Latest KFF Health News Stories
Justices Refuse To Wade Into Indiana’s Fight Over Transgender Bathrooms
The decision lets stand a lower court ruling allowing transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity. Meanwhile, in California, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom says he’ll veto a measure to ban youth tackle football.
Topical Antifungal Use May Lead To Uptick In Resistant Skin Infections
Read recent pharmaceutical developments in KFF Health News’ Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Government Funding Stopgap Plan Puts Some Health Care Measures On Pause
Although Congress has worked to reach a tentative government funding deal that would direct money to key health programs into March, Modern Healthcare says funding for some critical health issues are left in an uncertain state.
People With Health Insurance Now Own The Most ‘Bad Debt’ To Hospitals
It’s a major shift: The Guardian wrote that in 2018, just 11% of hospitals’ bad debt came from insured “self-pay” accounts. By 2022, the proportion who didn’t pay their bills jumped to 58% of all hospitals’ bad debt. Other news is on health insurance premiums, drug pricing, and more.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
The Peak Of The Covid-Flu-RSV Tripledemic May Have Passed
Key indicators for respiratory illnesses have declined for the first time in weeks, CDC data show. The Colorado Sun, meanwhile, reports the timing of its local covid hospitalization peak is “fascinating”—it came at almost exactly the same time as the past two years’ seasonal peaks.
Your Funky New Office ‘Wellness’ Push May Not Be Achieving Much: Study
New research shows that even though “wellness” employee mental health services are a billion-dollar-scale industry, they may be of little benefit to employees who participate in them. Also in the news; CarePoint Health and Hudson Regional Hospital plan to form a new system.
‘Black Box’ For Recording Every Action In An OR Is Tested In Massachusetts
The Boston Globe reports on an operating room-watching, AI-powered system that is meant to gain insights that can boost quality of procedures and performance, though it remains controversial. The Apple Watch ban, experimental Alzheimer’s treatments, and more are also in the news.
Study Finds Link Between Chronic Ear Infections And Delayed Speech
A study out of the University of Florida finds that kids who had several ear infections before age 3 had a smaller vocabulary and had difficulty matching similar-sounding words. Other health and wellness news is on organ donation, eye disease in older age, snow shoveling safety tips, and more.
Viewpoints: Lack Of Childcare Is Making Parents Sick; How Much Plastic Are You Drinking?
Editorial writers discuss parental anxieties, nanoplastics, women’s health, and more.
Lawmakers Rush To Pass Stopgap Funding Bill Before Shutdown Deadline
Congressional leaders unveiled the measure over the weekend that would keep the federal government operating through March. The measure faces opposition among some Republicans and must pass before Friday’s deadline to avert a partial shutdown.
NIH Director Taking Slow Approach To Invoking March-In Drug Patent Rights
NIH’s new director, Monica Bertagnolli, spoke to Stat about the challenges of requiring pharmaceutical companies to charge a reasonable price for drugs created with the help of federal funds—a policy move that President Joe Biden has pressed.
US Should Ease Restrictions On Pot, Federal Scientists Recommend
A newly released scientific review sheds light for the first time on the thinking of federal health officials who are pondering a momentous change. Also, a study found that using cannabis doesn’t lead to using opioids.
As ACA Enrollment Window Closes, Florida Leads In Sign-Ups
A record number — about 20 million — signed up for ACA coverage. Over 4 million enrollees are in Florida. Also in Florida, the House began to move on its plans to boost the number of physicians and expand health care access. Meanwhile, data show cancer care improves in Medicaid expansion states.
Fewer People Using Tobacco Globally, Despite Big Tobacco’s Huffs And Puffs
News outlets report on dramatically tumbling tobacco use over a generation, though “Big Tobacco” is working hard to reverse the trend, including trying to influence global health policies, the WHO says. Also in the news, a tobacco ban advances in Vermont; nicotine pouches are a growing trend; and more.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
New York Governor Launches Expanded Mental Health Initiatives
Gov. Kathy Hochul is, CBS News says, “doubling down” on her pledge to tackle mental health in the state — including with 1,000 more beds toward in-patient capacity. Meanwhile, in Florida, the Senate is set to pass a broad health care plan that includes efforts to boost the number of doctors.
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 mental health, “clown cardio,” padel, and more.
Editorial writers tackle abortion rights, microplastics, prescription drugs and more.
Ohio Won’t Indict Woman Who Miscarried A Nonviable Fetus
Brittany Watts, 34, was arrested after suffering a miscarriage in her bathroom and trying to flush the remains down the toilet. She had previously visited a hospital several times, where doctors ruled the fetus was not viable. On one trip, she waited for eight hours as an ethics board determined what to do, The New York Times wrote.