Latest KFF Health News Stories
FDA’s Role In Medical Device Approval In Spotlight Amid AI Revolution
Artificial intelligence technology developments like those from Nvidia, Johnson & Johnson, and app-makers aiming to help the mental health crisis are in the news, as the FDA’s role in approving new AI-enabled medical devices and software is discussed.
Biden Signs $1.2T Spending Bill That Includes $117B For HHS
Axios reports that the funding bill “keeps health programs near status quo.” Also in the news: the 14th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, the Health Care Cybersecurity Improvement Act of 2024, a new antibody to protect against covid, and more.
Study Says Flu’s Neurological Impact May Be Worse Than Covid’s
Researchers said adults hospitalized for covid were less likely to experience new neurological problems than patients with influenza, but they noted their research didn’t look at long covid. Separately, bivalent covid shots were not linked with higher risk of stroke.
Measles Cases In US Have Already Surpassed Last Year’s Total: CDC Data
The CDC says that 64 cases have been confirmed in the U.S. through the first 3 months of the year. The total for 2023 was 58 cases. Other stories report on flu, pollen, Down syndrome, and other public health news.
Eli Lilly Warns Insulin Products May Be Out Of Stock Through Start Of April
The drugmaker blames what it calls a “brief delay in manufacturing,” which is hitting Humalog and insulin lispro injections. Meanwhile, UnitedHealth is set to process $14 billion in backlogged medical claims after its cyberattack.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial workers tackle tuberculosis testing, ACA, medical devices, and more.
HHS, Other Health Programs Get Flat Funding In Latest Spending Deal
Lawmakers rush to pass the spending bill that was finalized and released late last night. Funding allocated for federal health agencies and measures remains largely the same as last year’s appropriations. News outlets detail who gets how much, and who lost out.
Majority Of House Republicans Backed Budget Proposal Threatening IVF
HuffPost notes it’s a “stunning turnaround” after weeks of vocally supporting IVF access in the wake of the controversial Alabama law. Meanwhile, Catholics are reportedly still often choosing IVF despite church opposition.
Medicare To Cover Wegovy For Patients At Risk Of Heart Disease, Stroke
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said Thursday that the pricey weight-loss drug Wegovy will be covered for Medicare beneficiaries who have an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, or other serious cardiovascular problems. Other news related to such medications reports on teens’ use, and a lawsuit alleging harm.
Idaho Inmate Recaptured After Escape, Shooting Of Hospital Transport Staff
During an ambush two corrections officers were shot as a prisoner, who had injured himself in prison, escaped custody from an unscheduled medical transport. Also in the news, an L.A. hospital is found at fault for a power outage that forced patient evacuations.
Appeals Court Rules In Favor Of Cigarette Packages’ Graphic Warnings
The tobacco industry had challenged, on First Amendment grounds, a federal ruling mandating graphic images depicting the effects of smoking, but an appeals court disagreed. Meanwhile, a new study links belly fat and smoking.
City Of Chicago Sues Glock For Machine Gun-Like Device For Handguns
The handgun modification, which can be bought cheaply or even 3D-printed, can convert a popular pistol into a machine gun-like weapon, the city’s lawsuit says. Other news is from Florida, Rhode Island, California, and elsewhere.
FCC Moves Toward Routing 988 Mental Health Calls Based On Location
A new rule requires calls to the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline to be routed based on physical location rather than a caller’s area code, to take mobile phone use into account. Separately, researchers found that previously incarcerated people have double the risk for death by suicide.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on the solar eclipse, asbestos, incest, gambling, and more.
Surgeons Achieve First Pig Kidney Transplant Into Live Patient
The groundbreaking xenotransplant happened in Boston and the organ was from a genetically modified pig: so far signs are said to be “promising.” Earlier successful pig kidney transplant trials involved brain-dead human patients.
Record 108,000 Americans Died From Overdoses In 2022: CDC
Meanwhile, Bloomberg notes 270,000 overdose deaths from fentanyl are playing a part in the presidential race. Separately, scientists say using GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy to treat addiction is showing “exciting” progress.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Is Chemo Always Essential In Treating Cancer?; Florida Is Fumbling The Measles Outbreak
Editorial writers discuss cancer treatment, the measles outbreak in Florida, the baby formula crisis, and more.
First Neuralink Patient Appears Online, Mind-Controlling His Computer
The patient, a 29 year-old diving accident victim, appeared on a livestream showing off the implant in action. Also in the news, a study found people with darker skin are more likely to have overestimated readings from pulse oximeters.