Latest KFF Health News Stories
Emerging Covid Variant Is No More Severe Than Its Predecessor, CDC Says
Two variants — LB.1 and KP.3 — are tied to this summer’s surge, officials say. Also: As the summer covid surge accelerates, North Carolina lawmakers are considering whether to override the governor’s veto of a bill that addressed face masks.
4 Months After Cyberattack, VA Grapples With Paying Providers
The attack hit a third-party company that manages some processes for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Officials say they’re still working to clear a backlog of payments to pharmacies and other providers. Also in the news: AI use by Medicare Advantage insurers.
People Who’ve Lost Weight Via Ozempic Lead Plastic Surgery Surge
Bloomberg reports a boom in plastic surgery procedures to remove excess skin from people who’ve successfully lost a lot of weight thanks to drugs like Ozempic. Meanwhile, another weight-loss drug, Saxenda, was found to reduce bone density in patients in a study.
Children’s Health, Pandemic Readiness Measures Scrapped From Calif. Ballot
In a deal with initiatives’ backers, officials agreed to tackle those policy issues in the Legislature. Other news out of California focuses on sex education, vape recall, medical debt relief, and more.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers tackle abortion rights, long covid, U.S. health insurance, and more.
Supreme Court First: Deciding Whether Minors Will Have Transgender Rights
The court also is weighing in on disability bias, antitrust, the Feres doctrine, and religious covid-vaccine exemptions.
Texas Infant Deaths Increased Nearly 13% In Wake Of Strict Abortion Law
In the rest of the U.S., infant mortality rates climbed just 2% over the same period, an analysis shows. Among other news: Republican anti-abortion ballot initiatives are falling short; Democrats are aiming to repeat success at the polls with abortion-rights candidates; and more.
Bill Would Stop Real Estate Investment Trusts From Owning Hospitals In Mass.
In the wake of the Steward Health Care System collapse, state lawmakers included a provision in a health care oversight bill that would ban hospitals leasing their sites from REITs — a first-of-its-kind crackdown in the U.S. Also in the news: Hartford HealthCare, Oscar, Centene, and more.
Health Providers Must Allow EHR Access Or Face Consequences: HHS
A final rule from the Health and Human Services Department aims at discouraging “information blocking,” where providers bar authorized users from electronic health records. Separately, inconsistencies in EHR symptom data fields are highlighted.
Minnesota City Starts Chlorinating Water To Stem Legionnaires’ Outbreak
Officials have not found the cause of the outbreak, but they know it is linked to the city’s water system. In other news, USDA epidemiologists found that Michigan poultry infected with the H5N1 bird flu virus likely got it from dairy cows.
Novo Nordisk To Build Second US Factory To Meet Ozempic Demand
As the company faces supply and cost criticisms, Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk A/S says it will spend $4.1 billion to build a manufacturing plant in Clayton, North Carolina, to manufacture the popular drugs Ozempic and Wegovy.
Surgeon General: Gun Violence Is A Public Health Crisis
“The safety and well-being of our children and future generations are at stake,” Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said in an advisory note that also called for a national “commitment” to stop gun violence. Separately, 7 states show progress against the youth mental health crisis.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Covid Cases Climbing Across Country As New Variant Is Poised To Dominate
Western states are nearing a “high” level of infection with the summer surge starting earlier this year. Meanwhile, as bird flu continues its spread, farmers are urged to step up measures to protect their workers and herds.
Editorial writers discuss these issues and more.
ACA’s Free Preventive Services Mandate Stands, Appeals Court Rules
The lawsuit was brought by two Christian-owned Texas businesses opposed to covering the HIV-prevention drug. That portion of the case — specifically a panel’s authority — has been sent back to a lower court for review.
Texas Updates Abortion Guidelines But Adds Little Clarity Over Exceptions
The Texas Medical Board loosened some paperwork requirements for physicians. Plus: Data show Texas is averaging five abortions a month now.
On 2nd Anniversary Of Dobbs Ruling, Not Much Has Improved For Doctors
Physicians say they’ve developed workflows to help them navigate confusing state laws. Still, they are regularly forced to turn away pregnant patients in need. Meanwhile, learning how to perform an abortion is increasingly tough: Some doctors travel hundreds of miles to Illinois for training.
Anti-Tobacco Critics: FDA’s Menthol Vape Approval ‘Blow To Public Health’
The products, intended as less-harmful alternative to cigarettes, were authorized by the FDA, drawing criticism from pediatricians and anti-tobacco groups. Separately, the Washington Post reports that the tobacco industry is using Black activists to battle menthol tobacco bans.