Latest KFF Health News Stories
FDA Expected To Issue Its First Approval For A Peanut Allergy Treatment
The drug, Palforzia, is taken daily in a regimen known as oral immunotherapy that aims to blunt the immune system’s overreaction to peanuts. Though the treatment is not a cure and doesn’t work for everyone, a panel of experts recommended that the Food and Drug Administration OK the drug. A decision could come by January. In other news from the FDA: more blood pressure medicines are recalled.
By keeping the immigrants in confined spaces, more are being exposed to infectious diseases like mumps and measles, health officials say. News also focuses on the mental health damage that can emerge years after children are released from detention facilities.
Public Health Officials Hopeful That New Drug Regimen May Curb The Scourge Of Tuberculosis
A course of drugs, lasting just one month, is effective at preventing the infection, scientists have reported. Also in the news: a possible new option to fight heart disease, the mysteries of chronic pain and an Alzheimer’s researcher fights a disease that threatens her husband.
U.S. Prosecutors Open Criminal Probe Of Juul; Vaping Death Toll Rises To 9
The investigation by the U.S. attorney’s office of the Northern District of California is in its early stages and the focus was not yet clear, according to The Wall Street Journal. Meanwhile, officials in Kansas tied the death of a man over the age of 50 with the vaping illnesses reported around the country. Also in the news, a look at how Wisconsin health officials zeroed in on the problem and how Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) is pushing federal officials to crack down on vaping products.
Analyzing How Anti-Vaccine Sentiment Gained Fervor In The U.S.
And, internationally, Doctors Without Borders is urging more transparency regarding the management of the Ebola vaccine.
Judges Hear Appeal Challenging Trump Administration’s Abortion Funding Rule
A panel of 11 judges for the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco heard arguments Monday on the regulation. It bans clinics funded by the Title X federal family planning program from making abortion referrals unless the woman’s life is in danger. The lawsuit challenging the rule is backed by 22 states as well as Planned Parenthood and other organizations.
Polling done by a firm associated with the presidential campaign of former Vice President Joe Biden found the issue of “Medicare for All” to be a weak spot among Democratic primary voters. Still, a Washington Post fact check found that Biden bungled an effort to attack the policy.
Drugmakers, Facing ‘Stiffest Political Headwinds,’ Mount Strong Lobbying Effort In Congress
As both Democrats and Republicans call for new policies to curb drug prices, the pharmaceutical industry is spending millions of dollars on advertising campaigns. Some of the key lawmakers handling a Democratic proposal have received large donations from drugmakers, and Republican legislators are looking for guidance from the White House.
Challenges To Georgia, Tennessee Abortion Restrictions Go To Court
During the first day of action, opponents of Georgia’s new anti-abortion law — that effectively bans the procedure once a fetal heartbeat can be detected — argued for a federal judge to block the measure from going into effect on Jan. 1. In Tennessee, a former medical director of Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi testified on the state’s new 48-hour waiting period.
First Edition: September 24, 2019
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
As Off-Label Use Spreads, Supplies Of Niche Drugs And Patients’ Patience Grow Short
The reasons behind one particular shortage of a therapy known as IVIG are complicated, stemming from increased demand and the medication’s long production window.
It’s Not Just Insulin: Diabetes Patients Struggle To Get Crucial Supplies
The latest technology makes managing Type 1 diabetes much easier. But managing insurance company rules for the supplies is a big obstacle for some patients.
¿Cómo prevenir suicidios? Busca pistas en moteles, consultorios y refugios de animales
Un programa en un condado de Oregon ha logrado reducir la tasa de suicidios investigando las decisiones que toman las personas que piensan en el suicidio días antes de cometerlo.
Editorial writers focus on the public health dangers of vaping.
Opinion writers weigh in on these health care topics and others.
Media outlets report on news from California, Arizona, North Carolina, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Minnesota, South Dakota, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Indiana.
Legal Challenge To Georgia’s ‘Heartbeat Bill’ To Kick Off In Court
A federal judge is set to hear the arguments Monday from opponents of Georgia’s new anti-abortion law who want him to stop the measure from going into effect on Jan. 1 with the court case ongoing. Meanwhile, in Tennessee, a lawsuit challenging that state’s 48-hour waiting period is also scheduled to start.
Jury Selection To Start In California’s Antitrust Lawsuit Against Sutter Health
California’s Department of Justice alleges that Sutter Health bought up competing medical providers in Northern California and used that market dominance to increase prices for insurance plans. Sutter recently released a statement defending its business practices. The trial is expected to run for months. And other hospital and industry news is reported from Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Hampshire, Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia.
Fierce Behind-The-Scenes Fight Over California’s Vaccine Law Centered On Governor
The Los Angeles Times reports on the months of negotiating and lobbying that took place outside of the public view and shifted Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s position over the course of the vaccine law debate. Other vaccine news is reported out of New York, Maryland and Oregon.
Meanwhile, The Baltimore Sun reports that while deaths from opioids dropped overall in Maryland, Baltimore has been largely left behind. News about the opioid crisis is on litigation against the the drug makers and distributors and misinformation about anti-overdose medication, as well.