Latest KFF Health News Stories
STI Infections Are Slowing; Health Experts Call For Cautious Optimism
Gonorrhea cases fell in nearly all age groups last year, CDC data show, and a new doxyPEP protocol is being hailed amid a drop in syphilis infections. Also: A Canadian teen hospitalized with bird flu is in critical condition.
Small Change For PT, OT Practitioners May Have Big Effect On Health Systems
As Modern Healthcare reports, CMS has relaxed supervision requirements for physical and occupational therapist assistants from “direct” to “general.” The change could help health systems manage patient volume and reduce Medicare spending.
First Edition: Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Pandemic Has Eased, But Heavy Alcohol Consumption Has Not
In other news, doctors are prescribing marijuana to alleviate dementia symptoms; menopausal women are driving an explosion in testosterone therapy; nearly half of Americans have high blood pressure and don’t know it; and more.
Editorial writers dissect these public health issues.
CDC Data: Uninsured Rate In US Steadies At 7.6%
The latest numbers collected from April to June show that about 25.3 million Americans don’t have health insurance — numbers consistent with the 2023 all-time low uninsured rate. Nearly 40% of people are insured under public programs like Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, or military plans.
RFK Jr. Vetting Candidates For Trump’s Appointees To Top Health Jobs
News outlets report on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s role in the Trump transition reviewing and recommending people to serve in federal health agency posts. Kennedy is eyeing about 600 terminations at the National Institutes of Health and is reportedly crowdsourcing names for possible appointees.
Trump Seeks To Flout Confirmation Rules As He Staffs His Cabinet
Despite Republicans having a majority in the Senate, President-elect Donald Trump wants to bypass that chamber’s responsibility to debate and vote on nominees. Candidates for majority leader are open to the idea. Also, a look at the nominees already tapped for cabinet roles.
Demand For Abortion Pills, Birth Control Explodes After Trump Win
Also in abortion news, Wisconsin grapples with its Civil War-era law to end abortion rights. In Florida, the battle continues over its six-week abortion ban. Plus: Missouri’s House speaker is challenged due to support for abortion law, and a Georgia woman suffers through agonizing wait for miscarriage care.
Prison Health Care Provider Wellpath Files For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Bloomberg reports that the H.I.G. Capital-backed firm is dealing with debt and high labor costs. Other health industry news is on Kaiser Permanente, Henry Ford Health’s integrated insurer, St. Vincent Charity Community Health Center, Denver Health, and more.
23andMe Lays Off 40% Of Its Employees, Ends Therapy Programs
As the company restructures, it will pivot to selling genetic tests to consumers and using that data for research. Also: medicinal and tech advancements in cancer care; research monkeys roundup.
North Carolina Areas Hit Hard By Helene Still Cut Off From Crucial Care
Providers are finding ways to get essential items to rural areas, but residents are still coping with the loss of dental services, which were limited even before the storm. In the mountains, VA teams are still navigating rough terrain as they try to care for veterans.
BCBS Of Michigan Must Pay $12.7M For Firing Worker Who Refused Covid Vax
Former IT specialist Lisa Domski had worked at Blue Cross for more than 30 years and worked 100% remotely during the pandemic. She said the vaccine went against her Catholic beliefs. The ruling could affect many other cases, including 179 more vaccine requirement cases against BCBSM.
First Edition: Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Bird Flu Cases Among Dairy Workers Flew Under The Radar, Study Finds
As a result, the CDC recommends all workers on farms with infected animals be tested and offered treatment.
ACA, Abortion Rights Among Health Care Priorities Of New Senate Dems
Roll Call lays out what newly elected members have championed in the past and what perspective they might bring to the GOP-controlled Senate. Meanwhile, one more government spending battle looms in Congress.
FDA Aims To Yank From The Market A Common But Ineffective Decongestant
The ingredient, called oral phenylephrine, is commonly used in cough and cold medicines. Also: Monkeys are on the loose from a South Carolina research facility; a North Carolina hospital files for bankruptcy; a Maine hospital ends labor and delivery services; a historic fetal surgery at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; and more.
DCF Mismanaged Health Care Of Kids, Massachusetts’ State Audit Finds
Thirty-five percent of cases reviewed show signs of lack of care for kids with serious mental health conditions, including missed therapy sessions, missing information on file, and, in some cases, improperly prescribed antipsychotics. Almost a quarter of all kids in protective custody had a prescription for at least one psychotropic medication.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. Today’s selections are on the FDA, the 4B movement, food safety, teen health, and more.
Viewpoints: Voters Didn’t Tend To US Health Care Needs; The Befuddling Vote For Abortion And Trump
Opinion writers delve into these public health topics.