Latest KFF Health News Stories
CDC Will Lift 5-Day Covid Isolation Recommendations
This is the first loosening of CDC isolation recommendations since 2021 for people who test positive for covid. Meanwhile, two new studies say that millions of people are having to deal with long covid, including children and pregnant people. And a new variant, BA.2.87.1, is spreading.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Oversight Of Health Transactions Is Ramping Up As States Monitor Buyouts
Stat covers increased state scrutiny over industry transactions as more provider groups seek buyers: Oregon is said to be at the forefront of the oversight push. Separately, the FTC is reportedly eager to make “Big Physician” smaller by examining private equity’s role in medical industry consolidations.
Generics Drugmaker Aurobindo Cuts Production Over Safety Problems
A key facility in India has seen some of its production cut after U.S. inspectors found manufacturing problems — highlighting drug-quality issues even during an ongoing medicines shortage. Also in the news: Weight loss drug manufacturers are trying to tackle supply issues.
More Than Half Of Mental Health Visits Remain Virtual Post-Pandemic
Also in mental health news: Harvard researchers recruit social media influencers to combat misinformation; data on the effects of ketamine on depression among veterans; and more.
Heat Waves, Wildfires Make It Riskier For Today’s Kids To Play Outside: Study
So much for “fresh air”: The effects of climate change are even impacting how dangerous it is for children to play outside, a new study finds. Also in the news, “concerning” levels of plastics found in General Mills food products; a complex debate over when brain death is said to occur; and more.
Micro-Hospitals Arrive In Pennsylvania To Fill Coverage Gaps
The Philadelphia Inquirer reports on how Southeastern Pennsylvania is getting its first micro-hospitals — small facilities with ER departments and a tiny inpatient offering — to help fill coverage gaps in some areas. Meanwhile, House and Senate committees OK’d a push to create rural emergency hospitals.
Editorial writers discuss weight-loss drugs, aggression disorders, health care workers, and more.
Moderna’s RSV Shot May Not Protect For As Long As Competitors’ Vaccines
An analysis of the company’s late-stage trial data flags a concern that the efficacy of Moderna’s RSV shot may decline more quickly than those of Pfizer or GSK. In a different study, data from Spain shows that nirsevimab is helping to avoid hospitalizations in infants.
FBI Investigating Alleged $2 Billion In Fraudulent Medicare Charges
The Washington Post reports that fraudulent insurance claims were submitted to Medicare by seven companies, according to health care groups that have analyzed billing data. And sources say they’ve been approached by FBI investigators.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: New Blood Test Detects Concussion In Minutes; CTE Is A Real Threat To Football Players
Editorial writers discuss concussion testing, CTE in football, President Joe Biden’s age, cancer research, and more.
In Missouri, GOP-Led Abortion Rights Initiative Withdrawn To Avoid Confusion
The end of this effort allows a competing, more sweeping constitutional amendment to make November’s ballot, AP notes. Meanwhile, USA Today reports that cities are being targeted with local abortion bans in the aftermath of the end of Roe v. Wade.
Experts: Removing Phenylephrine Drugs Would Upset Wider Supply Chain
Though phenylephrine has been found ineffective as a decongestant, if the FDA pulled drugs from pharmacy shelves, it would disrupt a wave of supply chain problems, experts warn. In other news, CARB-X is funding development of a rapid test for gonorrhea.
Liver Transplant System Is Less Accessible To Native Americans: Study
Native Americans are less likely than other racial groups to earn a place on the liver transplant list, according to an analysis of transplant data by the Markup and The Washington Post. Separately, scrutiny of rising private equity roles in home health care; a cyberattack at Lurie Children’s Hospital; a lawsuit for nurse meal breaks in San Francisco; and more.
More Known About Aggressive Fungus In Deadly Meningitis Outbreak
In a report in NEJM, researchers detailed how the fungus attacked the base of the brains of patients exposed at medical clinics in Mexico. Twelve people died in the outbreak last year.
Cost Forces A Majority Of Californians To Delay Or Avoid Medical Care
Meanwhile, the Covered California sign-up window is set to close at midnight tonight. In other health news from across the U.S., Virginia Democrats push to expand state-funded health insurance to undocumented children; a bill would allow Florida hospital districts to convert to nonprofits; and more.
Study Finds High-Dose Naloxone Didn’t Reduce Overdose Deaths
The new higher-dose nasal spray did not save more lives than the regular dose, and it drove up side effects. Separately, reports say opioid overdoses are rising among teens, but inpatient care remains rare. Also in the news: CDC data show how teens use drugs to combat stress.
Biden Pushes Back On Special Counsel Report Questioning His Cognition
“My memory’s fine,” President Joe Biden said at a press conference Thursday night, strongly defending his age and cognitive abilities in response to a special counsel report on the president’s handling of classified documents. The document cited several examples when Biden couldn’t recall key dates.
Pharmaceutical Execs Grilled By Senators About High US Drug Prices
The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, led by Sen. Bernie Sanders, held a hearing Thursday on the cost of prescriptions drugs. The CEOs for Bristol Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson, and Merck faced questions on pricing practices and why medicines cost more in the U.S. than other countries.