Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: Hospital Workers Need A Safer Environment; Opioid Crisis Could Benefit From Legal Weed
Opinion writers tackle these issues and more.
Promising New Weapon Against HIV Soon To Be Tested In Humans
A study involving therapeutic interfering particles, or TIPs, suggests that just one shot of TIPs may keep HIV at low levels — permanently. Not only would this treatment hold off the development of AIDS, but it might make it harder for people to spread HIV to others, The New York Times reported.
FDA May Decide Today If MDMA Therapy For PTSD Will Be Approved
The decision will come after a decades-long campaign to legalize the psychedelic as a mainstream treatment — though the FDA could also put off a ruling if it needs to review clinical trial data. Among other news, magic mushroom use in palliative care, and the rise of legal psilocybin truffles.
Trump Dangles Notion Of Federal Restrictions On Abortion Pills
The GOP nominee hasn’t said that he’ll support federal limitations on mifepristone, but on Thursday, he wouldn’t rule it out, either. Separately, a look at how Democrats Kamala Harris and Tim Walz bonded over reproductive rights.
Using Marijuana Daily For Years May Raise Head, Neck Cancer Risks: Study
Separately, researchers found FDA-approved anti-nausea drug aprepitant may help battle breast cancer, stopping its spread. The FDA has also approved an immunotherapy drug for endometrial cancer patients.
Covid No Longer Among Top 5 Causes Of Death In The US
News that the virus is causing fewer deaths — it has slipped to 10th from fourth place — comes amid a summer surge that has Chicago health officials warning attendees of the music festival Lollapalooza to get checked out. Also, as measles cases spike, officials urge parents to vaccinate their kids.
CMS: Authorities Can Levy More Fines For Nursing Home Safety Violations
Under a CMS final rule, regulators can now fine nursing home providers on both per-day and per-instance bases. In other news: a focus on how violent dementia patients can affect staff and residents in nursing homes; a nurse strike at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital is avoided; more.
North Carolina Nurses Oppose NH Hospital Merger, Citing HCA History
The North Carolina nurses seek to block HCA taking over the Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, New Hampshire. At the health chain, the nurses say, “The bottom line is prioritized over patient care.”
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Parsing Policy: ‘Tampon Tim’ Supports Menstrual Equity; We Can’t Treat Bird Flu Like Covid
Editorial writers discuss these health topics and others.
Research Roundup: Heart Attack; Pneumonia; Keto; C. Diff
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
L.A. Care Health Plan Streamlines Preauthorization Process
The insurer has removed about 14,000 billing codes that would require prior authorization, including for lab tests and specialty care visits. Also in health industry news: the No Surprises Act, McLaren Health Care cyberattack, VillageMD, and more.
OxyContin Maker Purdue Pharma Gets FDA’s OK For Overdose-Reversal Device
The device, called Zurnai, is the latest in a string of approvals for products that use nalmefene, essentially a more powerful version of naloxone, Stat explains. But Stat goes on to say that the news is likely to spark anger on multiple fronts.
Californians Face Long Wait Times When Calling Medi-Cal, Analysis Finds
Researchers found that it takes almost an hour to get someone on the line. However, one public social services official says their figures show shorter wait times. Elsewhere, Delaware has new laws governing mental health care for youth, and Iowa hasn’t issued gun permits for school employees.
Sweetener In Stevia, Monk Fruit, Keto Items Linked With Blood Clots: Study
Researchers found that drinking something with erythritol more than doubled the risk of blood clots among 10 healthy participants. Also in the news: a rise in the rate of stroke deaths, a link between blood pressure and migraines, and more.
Despite Bans, Abortions Rise In US
Nearly 100,000 pregnancies are being terminated each month, according to #WeCount data, with a greater percentage of them being medication abortions. Moreover, one in five women are turning to telehealth for the care they need.
Study Is First Proof That Covid Sets Off Reaction That Leads To MIS-C
The study on multi-inflammatory syndrome in children, or MIS-C, was published Wednesday in the journal Nature. Meanwhile, covid is surging in at least 84 countries despite an incorrect assumption from some people that the pandemic is over. Plus: More dengue in Hawaii.
CDC Updates Guidance On Addressing Pain Control Before IUD Insertion
As The New York Times reported, it’s the first time federal health officials have recommended that doctors should counsel women before the procedure, which some say can be excruciating. It might lead to doctors using anesthetics more often.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers tackle these health issues and others.