of California Parents Experienced Abuse as Children
Focusing on parents can help end cycle of trauma for kids, experts say.
Bad Hombres, Russian Hackers And … A Medical Device Tax?
Why an obscure revenue raiser for the Affordable Care Act has found its way into a number of congressional campaign ads.
Maverick AIDS Activist To Porn Police? The Man Behind California’s Proposition 60
Michael Weinstein of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation says he is promoting condoms where others have forgotten them.
FDA’s Drug Approval Team Copes With 700 Unfilled Jobs As Industry Lures Staff
The FDA’s drug-approval team is short more than 700 people and losing skilled staff members to the drug industry.
Why Tobacco Companies Are Spending Millions To Boost A Cigarette Tax
R.J. Reynolds has put $12 million into an effort to raise tobacco taxes in Missouri. But the proposed 60-cents per pack tax, still among the lowest in the nation, is not likely to make many smokers quit.
Blue Shield Again Owes Californians Millions In Health Care Rebates
The insurer is on the hook for $25 million in refunds to about 240,000 enrollees with employer coverage.
Healthy Customers, And Those With Major Medical Needs, May Want Bronze Plans
The bronze plans’ lower premiums — coupled with the health law’s out-of-pocket-spending protections — may make these policies an attractive option.
Siete tips para evitar un dolor de cabeza al inscribirse en un plan de salud
Con el período abierto de inscripción para planes de salud en los mercados establecidos por la Ley de Cuidado de Salud Asequible ya en marcha, los consumidores están preocupados por muchas cosas, desde el aumento de las primas hasta mantener al querido doctor.
As Insurers Cut Brokers’ Commissions, Consumers May Have One Less Tool For Enrollment
Some major insurance companies are opting not to pay commissions for plans sold on the Affordable Care Act’s marketplaces. Will this decision make enrollment season more difficult for consumers?
Premature Births Rise Slightly, First Uptick In 8 Years, March Of Dimes Reports
In 2015, the number of babies born in the U.S. before the 37th week of pregnancy increased by about 2,000 over the previous year.
7 Tips To Help Avoid Costly Health Plan Enrollment Headaches
Despite fears of rising costs and fewer insurers on the health law’s marketplaces, consumers can find the best deals by carefully evaluating plans and checking out the fine print.