Latest KFF Health News Stories
Different Takes: Kamala Harris Has Kids, No Matter The Political Hot Takes
Editorial writers discuss these issues and others.
Biden Says He’ll Work On Supreme Court Reforms During Last Months In Office
President Joe Biden delivered a national speech Wednesday night outlining his priorities for the remainder of his presidency. He called for changes to the Supreme Court, which in its current form is reshaping many policy areas including health care.
Harris Indicates She’ll Push For Thwarted ‘Care Economy’ Expansions
The Washington Post covers language in two speeches by Vice President Kamala Harris that indicate she’ll push for legislation to expand paid family leave, housing assistance, child care and eldercare — Biden “care economy” initiatives that failed to pass because of political resistance.
US Infant Mortality Rates Grew 3% in 2022
News outlets were conflicted on whether it was a trend, but experts agreed it was a cause for concern. Also in the news: A federal appeals court has ruled that a group of Republican-led states does not have legal standing to get a court to impose restrictions on mifepristone.
Spread Of Bird Flu Might Be ‘Really Difficult To Control,’ Experts Find
Although the risk of human-to-human transmission is considered low, studies of H5N1 reveal the virus can spread in multiple ways across species. They also question whether cow milk plays a big role in the spread. Meanwhile, 22 states and the District of Columbia are considered to be covid hot spots.
Study Finds Twice-Yearly Shot 100% Effective At Blocking HIV
In a study of 5,000 young women and girls in Africa, none of the patients who received the shots contracted HIV. NPR notes the trial generated controversy at the AIDS 2024 conference and prompted an expert group to recommend halting the blind trial and giving the lenacapavir drug to all participants.
Worldwide Tech Outage Blamed On Software Bug Sent To Users’ Devices
After identifying what caused the shutdown, CrowdStrike is revising its protocol for rolling out updates. Also in the news: the mining of patient data, and the questionable use of medical codes.
Critics Question Health Care Impact Of Nurse Practitioners
Bloomberg examines the nurse practitioner boom, with a focus on how these types of health care staff members and their training are affecting the quality of health care.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Army Rebukes Maine Shooter’s Superiors For Ignoring Health Concerns
The disciplinary action against Sgt. 1st Class Robert Card’s superiors prevents them from advancing in their careers, Military.com reports. The investigation into the shooting rampage also revealed a civilian psychiatric hospital tried to have Card committed.
Editorial writers discuss these issues and others.
Perspectives: Should Medicare And Medicaid Pay For Weight Loss Drugs?; FDA Approved Ineffectual Drug
Read recent commentaries about pharmaceutical issues.
FDA’s Medical Device Chief To Leave Agency; Hospitals Struggling With Blood Culture Bottle Shortage
Read recent pharmaceutical developments in KFF Health News’ Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Biden’s Decision To Step Out Of The Race Hits Home For Older Americans
Older citizens and aging experts bring a well of empathy toward President Joe Biden for his decision, The Wall Street Journal reports, with many voicing support and others raising concerns of ageism. In related aging news: Retirement may get trickier the longer a person waits, and more.
Lawmakers, PBMs Play Blame Game During Tense Hearing On Capitol Hill
Members of the House oversight panel blamed the PBM industry for high prescription prices, but executives from three major pharmacy benefit managers—CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, and Optum Rx—pointed the finger at manufacturers.
As Bird Flu Spreads, Colorado Orders Weekly Testing Of Milk Supply
Meanwhile, health officials are advising Americans to be aware of the seasonal spreads of hantavirus, West Nile virus, and dengue fever. Elsewhere, walnuts sent to food bank warehouses in Texas and Arizona have been recalled over listeria concerns.
Senators Press To Update Disabilities Law To Include All Tech Accessibility
Proposed bill aims to shore up Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to include websites, software, and other infrastructure that was left out when the law was amended in 1998.
Steward Health Care Has Secured Bids For All Its For-Sale Mass. Hospitals
Gov. Maura Healey, a Democrat, told reporters she’d received qualified bids for all the hospitals in Massachusetts that the beleaguered for-profit chain was trying to sell during its bankruptcy proceedings. Plus: reports of staffing challenges and broken equipment at Steward.
Health Officials Confirm Wind-Down Of Federal HIV Meds Program
The Ready, Set, PrEP program will cease new enrollments at the end of July — its mission has been to distribute free HIV medication to the uninsured. Also in the news, FEMA is set to expand call center staff so it can cut down call waiting times.
To Mobilize Voters, Harris Turns The Conversation Back To Abortion Rights
The issue, a cornerstone of the 2024 Democratic campaign, has been on the back burner while the party debated whether President Joe Biden should stay in the race. Other abortion news is from Iowa, Louisiana, and Florida.