Latest KFF Health News Stories
CDC Panel Advises A Fresh Round Of Covid Shots For Those Over 65
Also in the news: A study examines long covid “brain fog” and the potential impact on IQ; scientists look at the medical challenges children hospitalized with covid continue to face; an uptick in post-covid prescriptions for depression and anxiety; covid’s impact on health care quality; and more.
Report Finds US Abortion Rate Is The Same As During Roe Era
About the same number of abortions are happening each month now as before the reversal of Roe v. Wade, a new report by the Society of Family Planning says. The report also shows abortions via telehealth have been rising, with pills mailed to patients after online consultations.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers tackle cannabis, measles, heart disease, and more.
Read recent commentaries about pharmaceutical issues.
Analysts: Weight Loss Drugs Could Lift US Economy By A Trillion Dollars
Goldman Sachs analysts suggested in a report that because poor health hurts the economy, better health outcomes thanks to drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic could thus boost economic output. Separately, a new study shows Americans are doubtful the drugs can fix the obesity epidemic.
Stroke, Heart Attack Risks Rise For Any Marijuana Use: Study
Consuming marijuana via smoking, vaping, or edibles was linked to higher risks even if the person had no previous conditions and didn’t use tobacco, a new study found. Meanwhile, the FDA may roll out a new “healthy” logo to promote food products that really are healthy.
Family Applied For Exemption, But Insulin Pump Came With Huge Bill
Read recent pharmaceutical developments in KFF Health News’ Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Antitrust Regulators Say PBMs Have Failed To Disclose Requested Info
An inquiry by the FTC into the role of pharmacy benefit managers on prescription drug costs has been stymied so far as the companies involved have not produced requested documents, Stat reports. In related news, advocates for PBM reform continue to push for measures that look to be dropped from the government spending package.
UnitedHealth Under Antitrust Investigation By DOJ: Report
The Wall Street Journal reports that the Justice Department has opened an antitrust probe into health care giant United Health. Investigators have been questioning competitors about the the company’s doctor group acquisitions.
Florida Surgeon General Criticized Over Measles Outbreak Handling
Dr. Joseph Ladapo “politicizes public health and peddles risky freedom of choice rhetoric” said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Florida Democrat, criticizing the handling of the measles outbreak by her state’s surgeon general. Meanwhile, another case was reported at a Florida elementary school.
California Seized Record Fentanyl: More Than Enough To Kill Everyone On Earth
California confiscated a 62,000 pounds of fentanyl at its ports of entry in 2023 — “enough to potentially kill the global population nearly twice over,” Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said Tuesday — and up from 28,000 pounds seized the year before.
Indiana Ban On Gender Care For Trans Minors Can Take Effect: Ruling
A federal appeals court ruled that Indiana can indeed block young transgender people from accessing hormone and puberty blocker treatments, which form part of gender care, undoing a lower court decision that had blocked the law. Also in the news: pain and suffering jury award caps.
Senate Democrats Plan Speedy Action In Defense Of IVF Treatments
“I warned that red states would come for IVF — and now they have,” said Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a Democrat. The group is pushing Republican colleagues to not block a bill that would preserve access to IVF technology. Axios also reports that President Joe Biden’s next moves on IVF may be limited.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers tackle the IVF ruling and palliative psychiatry,
Health Industry Consolidation In The Spotlight In Change Healthcare Hack
A report in Stat says experts are concerned that health industry consolidation exposes more risks for cyberattacks, with Change Healthcare’s systems downed for many days. A ransomware gang is now suspected to be behind the attack, which has left some pharmacies unable to fill prescriptions.
$1 Billion Gift Covers All Tuition At Albert Einstein College Of Medicine
The gargantuan donation comes from Ruth Gottesman, a former faculty member and board chair. The Wall Street Journal notes that tuition fees alone at the college cost $60,000 a year. Also in the news, Steward Health Care, UnitedHealth, Elevance, Centene, VillageMD, and more.
Global Endocrinologists Society To Review Gender Care Guidelines
The Endocrine Society said its move was mere routine, and not prompted by politics — with high-profile efforts by some U.S. states to limit gender-affirming care. The process is set to take three years. Meanwhile, the VA says it won’t cover gender care for vets until it reviews PACT Act implications.
San Francisco Will Try Drug Dealers For Murder
The legal strategy is an attempt to lower the death toll from fentanyl overdoses and is already being used by several California counties. Also in the news from California, an effort to steer public health decisions based on wastewater analysis for drugs; STD in-home tests; and more.