Health

Why kid-friendly medications can be expensive for parents

By Shefali Luthra, Kaiser Health News

When prescribing medications, caring for children poses a particular challenge. They’re not just little adults. Their still-developing brains and bodies metabolize drugs differently, and what works for grown-ups can yield radically different — and sometimes dangerous — results in kids.

Nurse licensing laws block treatment for opioid addiction

By Christine Vestal, Stateline

Congress has paved the way to letting nurse practitioners and physician assistants prescribe anti-addiction medication. But laws in many states stand in the way.

Cherokee Nation files lawsuit targeting CVS and other pharmacies in opioid crisis

By Megan Thielking, STAT

“These drug wholesalers and retailers have profited greatly by allowing the Cherokee Nation to become flooded with prescription opioids,” the lawsuit alleges.

FDA: Codeine cough syrup should not be given to kids

By Kate Sheridan, STAT

The FDA issued its strongest level of drug warnings Thursday concerning opioid pain-reliever use in children.

For doctors, a clamp down on visas could have an uneven effect in the U.S.

By Michelle Andrews, Kaiser Health News

Hospitals use the H-1B Visa program to recruit foreign doctors to fill crucial positions in underserved or rural areas of the country. A recent executive order signed by President Trump could limit the number of visas awarded annually.

The Rover Pipeline leaked millions of gallons of drilling fluid into Ohio wetlands

By Courtney Norris

Energy Transfer Partners is coming under renewed scrutiny for two pipeline spills that released more than 2 million gallons of drilling fluid into Ohio wetlands earlier this month.

Scientists say most marijuana strains act basically the same

By Angus Chen, Scientific American

Cannabis breeders have long been crossing plants to develop distinctive strains that purportedly do different things. But many scientists see the whole thing as a pipe dream.

Under Trump, states may demand work for Medicaid

By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Associated Press

In a break from past policy, the federal Health and Human Services department has notified governors it stands ready to permit new state programs encouraging work.

Hospital inspections, kept secret, may soon become public

By Charles Ornstein, ProPublica

The federal government has proposed requiring that accreditors release reports on the problems they find during hospital inspections. Right now, the reports are secret.