Thursday, Apr 25 2019 UPDATED 8:46 AM full issue Researchers who set the new guidelines for how doctors should prescribe opioids say the providers have wrongly implemented some of their recommendations. They find that some health care players use the guidelines to justify an “inflexible application of recommended dosage and duration thresholds and policies that encourage hard limits and abrupt tapering of drug dosages." Other news on the crisis comes out of Tennessee, Texas and Louisiana. Stat: The Authors Of The CDC’s Opioid Guidelines Say They’ve Been Misapplied USA Today: CDC: Doctors Were Too Cautious About Opioid Pain Pill Prescribing The Associated Press: Feds Intend To Sue Tennessee Lawmaker Over Pain Clinics The Center for Investigative Reporting: Rehab Patients' Unpaid Work For Big Companies Likely Illegal This is part of the KHN Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news … [Read more...] about Doctors Have Swung The Pendulum Too Far And Are Under Prescribing Painkillers To Needy Patients, Experts Warn
Health Law
States Weigh Banning A Widely Used Pesticide Even Though EPA Won’t
Lawmakers in several states are trying to ban a widely used pesticide that the Environmental Protection Agency is fighting to keep on the market. The pesticide, chlorpyrifos, kills insects on contact by attacking their nervous systems. Several studies have linked prenatal exposure of chlorpyrifos to lower birth weights, lower IQs, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other developmental issues in children. But the EPA in 2017 ignored the conclusions of its scientists and rejected a proposal made during the Obama administration to ban its use in fields and orchards. Hawaii was the first state to pass a full ban last year. Now California, Oregon, New York and Connecticut are trying to do the same. Should California succeed, the rear-guard action could have a big impact. “If California is successful, that’s a big deal because it’s such a big state — the biggest agricultural state,” said Virginia Ruiz, director of occupational and environmental health … [Read more...] about States Weigh Banning A Widely Used Pesticide Even Though EPA Won’t
CMS’ New Primary Care Initiative Relies On The Simple Concept Of Quality Over Quantity. But Will It Work?
Thursday, Apr 25 2019 UPDATED 8:46 AM full issue The proposal, dubbed CMS Primary Cares, has generated cautious optimism among many primary care doctors. But the extent of its impact will be determined by an array of details not fully known--including what exactly the financial benefits look like. Stat: Primary Care Experiment's Impact Depends On Answers To These Questions In other news from CMS — Modern Healthcare: CMS Invites States To Test New Dual-Eligible Care Models Modern Healthcare: CMS Backtracks On Requiring EHRs To Track Prescriptions In 2020 This is part of the KHN Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription. … [Read more...] about CMS’ New Primary Care Initiative Relies On The Simple Concept Of Quality Over Quantity. But Will It Work?
Advocates Fear New Administration Rules Will Strip Coverage Protections For Transgender Patients, Harm Women’s Care
Thursday, Apr 25 2019 UPDATED 8:46 AM full issue The first expected rule would replace an Obama administration policy extending nondiscrimination protections to transgender patients. The National Center for Transgender Equality and other advocacy organizations believe the rules will make it easier for providers or insurers to refuse transition-related care based on religious beliefs. A second rule would finalize broad protections for health workers who cite religious or moral objections to providing services such as abortion or contraception. The Washington Post: Trump Administration Prepares A Rule Civil Rights Groups Worry May Deny Care To Transgender Patients Politico: HHS Nearing Plan To Roll Back Transgender Protections In other news about the administration's policies — The Associated Press: Court To Hear Washington Challenge To Trump Abortion Rule This is part of the KHN Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage … [Read more...] about Advocates Fear New Administration Rules Will Strip Coverage Protections For Transgender Patients, Harm Women’s Care
Public’s Anger Toward And Loss Of Trust In Big Pharma Is Adding Fuel To The Fire Of Measles Outbreak
Thursday, Apr 25 2019 UPDATED 8:47 AM full issue An erosion of public trust in anything Big Pharma says is undermining advocates' efforts to get parents to trust the vaccines that are coming from the companies. Meanwhile, in California legislation moves forward that would remove doctors' ability to grant exemptions--placing that authority in a state official, instead. News comes out of Oregon, as well. USA Today: Measles Outbreak, Vaccinations: Distrust In Big Pharma Plays A Role The Associated Press: California Vaccine Rules Advance Over Emotional Opposition Los Angeles Times: Opponents Call It A ‘Crime Against Humanity,’ But Vaccine Bill Moves Forward KQED: California Lawmakers Consider Crackdown On Fake Medical Exemptions For Vaccines The Oregonian: Vaccine Bill One Step Closer To Legislative Approval This is part of the KHN Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news … [Read more...] about Public’s Anger Toward And Loss Of Trust In Big Pharma Is Adding Fuel To The Fire Of Measles Outbreak