Healthcare news articles 2018

Here are some significant healthcare news articles from 2018:

  1. ACA Repeal Efforts Fail Again: In July 2018, the Senate once again failed to pass a bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare. The bill, known as the "Better Care Reconciliation Act," was met with opposition from both parties and was ultimately withdrawn. (Source: The New York Times)
  2. Opioid Epidemic Reaches Crisis Levels: In 2018, the opioid epidemic continued to worsen, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting that more than 47,000 Americans died from opioid overdoses. The crisis led to increased calls for action from lawmakers and healthcare professionals. (Source: CNN)
  3. EpiPen Price Hike Sparks Outrage: In August 2018, pharmaceutical company Mylan faced backlash after announcing a price hike for its EpiPen, a life-saving medication for severe allergic reactions. The price increase sparked outrage and calls for price regulation. (Source: The Washington Post)
  4. Cancer Deaths Decline: In 2018, the American Cancer Society reported that cancer deaths in the US had declined by 2.2% between 2016 and 2017, the largest single-year decline in mortality rates since 1999. The decline was attributed to advances in cancer treatment and early detection. (Source: The New York Times)
  5. Vaccination Rates Decline: In 2018, vaccination rates in the US began to decline, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting that the percentage of children who received recommended vaccinations had dropped to its lowest level in over a decade. (Source: The Washington Post)
  6. Mental Health Awareness Grows: In 2018, mental health awareness continued to grow, with increased discussions about mental health stigma and the need for greater access to mental health services. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reported that 1 in 5 adults in the US experienced mental illness in 2018. (Source: NAMI)
  7. Telemedicine Gains Traction: In 2018, telemedicine continued to gain traction, with more healthcare providers and insurance companies offering virtual care services. The American Telemedicine Association reported that the telemedicine market was expected to reach $130 billion by 2025. (Source: Healthcare Finance News)
  8. Medicare for All Debate Intensifies: In 2018, the debate over Medicare for All, a single-payer healthcare system, intensified, with some lawmakers calling for a transition to a single-payer system and others opposing the idea. (Source: The New York Times)
  9. Hospitals Face Financial Strains: In 2018, many hospitals faced financial strains, with some reporting significant losses and others struggling to stay afloat. The American Hospital Association reported that hospitals faced a $45 billion shortfall in 2018. (Source: Modern Healthcare)
  10. AI and Machine Learning in Healthcare: In 2018, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) continued to gain traction in healthcare, with applications in areas such as medical imaging, patient diagnosis, and personalized medicine. (Source: Healthcare IT News)

These are just a few of the many significant healthcare news articles from 2018. The year was marked by ongoing debates over healthcare policy, advances in medical technology, and growing concerns about healthcare access and affordability.