Latest KFF Health News Stories
San Francisco Voters Back Measure To Drug-Test Welfare Recipients
The public wants to see progress in tackling the city’s drug crisis, the San Francisco Chronicle says. Also in the news, two Uvalde law enforcement officials criticized for poor response to the school shooting won their GOP primaries.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Calif. Lawmaker Proposes Longer Mental Hospital Stays For Violent Offenders
A California lawmaker released a bill that would allow the state to provide longer treatment to people with mental illness who commit violent crimes. Other state health news is reported from New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Illinois.
Deep Brain Stimulation Helps Find Four Disorders’ Sources
DBS helped scientists pinpoint dysfunctions in the brain contributing to Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, obsessive compulsive disorder, and Tourette’s syndrome. Also in the news: Lynch syndrome, diet and atrial fibrillation, more.
Pennsylvania Care Home Shuts Down Abruptly In Staffing Crisis
Delayed paychecks drove Jefferson Hills Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center staff members to walk off the job last week, and the care home has now shut. Separately, Kaiser hospitals will lay off “dozens” in the Bay Area.
Editorial writers tackle hospital price disclosure, Florida’s measles outbreak, reproductive health care, and more.
White House To Announce Federal Health Care Costs Task Force
The Biden administration’s next “corporate greed” target is set to be the high cost of health care. Meanwhile, in the Medicare price negotiation process, all of the affected drugmakers are trying to bargain with counteroffers.
HHS Urged To Step In After Hack At Change Healthcare
The American Hospital Association and American Medical Association say federal help is needed as the cyberattack at Change Healthcare disrupts care. The AHA also blasted UnitedHealth’s financial help offer.
Opill Maker Starts Shipping First OTC Birth Control Pill In US
Perrigo says it’s started to send supplies of the pill to major retailers and pharmacies. One month’s supply costs about $20. Also in the news: using weight-loss drugs before pregnancy, IVF, and more.
Nebraska’s Highest Court To Hear Suits Against Abortion, Trans Care Bans
The Planned Parenthood of the Heartland v. Hilgers case will go before Nebraska’s Supreme Court today, challenging the 12-week abortion and minors’ gender care ban. Abortion and Super Tuesday is also in the news.
CDC Director Says Updated Covid Shots Will Come This Fall
Researchers will likely wait until May to pick which strains will be the target for this year’s covid shot. Meanwhile, some long covid patients plan a protest against the CDC’s new covid guidance.
Feds Are Accused Of Downplaying Syphilis Crisis, Treatment Shortage
Physicians and public health experts say delays in getting treatment to pregnant women are preventing them from stopping the spread of syphilis to infants. Meanwhile, there’s progress in curbing syphilis infection after unprotected sex.
More Stick With Opioid Treatment When Covered By Insurance: Study
Other news stories related to the opioid crisis report on overdose prevention methods, the agony of withdrawal, settlement funds, and more.
Appeals Court Hears Appeal Over Obamacare’s Preventive Care Mandate
The Biden administration argued before the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Monday, urging the judges to reverse a lower court’s ruling that threatens the Affordable Care Act’s provision for no-cost cancer screenings and preventive care services. The Hill characterized the panel’s reception as “skeptical.”
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers tackle these topics and more.
In Wake Of Attack, Change Healthcare Offers Alternate System, Financial Help
The UnitedHealth subsidiary opened a temporary version of its Rx ePrescribing service for drugstores, hospital and nursing home pharmacies, and other providers impacted by the ransomware attack on the company, Modern Healthcare reports.
US Enters New Pandemic Phase, With CDC’s New Covid Rules In The Spotlight
Vox examines the controversy over the updated covid guidelines. Meanwhile, The Washington Post explains what you should do if you test positive.
CVS, Walgreens Will Dispense Abortion Pills In A Handful Of States
People seeking abortion medications will soon be able to go to some chain drugstore locations: CVS in Rhode Island and Massachusetts; and Walgreens in certain places in New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, California, and Illinois.
Growing Number Of Alternative Pharmacies Lack Costlier Generics
A report quoted in Stat says that although alternative pharmacies are popular, many of the more expensive generic drugs may be missing from their shelves and that prices vary. Also: CVS will pay a $1.5 million Ohio fine over understaffing.