Latest KFF Health News Stories
Texas Supreme Court To Hear Challenge To Youth Gender Care Ban
In other news, Ohio may be set to follow after Alabama used nitrogen gas in an execution for the first time. Also: HCA North Florida Hospital has extended its surgery shutdown after an instrument sterilization problem; Colorado’s aid-in-dying rules may change; and more.
Viewpoints: Rise In Colon Cancer In Younger Generation Baffles Doctors; Are MAID Rules Too Lenient?
Editorial writers tackle colon cancer, doctor-assisted euthanasia, child tax credits, and more.
Analysts Expect Medicare To Press Industry For Steep Drug Price Cuts
The Medicare program’s first ever price negotiations are set to begin, with experts expecting pressure for deep cuts on 10 high-cost medicines. Meanwhile, in Europe regulators are promoting their successes in regulating big pharma.
Using Alcohol, Drugs As A Teen Linked To Psychiatric Distress
New research published Monday in JAMA Pediatrics found that teens who use cannabis, alcohol, and nicotine are more likely to have underlying mental symptoms. Separate research shows that college students suffering discrimination are more likely to report mental health challenges.
Closed Illinois Hospital Will Be Reopened By OSF Healthcare
The hospital in Peru, Illinois had been recently shuttered and will now open April 7, offering emergency services and a limited inpatient facility. Also in the news: Steward Health Care’s financial issues; ProMedica’s Paramount Health acquisition by Medical Mutual; and more.
Possible Shot Contamination Linked To Five Early Alzheimer’s Cases
Five people in the U.K. may have developed Alzheimer’s because of contaminated human growth hormone injections they received as children, a new study suggests. Meanwhile, reports say new Alzheimer’s drugs are bringing hope to some patients, but not equally.
First Amendment Case On Covid Misinfo Control Heads To Supreme Court
The lawsuit, which will be heard in March, centers on questions around the federal government’s role in requesting that tech giants suppress covid misinformation during the pandemic. Also, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra defended federal covid isolation guidelines that California has deviated from.
Mifepristone Supreme Court Case Will Be Heard On March 26
The Supreme Court has scheduled arguments for March 26 in a closely watched case over access to mifepristone, one of two drugs used most commonly in the U.S. for a medication abortion. Issues of FDA authority are also at stake in the lawsuit.
Neuralink’s First Human Brain Implant Trial Gets Underway
The patient received the first human Neuralink system Sunday and is said to be recovering well. It received FDA permission to begin human trials back in May, and the company began recruiting patients in the fall.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
CDC Study Links Pet Bearded Dragons To Salmonella Cases
Some of the exotic pets were likely obtained from the same breeder in Southeast Asia, The New York Times reports. In other news: Navy shipyard workers’ exposure to cancer-causing radioactive materials; rising freight train accidents; lead in Stanley cups; and more.
Viewpoints: What’s Driving The New Covid Vaccine Hesitancy?; Project 2025 Would Outlaw Mifepristone
Editorial writers discuss vaccine hesitancy, reproductive health care, telehealth, and more.
After Slashing Its Price, Novo Nordisk Discontinues Levemir Insulin In US
Last March, Novo reduced the list price of Levemir by 65%, but USA Today says that American diabetes patients who’ve benefited from this price drop (and other price caps) are set to be disappointed because the drug is being withdrawn from sale. Novo has not said it will do so in other countries.
Infectious-Disease Experts Say WHO’s Covid Guidelines Could Harm People
Health experts told CIDRAP that the new guidelines that are meant to protect health care workers and patients might actually put them at risk. For example, they said, the guidelines “suggest using symptoms to screen people” despite current knowledge about asymptomatic transmission. The guidelines also still adhere to “droplet dogma” instead of airborne spread, they said, and do not fully acknowledge that N95 respirators offer better protection than surgical masks.
Chicago-Based IMX Becomes First Health Care Futures Exchange
Trading is expected to begin in the first half of 2024, Crain’s Chicago Business reports. Meanwhile, Penn Medicine abandoned plans to purchase Tower Health’s Brandywine Hospital; the White House AI Council meets today; an AI-designed drug for inflammatory bowel disease enters trials; more.
Jury Hands Down $2.25 Billion Verdict In Bayer Roundup Cancer Case
Separately, health tech company Philips will not sell new sleep apnea devices in the U.S. as it works to comply with an FDA settlement. Also: The FDA approved Dupixent to treat younger children with allergic esophagus inflammation; the U.K. will ban disposable vapes; and more.
Texas Democrats Align On Abortion As They Battle To Unseat GOP’s Ted Cruz
Democratic challengers to Sen. Ted Cruz are trying to earn the support of organized labor advocates, with abortion, guns, and border issues central to their efforts, the Austin American-Statesman says. NPR also reports that House Democratic candidates are focusing on abortion in their campaigns.
Texas AG Presses A Georgia Clinic For Medical Records Of Texas Trans Youth
This is the second time Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is requesting private records of Texas transgender children who received gender care in another state, the Texas Tribune says. Also in the news: The VA hasn’t lived up to its gender care promises; religious trauma in LGBTQ+ Americans; and more.
After Years Of Silence On Opioid Crisis, US And China To Hold Talks This Week
The Washington Post says the meetings that begin Tuesday in Beijing are a critical step forward since November, when China opened lines of communication on the topic.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.