Latest KFF Health News Stories
Opioid Treatment Rules Eased During The Pandemic Will Remain In Place
The Biden administration announced that policies put in place during the covid pandemic to make it easier for patients to receive opioid addiction treatments will continue permanently. Other opioid news reports on a series of court settlements.
Former Military Officials Say Abortion Drug Access Is National Security Issue
Restricting access to mifepristone, used in more than half of all medical abortions in the U.S., would hit recruitment, military readiness, and impact national security, according to a number of former military officials and high-rank service members who’ve filed a legal brief with the Supreme Court.
Most Recent Covid Booster Offers 54% Protection: Study
Meanwhile, a meta-analysis of covid research found that among the different strains that have so far swept the world, the deadliest was beta, followed by gamma, alpha, delta, and omicron. Beta’s case-fatality rate (CFR) reached 4.2%, and while omicron’s CFR was lowest, it was still four times that of flu.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
eBay Settles, Will Pay $59 Million Over Pill Presses Used For Counterfeit Pills
AP reports that the $59 million settlement between eBay and the Justice Department comes after thousands of pill press machines, which can be used to make fake pills that look like prescription pills, were sold online. Other news on the opioid crisis is on settlement funds in Boston, Washington’s King County morgue, and more.
Mississippi Targets Earlier Medicaid Coverage To Lift Pregnancy Outcomes
Mississippi could allow coverage earlier in pregnancy so that health outcomes for mothers and babies are better — in the state has the nation’s worst infant mortality rate. Meanwhile, in Texas, a federal complaint claims Deloitte software is behind thousands of erroneous Medicaid removals.
Editorial writers discuss fatphobia, mental health care, transgender care, and more.
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
In Emotional Hearing, Lawmakers Blast Tech CEOs For Mental Health Crisis
Parents have blamed Meta, TikTok, X, Snap, and Discord for fueling cyberbullying and even their children’s suicides. In an extraordinary moment during his congressional testimony Wednesday, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg stood and told parents in the room, “I’m sorry for everything you have all been through.” Every CEO stressed that they are parents, too.
Lawmakers Aim To Loosen Abortion Bans In Kentucky and Tennessee
They acknowledge though that there are tough headwinds to change abortion law in states with Republican-majority legislatures.
Experts: Conspiracy Theories Drive Rise Of Unproven Medical Treatments
An AP report draws attention to a rise of marketing unproven cures and treatments, driven by conspiracy theorists and rising social media use against a backdrop of skepticism about traditional health science. Meanwhile, the CDC’s new vaccice schedule for kids addresses fears over egg allergies.
Public Outrage Sparked As Essentia Shutters Labor, Deliveries In A Hospital
The facility in question is in Fosston, Minnesota. Separately, Bloomberg reports on the failed sale of Pennsylvania hospital chain Tower Health’s Brandywine hospital. A merger of two New Jersey providers — Saint Peter’s Healthcare System and Atlantic Health System — is also in the news.
FDA Says Recalled Philips Machines Linked To 561 Deaths Since 2021
Philips ventilators and devices for treating obstructive sleep apnea are linked to 561 reported deaths since 2021. Also in the news: CVS will close 25 MinuteClinic sites in Los Angeles; GSK settled another Zantac lawsuit in California; FDA warns against using some unapproved eyedrops; and more.
CDC Study Links Camp Lejeune Water Contamination To Cancer
Military staff stationed at the base from 1975 to 1985 had a higher chance of developing a number of cancers, CDC data say. Separately, the EPA has OK’d the use of the herbicide paraquat, despite its known links to Parkinson’s disease.
Medicare Pricing Talks On 10 Drugs Kick Off With CMS Opening Offers
The Biden administration sent starting offers in Medicare price negotiations with drugmakers for 10 prescription medications that were previously selected. The companies have until March 2 to respond to initial proposals, with other rounds of talks expected through the spring.
Biogen Abandons Alzheimer’s Drug That Won Controversial Approval
Neurimmune, the Swiss company that invented Aduhelm, will regain full rights to it from Biogen. The FDA’s accelerated approval of the drug in 2021 was contentious and there has been limited marketplace for and coverage of Aduhelm since.
Cigna To Sell Its Medicare Business To Health Care Service Corp.
Cigna is shedding its troubled Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Medicare part D plans that cover 3.6 million people. The business will be sold to Health Care Service Corp., a Blue Cross Blue Shield insurer.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Gallup Poll Finds Nurses Are Most Trusted Among 23 Major Professions
Americans trust nurses even more than doctors, the new 2023 Honesty and Ethics poll found: 78% of Americans taking part in the poll felt nurses kept to “very high” or “high” standards of honesty and ethics. Also in the news: female body dummies for CPR training.
Utah Gov. Signs Bill Restricting Trans People’s Access To Public Restrooms
The new anti-trans law also defines the legal definition of “male” and female” based on a person’s genitalia instead of gender identity. Meanwhile, in Florida, trans people can no longer update their driver’s licenses to match gender identity — a move not prompted by any new law.