Latest KFF Health News Stories
Hobbs Slams Lawmakers’ Reactions To Ban, Is ‘Confident’ Voters Will Have Say
Gov. Katie Hobbs called out Republican lawmakers who suddenly criticized the strict ban, noting they also celebrated the Dobbs decision that enabled it.
Wyoming’s Highest Court Won’t Take Up Challenge To Strict Abortion Ban
The state’s Supreme Court decided it won’t rule on abortion access, after Teton County District Judge Melissa Owens questioned the strict abortion bans on constitutional grounds. Meanwhile, Florida providers get ready for the state’s “catastrophic” six-week ban.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Is Marijuana Healthy Or Not?; Baby Olivia Video Is Medical Misinformation Aimed At Kids
Editorial writers discuss abortion, misinformation, and marijuana.
Illinois Officials Warn Residents About Risk Of Fake Botox Injections
According to the Illinois Public Health Department, the fake injections may have led to two people being hospitalized. Also in news from around the country: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs a bill ensuring skin cancer screenings for state employees, California aims to ban the weedkiller paraquat, and more.
Transgender Catholics Express Disappointment At Vatican Statement
AP reports that transgender Catholics are dismayed by a recent Vatican document that rejects the principles of being transgender and say it shows a lack of understanding. The White House also reacted, affirming President Joe Biden’s support for the trans community.
CDC: Human Risk From Bird Flu Is Small, But States Should Prepare
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged state health officials to get ready with plans to rapidly test and treat any farm workers if they test positive after cattle have been found with bird flu.
Lawmakers Press FTC To Examine Optum’s Acquisition Of Steward
Meanwhile, USC and Emory University’s credit ratings are threatened by struggling hospital systems. Also: a widening gap between city, country mortality in Arizona; a security review of Zuckerberg General Hospital in San Francisco; more.
Brain Implant Startup Synchron Ready For Large-Scale Human Trials
The startup, a rival to Elon Musk’s Neuralink system, will set up an online registry for patients interested in joining the medical trial. Also in the news: AI mammograms; tests for pancreatic cancer; and LupusChat, a support system for those suffering with lupus.
Google Searches For ‘Hurt’ Eyes Spiked After Solar Eclipse
The searches suggest some people were worried they’d damaged their vision by looking at the image of the sun during yesterday’s total eclipse event. Also in the news, wildfires and mental health, legal weed, and vape use in college.
Study Casts Doubt On Benefits Of Paying Off People’s Medical Debt
A New York Times report covers a study by some economists that says paying off people’s medical debt has little impact on their lives. Separately, health care costs are found to be driving up anxiety in millennials and Gen Z, another study finds.
Arizona’s Highest Court Set To Rule Today On Near-Total Abortion Ban
The Arizona Supreme Court is expected to decide an appeal that has called for reinstating a near-total abortion ban from 1864, nearly 60 years before Arizona’s statehood. Also in the news: religious exemptions for Indiana’s near-total abortion ban, how pregnancy ages you, and more.
Trump’s Abortion Position Upsets GOP Hardliners
Former President Donald Trump’s statement that abortion is a matter for states and “the people” to decide has not gone down well with some Republicans. Sen. Lindsey Graham’s criticism of his announcement spurred Trump to say hardliners like Graham were doing “disservice.”
Data Stolen From Change Healthcare Ransomed In Second Attack
News outlets report on what cybersecurity experts had warned may happen in the aftermath of the recent attack on Change Healthcare: an alliance between cybercriminals. The alleged second ransom effort centers on 4TB of personal data on Change patients, which a new group threatens to release.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers delve into parental anxiety, Medicaid, AI in hospitals, and more.
Analysis Finds Half Of Accelerated Approval Cancer Drugs Don’t Help
A study presented at an American Association for Cancer Research meeting showed that the drugs didn’t improve patient survival or quality of life, but some even went on to be converted to full approval by the FDA. Also in the news: a link between accelerated aging and cancer risks.
Kansas And Texas Are The Only 2 States Seeing Covid Infections Rise
Just these two states, the CDC says, have had increases — or likely increases — since March 30. Elsewhere across the country, respiratory viruses are continuing to fade. Exercise and long covid are also in the news.
Nuclear Medicine Safety Advisers Found To Have Conflicts Of Interest
Axios reports on a special inquiry into the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, finding there was no policy requiring conflicts of interest to be reported. The inquiry centered on how diagnostic radioactive injections can sometimes leak into surrounding tissue.
New England Journal Of Medicine Often Ignored Nazi Atrocities, Article Says
An article in the NEJM criticizes the journal itself for its weak reporting when the Nazis were rising in Germany and performing horrific medical experiments. Also in the news: a probe into liver transplants at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center.