Latest KFF Health News Stories
Federal Judge Blocks California’s Public Place Gun Ban
The law would have banned firearms in most public places was blocked by U.S. District Judge Cormac Carney over Second Amendment violations. The New York Times, meanwhile, covers how school kids in Cranston, Rhode Island, blithely ignore gunfire from a nearby police range.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads For The Holiday Break
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on cancer, migraines, aging, CAR-T therapy, and more. Happy holidays!
Editorial writers discuss OTC decongestants, supervised drug sites, abortion and more.
‘Plenty’ Of Unfinished Health Care Work Awaits Lawmakers In New Year
Congress left for the holiday recess without settling a large number of top health care priorities like appropriations and expiring funding, hospital and doctor payments, and more. News outlets also look back at how key health matters fared in 2023.
Lawmakers Plan To Fund Pediatric Training Program Via Appropriations
Republicans had been trying tie the reauthorization of the Children’s Hospitals Graduate Medical Education Program to efforts to limit gender-affirming care for transgender kids. That effort is set to fail. And lawmakers are now looking to fund the program via appropriations.
There May Not Actually Be A ‘Paxlovid Rebound,’ US Researchers Say
People with weakened immune systems appear to have a greater probability of “viral rebound” of covid, no matter if they receive drugs or not, scientists at the CDC and FDA suggested.
CMS Reveals Medicare Appeal Process For Incorrect Hospital Observation Stays
The process is aimed at Medicare beneficiaries who feel hospitals inappropriately classified stays as observations instead of admissions, resolving a 12 year-old class action lawsuit. Also in the news: cancer patients facing frightening delays in treatment approvals.
As Adderall Shortage Continues, ADHD Drug Prices Soar
The ongoing ADHD drug shortage has placed financial pressure on families, forcing some to scrimp to pay for treatment. Meanwhile, Stat reports on how pharma companies keep drug prices high and competition low.
FDA Says Unauthorized Fat-Dissolving Shots Can Be Dangerous
Spas and clinics have been offering unauthorized versions of fat-dissolving injections, and people have been reporting problems like scarring and infections, the FDA says. The FDA also issued a warning about counterfeit versions of Novo’s smash-hit drug Ozempic.
More Teens Are Turning To Hormonal Implants As Birth Control
The jump over a decade from 0.6% to 13% sexually active teen girls getting a hormonal implant is credited by some experts for the decline in teen pregnancies. Other reproductive health news reports on infertility, midwives, and other maternal care developments.
Closure Of St. Louis Nursing Home Came After Medicaid Payment Loss
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the home had just lost a special $1 million annual Medicaid payment before its abrupt shuttering left families and staff scrambling. Also, Indiana’s Medicaid program has turned out to be around $1 billion more expensive than previously expected.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations. Note to readers: KFF Health News’ First Edition will not be published Dec. 25 through Jan. 1. Look for it again in your inbox on Tuesday, Jan. 2. Happy holidays from all of us to all of you!
Editorial writers discuss obesity drugs, health care and medical ethics.
FTC Calls For Broad Steps To Better Protect Online Privacy For Kids
The Federal Trade Commission proposed revisions on Wednesday to the 1998 law that currently governs children’s online privacy. Among the suggested changes would be a requirement for online services and app makers to turn off ad tracking and prohibit use of personal data for kids under 13.
Young International Traveler Arrived In Colorado Infected With Measles
The adolescent patient arrived in Denver International Airport Dec. 13 after traveling to several other countries, and is in isolation. Officials are working to notify people who may have been exposed. It is the first confirmed case of measles in a Colorado resident since Jan. 2019.
Research Finds Those Long Weekend Lie-Ins May Help Your Heart
A new study published in the journal Sleep Health suggests that improved cardiovascular health could come from getting extra sleep during the weekend. Also in the news: worries over the use of artificial intelligence in health care; long covid’s impact on heart rate; and more.
Spotlight Falls On Obscure FDA Program Shunting Money Into Costly Drugs
A little-known FDA voucher program, designed to incentivize companies to make drugs for uncommon illnesses, is being leveraged to cash in by big pharma names. Meanwhile, Medicare is warning some of the largest U.S. hospital chains for not being transparent on pricing.
New York’s Program For Monitoring People With Serious Mental Illness Has Broken Down Repeatedly
A New York Times investigation finds that people under Kendra’s Law orders — a program that monitors New Yorkers with serious mental illness who are also at risk of committing violence — have been accused of committing more than 380 beatings, stabbings, subway shovings, and other violent acts in the past 5 years.
Research Roundup: HPV Vaccination; Paxlovid; Pneumonia; Noma
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Obamacare Marketplaces On Track To Break Sign-Up Records
HHS says that more than 19 million have signed up so far at healthcare.gov for a 2024 health insurance plan —exceeding last year’s mark of 16.3 million at this point in the enrollment season. Another 4 million people have enrolled through a state marketplace.