Latest KFF Health News Stories
Research Roundup: New Strain Of Mpox; Cancer; Antibiotic Resistance
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health studies and briefs.
Arizona Senate Rescinds Abortion Ban With Little Help From GOP Lawmakers
Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, is expected to sign the measure, which then would reinstate the law allowing for elective abortions up to 15 weeks. Meanwhile, women are reeling after Florida’s strict six-week abortion law takes hold.
‘Long Way To Go’: Maternal Deaths Decrease, But Racial Disparities Persist
A CDC report shows that the spike in maternal death rates reported in 2021 fell significantly in 2022 — returning to pre-pandemic levels. But an alarming pattern remains: Far more Black pregnant patients are dying than white, Asian, or Hispanic.
UnitedHealth CEO Faces Blistering Questions At Hearings On Change Hack
UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty faced criticisms from Senate and House committees on Wednesday over his company’s cybersecurity that led to the ransomware attack on subsidiary Change Healthcare. He also answered questions about the company’s response to the incident that compromised private data for as many as a third of Americans.
Two Bird Flu Vaccines Are Ready For Humans, If Needed
As the government girds for a potential human outbreak, it is finding that food products — milk, sour cream, cheese, and ground beef — are still safe for consumption.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Is Home Research Hurting The Doctor-Patient Relationship?; What To Look For With H5N1
Editorial writers discuss doctor-patient relationships, bird flu, colorectal cancer, and the health of children.
FDA: Brain Biopsies Performed With ‘False Justification’ At Mount Sinai
Patients desperate for relief from debilitating diseases were asked to participate in research study, prompting a review by the Food and Drug Administration. In other news, a treatment to restore brain cells for patients with Timothy syndrome shows promise for treating other genetic conditions.
Read recent commentaries about pharmaceutical issues.
Controversial Generic Drug ‘Skinny Labels’ Saved Medicare Billions
Read recent pharmaceutical developments in KFF Health News’ Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Trump: Pandemic Office Isn’t Needed; Biden Campaign Slams His Words
“Pandemic preparedness isn’t abstract to the millions of Americans that lost a loved one” during former President Trump’s covid leadership, Biden campaign spokesman Kevin Munoz said, after Donald Trump said the preparedness office was “a way of giving out pork.”
Scientists: Influenza A Virus Found In Wastewater Triggers Bird Flu Concerns
A new study about the possible spread of H5N1 through dairy cattle includes observations of spiking levels of influenza A virus in wastewater samples. Meanwhile, the USDA is testing ground beef for bird flu particles, though it stresses meat is safe.
Class-Action Lawsuit OK’d Against Florida’s ‘Unwinding’ Of Medicaid
The suit alleges Florida did not properly tell people that they were going to be disenrolled from the program. Meanwhile, Mississippi lawmakers might vote this week on a proposal to expand Medicaid.
Walmart’s Closure Of Clinics Is Part Of Larger Retail Retreat From Health Care
Walmart will shut down all 51 of its health clinics and its virtual care services, citing costs and the challenges of reimbursements as the force behind its change of strategy.
Watchdog Report: Hospital Patient Grades Up For First Time Since Covid
The Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit watchdog organization, finds that the improved patient experience scores in at least 70% of hospitals have helped drive an improvement in overall safety grades for spring 2024.
CDC: Rural Americans More Likely Than Urban Americans To Die Early
The federal data, published in a report Tuesday, covers 2010 through 2022 and finds rural Americans to be at higher risk of early death from one of the five leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, unintentional injuries, stroke, and chronic lower respiratory disease.
Biennial Breast Cancer Screening Should Start At 40, Task Force Suggests
The group based its recommendation to bump up mammograms by 10 years on studies showing “moderate net benefit.” The group also found that Black women are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced-stage cancer. Experts from other groups contend testing every other year isn’t enough.
Gigantic DEA Policy Shift May See Pot Classified As Less Dangerous
The AP reports that the DEA is moving to reclassify marijuana, though the drug will remain listed as a controlled substance. News outlets examine what the ripple effects of reclassification will be, including facilitating research into the drug.
Florida’s Abortion Ban After 6 Weeks Now In Effect
Starting today, the window in which a pregnant person can get an abortion in Florida was reduced from 15 weeks to six. Leading up to the new law taking effect, abortion clinics rushed to treat as many patients as possible.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.