Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: Misinformation Can Be Deadly; Will We Ever Recover From The Covid Pandemic?
Editorial writers tackle misinformation, covid, gene therapy, and more.
Perspectives: Supreme Court Must Trust FDA On Mifepristone; What’s Behind The Fentanyl Crisis?
Read recent commentaries about pharmaceutical issues.
Should Obesity Drugs Be Prioritized? Genetics Test Could Help Decide
Read recent pharmaceutical developments in KFF Health News’ Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
New Cases And Low Vaccination Rates In Some Areas Raise Measles Concerns
Some states in the Northeast are reporting a rise in measles. That trend is expected to spread to westward, including to some spots where vaccination rates are low enough to raise alarms for the CDC.
Lawmakers, AHA Highlight Need For Health Worker Anti-Violence Bill
House sponsors of the Safety from Violence for Healthcare Employees Act of 2023 urged action on the bill at a briefing hosted by the American Hospital Association, which endorses the measure.
Medicaid Outlines Plan To Help Pay For Pricey Sickle Cell Gene Therapies
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will pursue so-called outcomes-based agreements that would put discounts or rebates in place on two new expensive gene therapies if they don’t deliver promised results for patients with sickle cell disease.
Hospital Industry Outlook Looking Good On Wall Street
Axios says rising demand for medical care is bringing “good vibes” to the hospital industry’s financial outlook, even as health insurers are left nervous. Also in the news: Humana expands its CenterWell care into new markets; Accompany Health launches; digital therapeutics; and more.
Experimental Non-Opioid Pain Drug Achieves Success In Studies
Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ new drug works by blocking pain signals before they get to the brain and is expected to avoid some issues that opioid pain drugs cause via addiction. The new drug is sparking debate on how widely it would be used if it wins regulatory approval.
Analysis Finds Premature Birth Rate Grew 12% From 2014 To 2022
In 2022, nearly 8.7% of U.S. births were premature, new data from the National Center for Health Statistics show. Black mothers were nearly twice as likely as white peers to give birth before full term. Also in the news: the VA will expand fertility treatment options to single vets and same-sex couples.
Thousands Of Frontline Worker Covid Deaths Due To Govt. Failures: Report
A new study published in the BMJ calls attention to failures in the U.S. regulatory system that contributed to the deaths of thousands of frontline workers during the pandemic. Separate research shows up to 75% of adults have hidden an infectious illness in order to work, travel, or socialize.
Syphilis Cases Rise In US While Other STDs Fall Or Stay Flat
According to CDC data, syphilis incidences rose 9% in 2022, and have increased 80% since 2018. Gonorrhea cases dropped for the first time in a decade though.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Texas Supreme Court To Hear Challenge To Youth Gender Care Ban
In other news, Ohio may be set to follow after Alabama used nitrogen gas in an execution for the first time. Also: HCA North Florida Hospital has extended its surgery shutdown after an instrument sterilization problem; Colorado’s aid-in-dying rules may change; and more.
Viewpoints: Rise In Colon Cancer In Younger Generation Baffles Doctors; Are MAID Rules Too Lenient?
Editorial writers tackle colon cancer, doctor-assisted euthanasia, child tax credits, and more.
Analysts Expect Medicare To Press Industry For Steep Drug Price Cuts
The Medicare program’s first ever price negotiations are set to begin, with experts expecting pressure for deep cuts on 10 high-cost medicines. Meanwhile, in Europe regulators are promoting their successes in regulating big pharma.
Using Alcohol, Drugs As A Teen Linked To Psychiatric Distress
New research published Monday in JAMA Pediatrics found that teens who use cannabis, alcohol, and nicotine are more likely to have underlying mental symptoms. Separate research shows that college students suffering discrimination are more likely to report mental health challenges.
Closed Illinois Hospital Will Be Reopened By OSF Healthcare
The hospital in Peru, Illinois had been recently shuttered and will now open April 7, offering emergency services and a limited inpatient facility. Also in the news: Steward Health Care’s financial issues; ProMedica’s Paramount Health acquisition by Medical Mutual; and more.
Possible Shot Contamination Linked To Five Early Alzheimer’s Cases
Five people in the U.K. may have developed Alzheimer’s because of contaminated human growth hormone injections they received as children, a new study suggests. Meanwhile, reports say new Alzheimer’s drugs are bringing hope to some patients, but not equally.
First Amendment Case On Covid Misinfo Control Heads To Supreme Court
The lawsuit, which will be heard in March, centers on questions around the federal government’s role in requesting that tech giants suppress covid misinformation during the pandemic. Also, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra defended federal covid isolation guidelines that California has deviated from.
Mifepristone Supreme Court Case Will Be Heard On March 26
The Supreme Court has scheduled arguments for March 26 in a closely watched case over access to mifepristone, one of two drugs used most commonly in the U.S. for a medication abortion. Issues of FDA authority are also at stake in the lawsuit.