Latest KFF Health News Stories
After $1B Donation, Johns Hopkins Medical School Is Now Free For Most
Billionaire Mike Bloomberg, who earned a degree in engineering from Johns Hopkins in 1964, offered the gift in an attempt to ease the nation’s “serious” shortage of doctors. Free tuition begins this fall for any med student whose family earns less than $300,000 a year.
Credit Ratings Downgraded For Dozens Of Hospitals And Health Systems
Although fewer organizations saw a dip this year compared to 2023, the ratings shine a light on the financial stresses of a challenging economy. Also in the news: gun violence, niche software providers, AI standards for health care, and more.
Officials Eye Poultry Markets As Origin Of H5N1 In San Francisco Wastewater
Additional bird flu virus particles also were detected in the wastewater in the California cities of Palo Alto and Richmond. Meanwhile, in Colorado, Democratic Gov. Jared Polis has declared a disaster for an egg-laying facility in Weld County after almost 1.8 million infected chickens had to be put down.
Sackler Family Members May Face Lawsuit From Purdue Pharma Creditors
The Gordian Knot that is the legal case surrounding Purdue Pharma’s role in the opioid crisis got an extra twist Monday when creditors asked a bankruptcy court for permission to sue the company’s owners. Meanwhile, baby formula maker Abbott faces a trial over its preterm baby formula.
An Inmate Died During Extreme Heat Inside California Women’s Prison
Advocates with the California Coalition for Women Prisoners blame extreme conditions inside the prison for the inmate’s death. Meanwhile, intense heat is suspected to have played a role in four deaths in Oregon over the weekend. Experts note that heat health risks linger even after temperatures drop.
New GOP Platform Barely Mentions Abortion
Heading into the Republication National Convention, the party stripped down its stated desires, but not all are happy with the softened stance. Separately, at the state level, abortion-ban fallout and battles continue in Florida and Texas.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Florida ERs See Jump In Covid Cases, Nearing Last Winter’s Peaks
CBS News reports that Florida’s weekly average of emergency room patients with covid ranks among the highest of any state during this summer’s surge. Other covid updates are on the KP.3 variant, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, nursing home vaccination rates, and more.
Human Plague Case In Colorado: Warnings Include Looking After Pets
No details about the infected person have been reported. Fox News notes that plague is endemic among ground squirrels and rodents and that pets can be a vector. Other news is on measles, bird flu, and malaria.
Rule Requiring Faster Reporting Of Hacks Is Resisted By Health Industry
Axios says the health industry’s reasoning for pushing back against a new Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency rule is that it may actually hinder their responses during a crisis.
Record-Breaking Heat Wave Sears West, Prompts Warnings For 10% Of US
The heat wave is showing no signs of giving up, and, over the weekend, it caused deaths in the West, sent many to hospitals, and prompted excessive heat warnings for about 1 in 10 people in the country. Meanwhile, West Nile virus may be circulating more than usual.
Obesity-Related Cancers May Be Less Likely For Ozempic Patients
People who took GLP-1s for Type 2 diabetes were found to have lower risk for obesity-related cancers than people who were treated with insulin, a study found. Meanwhile researchers suggest that experiencing bright lights at night could lift your diabetes risk.
Viewpoints: Our Primary Care System Needs A Boost Before Next Pandemic; ‘Heartbeat’ Bills Cause Harm
Editorial writers tackle primary care, infant mortality post-Roe, Alzheimer’s, and more.
Insurers Bilked $50B From Medicare For Dubious Diagnoses, Review Finds
In its analysis of the Medicare Advantage program, The Wall Street Journal looked at details of “doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions and other care.” Separately, a Stat review has found that more than two dozen Medicare Advantage insurers now qualify for big taxpayer-funded bonuses.
Citing ‘Personal Autonomy,’ Kansas High Court Affirms Right To Abortion
Providers may perform dilation and extraction procedure as allowed under the state’s constitution, the court ruled. Meanwhile, a ballot measure to enshrine abortion rights in Arkansas is gaining momentum after groups supporting it collected enough signatures to make the November ballot.
Conservatives Lash Out At Trump Over Possible Change To Abortion Platform
The Washington Post reported that the behind-the-scenes disagreement over the Republican National Committee’s platform has become so tense in recent weeks that some social conservative leaders have issued public warnings of a coming split within Donald Trump’s coalition.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
CDC Reports Fourth US Dairy Worker Bird Flu Infection; First in Colorado
The CDC said Wednesday that a fourth person has been infected with bird flu in the U.S. this year. The person, who works on a dairy farm in Colorado, experienced eye inflammation, and recovered after treatment. The other three cases, in Texas and Michigan, were mild and linked to dairy farms as well. The CDC said in a statement that it continues to regard the ongoing bird flu outbreak in dairy cattle as a low risk to the general public.
Opinion writers tackle these topics and others.
Biden Teams Up With Sanders In Battle To Lower Weight Loss Drug Prices
Read recent pharmaceutical developments in KFF Health News’ Prescription Drug Watch roundup.