Latest KFF Health News Stories
Judge’s Order Supports Challenger To Moderna In Covid Shot Patent Suit
Arbutus’s case against Moderna was given some support by U.S. District Judge Mitchell Goldberg, who interpreted parts of the patents in Arbutus’ favor. Also in the news: a Chinese drugmaker’s Ozempic biosimilar; Walmart Health’s health center expansion; and more.
North Carolina Looks Set To Finally Launch Special Medicaid Plans In July
Specialized Medicaid plans for people with complex needs have had multiple delays, North Carolina Health News notes, but now they appear ready to go live in July. Meanwhile, the New York Times looks at questions of Medicaid expansion in red state holdouts.
Biden, Sanders Share A Podium To Promote Low Drug Prices Effort
President Joe Biden was joined by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I) at the White House Wednesday to speak about the problem of high prescription drug costs, with an emphasis on asthma inhalers — including mention of how pharmacy benefit managers can stymie efforts to get lower-price drugs to patients.
Worries Over Litigation Forcing Alabama Hospital To Halt IVF Treatment
Mobile Infirmary said it won’t offer IVF treatments past the end of 2024 because of the precarious legal situation for IVF caused by a controversial state Supreme Court ruling. Also in the news: abortion care in Florida after the six week ban.
Human Bird Flu Case Provides CDC With Information On Virus
The CDC released details Wednesday from its analysis of samples taken from the person in Texas who contracted bird flu from exposure to an infected animal. CDC Director Mandy Cohen tells NPR that the agency will monitor potential virus changes but for now there is no instance of human-to-human transmission.
Congress’ Budget Chaos Disrupts Rural Providers, Community Health Centers
The annual budget battle in Washington, D.C. seems to get draw out longer every year, and that uncertainty has a real-world toll on health care practices and professional, Modern Healthcare reports. Other impact from government health policies relates to tensions between hospitals and insurers, and telehealth access.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Too Many Americans Can’t Afford Health Insurance; Why Is Lyme Disease So Ignored?
Editorial writers tackle health insurance, Lyme disease, Dengue fever, and more.
Experts: Opioid Use Disorder Sufferers Dehumanized By Health Workers
Politico quotes the deputy assistant administrator for the Drug Enforcement Administration saying that oftentimes, medical professionals call sufferers “them” and say they don’t want to deliver treatment. Separately, NIDA’s director has positive hopes for beating the opioid crisis.
Researchers Find ‘Acid Wall’ Clue To Cancer’s Immune System Defenses
The discovery may open new avenues for drug development targeting cancer cells. Also in the news: local “decolonization” efforts and multidrug-resistant pathogens; heart failure and e-cigarettes; left-handedness; and more.
Bavarian Nordic Launches Mpox Vaccine As Commercial Product
The vaccine can now be made available outside of designated clinics that were administering doses from the U.S. government’s supply. U.S. mpox cases are racing ahead of last year’s levels. Also in the news: Genmab, Providence, Aegis, and more.
Potentially More Than 1 Million People In Colorado Have Medical Debt
The Colorado Sun and KFF Health News take a closer look at the scale, impact, and causes of medical debt in Colorado. In other news from around the country, worker heat protections in California, polychlorinated biphenyls at North Carolina State University, and more.
A Focus On Women’s Shrinking Abortion Options In Florida After Ruling
NPR notes that over 80,000 Floridians seek abortions in a typical year, about 1 in 12 across the country…but after a ruling that allowed a six week ban to go into effect, most similar abortion-seekers this year will have to find a different solution elsewhere.
CMS Responds To Pharma Offers In Medicare Drug Price Negotiations
Negotiations over the prices of 10 prescriptions drugs proceed to the next phase, as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services say they have rejected initial price offers from manufacturers, Politico reports. Each company will have three chances to meet with CMS during the negotiations, with final prices to be announced on Aug. 1.
White House Plan To Fix Drug Supplies Leverages Hospital Medicare Payments
The plan will base Medicare pay to hospitals on how well the facilities’ business practices aim at avoiding drug shortages. Meanwhile, supplies of Eli Lilly’s diabetes drug Mounjaro are in short supply through April, and ADHD meds shortages drag on.
Survey Shines Light On Health Care Discrimination Against LGBTQ+ People
Members of the LGBTQ+ community are twice as likely to experience discrimination in health care, a survey found. Separately, the Department of Justice is suing Utah and its corrections department for discriminating against a trans woman.
Biden Administration Health Officials Brief Lawmakers On ‘Low’ Bird Flu Risk
Federal health agencies are preparing for possible new cases of human infections from the avian flu virus spreading in dairy and egg farms in the U.S. FDA, CDC, and other officials briefed congressional leaders and committees on the outlook during a call Tuesday.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Oregon Just Recriminalized Possession Of Small Drug Amounts
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, a Democrat, signed a bill ending a drug decriminalization experiment that was limited by challenges. The new bill does establish a way for treatment to be offered as an alternative to criminal penalties.
HHS: Teaching Hospitals Must Get Consent To Conduct Invasive Exams
HHS reinforced to teaching hospitals and medical schools that the law requires patients to provide informed consent before “sensitive examinations” like pelvic exams can take place. Other Biden administration news reports on cybersecurity, the menthol ban, and more.