Latest KFF Health News Stories
Facing Patient Violence, Connecticut Hospital Workers Call For Security
Rising aggressive behavior from patients triggered a demand for better security from workers at Bradley Memorial Campus of the Hospital of Central Connecticut. In other news from across the country: Medicaid for Floridians with disabilities; Matthew Perry’s death; and more.
Revamped Medicare Drug Prices Still Cost More Than In Other Rich Nations
A Reuters review found that Australia, Japan, Canada, and Sweden have negotiated much lower prices for the same drugs. In other pharmaceutical news: A decision on whether to reclassify marijuana won’t come until after the November election.
House Panel Will Quiz Cuomo Publicly About Covid-Era Nursing Home Policies
Transcripts from former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s private testimony in June will be released ahead of next week’s hearing, which is examining the Democrat’s advisory that prevented nursing homes from rejecting covid patients. Separately, Oregon is facing its largest spike in measles cases in 30 years.
First Edition: Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers discuss these public health topics.
Iranian Hackers Are Attacking US Health Care Sites, Cyber Sleuths Say
The bad actors aim to cause disruptions as they seek ways to extort victims, officials warn. Also making health care technology news: web tracking, bacteria detection, robotics, and more.
Investigation Says Acadia Healthcare Lures, Traps Psychiatric Patients
A New York Times investigation found that in some cases, patients were held against their will even when it was not medically necessary — plumping up the company’s finances. Also in industry news: HCA Healthcare and UnitedHealthcare, Steward, CareTrust REIT, and more.
Sanofi Oral Treatment For Multiple Sclerosis Meets Important Trial Goals
The drug, tolebrutinib, met its Phase 3 study goals, despite patients in two other studies not seeing a benefit earlier in the disease. Separately, Abbott’s MitraClip demonstrated benefits for heart failure patients, but the findings of the study are controversial.
Oregon’s Drug Decriminalization Experiment Comes To An End
The Washington Post notes this was a first-in-nation trial to allow possession of small amounts of hard drugs to tackle the fentanyl crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Meanwhile, the three largest U.S. drug distributors reach a $300 million opioid settlement with health insurers.
Listeria Outbreak Tied To Boar’s Head Deli Meat Isn’t Over, Lawyer Warns
“This plant was more a Listeria factory” than one used to produce food, a lawyer said after numerous health and safety violations were found at a Virginia facility where products are made. Havana syndrome, tobacco requirements, and heart disease risk also are in the news.
Iowa Prison Takes Sanitary And Health Measures To Stem Mpox Infections
The Iowa Department of Corrections reports that mpox has been detected at the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility. The number of prisoners infected with the virus is unknown, but a statement says: “Affected individuals are receiving care, and enhanced sanitation and isolation protocols are in place to prevent further spread.”
CDC Program Offering Free Covid Shots For The Needy Has Run Out Of Money
Without the federal Bridge Access Program that absorbed the cost of the vaccines, under- and uninsured Americans will have to pay up to $200 for an immunity boost. Meanwhile, as Novavax readies its vaccine for a rollout this week, global health officials are monitoring an even more contagious subvariant than the one circulating now.
Minnesota Measles Outbreak Spreads To 30, Shutters Somali Religious School
Officials are asking Minnesotans to consider immunizations, as all but one of the people infected were unvaccinated. Also in the news: West Nile virus, EEE, bird flu, polio, and the Oropouche virus.
Number Of Uninsured Americans Fell Under Biden, Went Up Under Trump
After the first two years of Joe Biden’s presidency, the national uninsured rate declined 1.2%, to the lowest rate ever. After the first three years of Trump’s presidency, the uninsured rate went up 0.6%, USA Today reports. Meanwhile, Trump flip-flops on a Florida abortion ban ballot measure.
First Edition: Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
Democrats Celebrated At Convention, And Some Went Home With Covid
Members of Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris’ campaign staff are among those fighting the virus. People aren’t letting the virus keep them down, The New York Times reports: Folks are shunning covid protocols.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis Case Confirmed In Houston County, Texas
As Texas animal health officials urge vets and owners to vaccinate horses against the mosquito-borne virus, officials in Massachusetts begin spraying in hopes of curbing the spread of the disease. West Nile virus, bird flu, and mpox also are in the news.
Northwell Health Promises 5 Years Of Birth Services At Connecticut Hospital
In the wake of an antitrust probe into Northwell Health’s merger with Nuvance Health, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong has reached an agreement with Northwell to preserve labor and delivery services for five years at Sharon Hospital. In other news, McLaren Health Care says it’s recovered from a cyberattack earlier this month.
San Francisco Offers Antipsychotic Drugs To Unhoused Meth Users
In extending aid to help users deal with symptoms like paranoia and delusions, the city hopes to reduce pressure on psych emergency services. Other reports shine a light on how wastewater monitoring could be used to track drug use in the country.