Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: Too Many Americans Can’t Afford Health Insurance; Why Is Lyme Disease So Ignored?
Editorial writers tackle health insurance, Lyme disease, Dengue fever, and more.
Experts: Opioid Use Disorder Sufferers Dehumanized By Health Workers
Politico quotes the deputy assistant administrator for the Drug Enforcement Administration saying that oftentimes, medical professionals call sufferers “them” and say they don’t want to deliver treatment. Separately, NIDA’s director has positive hopes for beating the opioid crisis.
Researchers Find ‘Acid Wall’ Clue To Cancer’s Immune System Defenses
The discovery may open new avenues for drug development targeting cancer cells. Also in the news: local “decolonization” efforts and multidrug-resistant pathogens; heart failure and e-cigarettes; left-handedness; and more.
Bavarian Nordic Launches Mpox Vaccine As Commercial Product
The vaccine can now be made available outside of designated clinics that were administering doses from the U.S. government’s supply. U.S. mpox cases are racing ahead of last year’s levels. Also in the news: Genmab, Providence, Aegis, and more.
Potentially More Than 1 Million People In Colorado Have Medical Debt
The Colorado Sun and KFF Health News take a closer look at the scale, impact, and causes of medical debt in Colorado. In other news from around the country, worker heat protections in California, polychlorinated biphenyls at North Carolina State University, and more.
A Focus On Women’s Shrinking Abortion Options In Florida After Ruling
NPR notes that over 80,000 Floridians seek abortions in a typical year, about 1 in 12 across the country…but after a ruling that allowed a six week ban to go into effect, most similar abortion-seekers this year will have to find a different solution elsewhere.
CMS Responds To Pharma Offers In Medicare Drug Price Negotiations
Negotiations over the prices of 10 prescriptions drugs proceed to the next phase, as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services say they have rejected initial price offers from manufacturers, Politico reports. Each company will have three chances to meet with CMS during the negotiations, with final prices to be announced on Aug. 1.
White House Plan To Fix Drug Supplies Leverages Hospital Medicare Payments
The plan will base Medicare pay to hospitals on how well the facilities’ business practices aim at avoiding drug shortages. Meanwhile, supplies of Eli Lilly’s diabetes drug Mounjaro are in short supply through April, and ADHD meds shortages drag on.
Survey Shines Light On Health Care Discrimination Against LGBTQ+ People
Members of the LGBTQ+ community are twice as likely to experience discrimination in health care, a survey found. Separately, the Department of Justice is suing Utah and its corrections department for discriminating against a trans woman.
Biden Administration Health Officials Brief Lawmakers On ‘Low’ Bird Flu Risk
Federal health agencies are preparing for possible new cases of human infections from the avian flu virus spreading in dairy and egg farms in the U.S. FDA, CDC, and other officials briefed congressional leaders and committees on the outlook during a call Tuesday.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Oregon Just Recriminalized Possession Of Small Drug Amounts
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, a Democrat, signed a bill ending a drug decriminalization experiment that was limited by challenges. The new bill does establish a way for treatment to be offered as an alternative to criminal penalties.
HHS: Teaching Hospitals Must Get Consent To Conduct Invasive Exams
HHS reinforced to teaching hospitals and medical schools that the law requires patients to provide informed consent before “sensitive examinations” like pelvic exams can take place. Other Biden administration news reports on cybersecurity, the menthol ban, and more.
CDC Confirms First Human Case Of Bird Flu In Texas
A person in Texas is believed to have been infected with avian flu after “direct contact” with infected dairy cattle in Texas. The case is a rare animal-to-human transmission of the virus, which has been detected in cows in 3 states.
Florida Court OKs 6-Week Abortion Ban, But Amendment Will Be On Ballot
The state’s highest court ruled that Florida’s Constitution does not protect abortion access, triggering a strict six-week ban. An amendment protecting abortion was, however, OK’d for November’s ballot. In Kansas, abortion “coercion” was criminalized.
Overworked And Underpaid: Experts Sound Alarm On Primary Doc Shortage
Also in the news about health care workers: losing trust in the American medical system; residents and fellows at UChicago Medicine move to unionize; California’s Santa Clara County nurses prepare to strike; and more.
Senate Committee Examines Possible ER Care Damage By Private Equity
The goal is to examine if private equity’s management of a large share of ERs across the country has harmed patients. Separately, Intermountain Health closed Saltzer Health’s multispecialty clinics after not being able to find a buyer.
Supreme Court Denies Worker’s Appeal Over Covid Vaccine Refusal
The Supreme Court rejected the case of a worker who was fired from her job at AstraZeneca after refusing to comply with the company’s covid vaccine requirement. She was denied unemployment benefits by Minnesota.
Study Finds Many Hospital Pneumonia Diagnoses Are Inappropriate
Misdiagnosed adults in hospitals are almost always given a full antibiotic course for pneumonia that may not be necessary, according to researchers. Also in the news: safer table saws, exercise-related injuries, mental health, and more.
Biden Administration Confirms 2025 Medicare Advantage Payments To Drop
Stat notes that the government wasn’t convinced by insurer and lobbyist efforts arguing that Medicare Advantage payouts wouldn’t cover the costs for people using health care. Also, experts warn Medicare coverage for Wegovy could hike monthly payments for many.