Latest KFF Health News Stories
Cannabis Policy Could Take A Hit After Report Showing More Teens Use THC
Some health experts want more regulation of the cannabis market, citing health concerns and easy access for youths. In other news, Vice President Kamala Harris will hold a marijuana reform roundtable Friday.
Nurse Who Accidentally Killed Patient Highlights Hospital’s Errors
Former nurse RaDonda Vaught told CommonSpirit Health staff members that her accidental administering of the wrong medication was influenced by hospital issues like a faulty medication dispenser. Also in the news: Mass General Brigham, Mayo Clinic, and more.
Researchers Warn Of New Amoeba Risk From Nasal Rinsing
Using the right kind of water in your neti pot now seems extra important since the CDC has linked rare but deadly Acanthamoeba infections to nasal rinsing systems. Also in the news: A man living in an iron lung has died at age 78.
645 People Died From Heat In Arizona’s Most Populous County Last Year
The figure is up over 50% on 2022’s number for the arid metro Phoenix area. Also in the news: loss of health care for immigrants in Illinois; a failed override of Nebraska’s governor’s veto of a “safe needles” bill; and more.
Harris Will Be First Vice President To Visit An Abortion Clinic
Vice President Kamala Harris is set to visit and meet with abortion providers and staff members at a health center in Minneapolis, spotlighting an issue that Democrats will lean into during the 2024 election.
Study: New Blood Test Good At Detecting Colorectal Cancer Early
A clinical trial of the new test found it detected 83% of people with colorectal cancer. It’s not yet FDA approved. Also in the news, a blood cancer treatment is found promising for treating the deadliest type of brain cancer, glioblastoma.
HHS Looking Into Cybersecurity At UnitedHealth Following Change Hack
The HHS Office for Civil Rights is investigating the ransomware attack at UnitedHealth’s subsidiary Change Healthcare to evaluate the extent of the hack’s breach and the insurance company’s HIPAA compliance. Meanwhile, fallout from the attack continues to be felt across the health industry.
2 Chicago Public School Students Have Measles; CDC Updates Travel Guidance
There are now 10 confirmed measles cases in Chicago, and the city is said to be “moving quickly” to vaccinate public school students. The CDC is also warning that if you’re traveling abroad, you should check whether you’re up to date on measles shots.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
House Panel Unanimously Advances Bill To Prevent Health Worker Burnout
The Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act of 2024 is named after a New York physician who died by suicide in 2020, Modern Healthcare reports. The bill would authorize five years of grant programs. Other news is on the Affordable Care Act, doxycycline, and more.
New Doctors, Nurses Educated During Pandemic Era Prompt Safety Concerns
A nonprofit patient safety organization flags potential challenges that could emerge this year as recent medical and nursing school graduates start caring for patients — due to the disrupted nature of this cohort’s medical training during the covid pandemic.
11% Of High School Seniors Say They’ve Used Delta-8 THC
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association also found that nearly a third of high school seniors had used marijuana in the past year. Other health and wellness news is on a plague death in New Mexico, a talking throat patch for voice disorders, and more.
Opponents Concede That California’s Mental Health Measure Likely Will Pass
After a week of tallying ballots, the votes in favor of Proposition 1 were maintaining a slim lead. The measure would vastly increase the number of treatment beds and supportive housing facilities. Other news is from Arkansas, Texas, Missouri, West Virginia, and Florida.
Editorial writers tackle pediatric cancer, health care price transparency, contraceptives, and more.
Opposite Of Florida: Massive Response In Chicago As 900 Get Measles Vaccine
CDC experts arrived in the city Tuesday in an effort to help contain an outbreak at a migrant shelter. Meanwhile, more cases were reported in Arizona and also on an airplane flight to Ireland.
Perspectives: Copay Accumulator Is Harming Patients; Can Neighborhood Pharmacies Be Saved?
Read recent commentaries about pharmaceutical issues.
ADHD Drugs Reduce Overall Mortality For Patients, Large Study Finds
Read recent pharmaceutical developments in KFF Health News’ Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
White House Launches Push For Access, Training On Overdose Reversal Meds
The Biden administration says that part of its efforts to stem the national overdose crisis will include “flooding the zone” with naloxone, a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose. Other federal news reports on the 340B drug discount program and the Change Healthcare hack.
‘Judge Shopping’ Could Become Harder After Move By Federal Courts
The mifepristone case raised the visibility of the practice by some advocacy groups to file lawsuits in front of courts or judges that are likely to be more sympathetic or friendly to the case. Other reproductive health news reports on birth control, the maternal health crisis, Medicaid coverage, and more.
Global Life Expectancy Dipped By 1.6 Years From 2019 To 2021
CIDRAP reports on the “stunning reversal of decades of progress,” thanks to the pandemic. Other covid news is on the fourth anniversary of the pandemic, nasal swabbing at airports, and more.