Latest KFF Health News Stories
As Homelessness Spikes Post-Pandemic, Midsize Cities Try To Problem Solve
The Wall Street Journal looks at efforts in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where homelessness has increased 34% since the start of the pandemic. Other related news comes from the District of Columbia, Los Angeles, and Portland, Oregon.
Texas Medical Board Has Yet To Clarify Abortion Rules After Cox Legal Case
The Texas Tribune notes that even after the complex legal spat over a bid by Kate Cox to end her nonviable pregnancy, which included calls from the state Supreme Court for the Texas Medical Board to offer guidance, the board has yet to do so. Meanwhile, FactCheck.org calls out misleading online info about the high-profile case.
First Edition: December 21, 2023
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Federal Judge Dismisses Claim Autism And ADHD Are Linked To Tylenol
The plaintiffs didn’t have evidence to support their claims that Tylenol and generic acetaminophen use during pregnancy raises a child’s risks of the conditions, U.S. District Judge Denise Cote in Manhattan said. Also in the news: a possible longevity breakthrough in new menopause drugs.
Though More Need It, Housing Aid Levels Fall To Worrying Lows
The New York Times reports on safety net loopholes concerning housing aid: Though the number of eligible households for public housing, Section 8, and Housing Choice Vouchers are up by a quarter since 2004, those three federal programs serve 6% fewer households than they did then.
Viewpoints: Medicaid Unwinding Is Having Grave Effects; FDA Should Be Trusted As Medical Experts
Editorial writers tackle Medicaid unwinding, Mifepristone, alcohol use, and more.
Paxlovid Cuts Death Rates In Half When Taken On Day Zero Or 1
Read recent pharmaceutical developments in KFF Health News’ Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Perspectives: Ketamine Can Be Both Safe And Dangerous
Read recent commentaries about pharmaceutical issues.
Medicare To Bolster Mental Health Services With New Types Of Providers
Starting Jan. 1, as many as 400,000 marriage and family therapists as well as mental health counselors will be qualified to get Medicare payment for their services. Medicare wants enough to sign up in order to increase mental health care access among aging Americans. Other Medicare news is on hospital prices and hospice payments.
California Will Allow Cities To Turn Wastewater Into Drinking Water
Nothing will change overnight because most projects are years away from completion, the San Francisco Chronicle noted. But the “toilet to tap” process faces hurdles in getting the public to accept it. Water officials noted that the water, which will be given extra treatment, will likely be “better quality water than (many other) drinking water systems are pulling in now.”
Ohio Woman Who Miscarried Charged With Felony, Her Lawyer Says
Brittany Watts has been charged with felony abuse of a corpse, according to court records filed in Ohio’s Trumbull County. Watts miscarried, passing a nonviable fetus in her home toilet, in a case that’s getting national attention. Other state abortion news comes from Texas, Florida, and elsewhere.
Global Vaccine Program COVAX Will End Dec. 31; Gave Out Nearly 2B Doses
The program is estimated to have averted at least 2.7 million deaths, the World Health Organization said Tuesday. In other covid news, subvariant JN.1 is on the move, and fast.
Florida Nursing Student Numbers Rise, But Qualified Applicants Drop: Report
A health care education crisis in the making is showing up in a report into students enrolling in nursing programs in Florida. Though more are enrolling, colleges and universities are noting a drop in qualified applicants. Also in the news: layoffs at Kaiser Permanente; artificial intelligence in health care; and more.
LA County Pauses Its Plan To Expand Criteria For Forced Medical Detention
The push to allow more people to be detained against their will by police, crisis teams, and mental health providers is being paused for a confounding reason: The size of the ongoing public crises means that if Senate Bill 43 is implemented, the influx of patients could swamp providers.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Another Person Has Died In Cantaloupe Salmonella Outbreak, CDC Warns
The outbreak of over 300 cases of salmonella has been linked to tainted cantaloupe, with four fatalities. Meanwhile, food inspectors looking into applesauce pouches linked to child poisonings found contaminated cinnamon had lead levels 2,000 times higher than proposed limits.
Vice President To Go On National Tour In 2024 To Support Abortion Rights
Vice President Kamala Harris’ “Fight for Reproductive Freedoms” tour will begin in Wisconsin on the 51st anniversary date of the original Roe v. Wade legal decision. Meanwhile, in Kentucky a woman who was suing for her abortion rights withdrew the case after learning her embryo no longer had cardiac activity.
‘High’ Covid Levels In US Fueled In Part By Omicron Subvariant JN.1
CDC data on infections and wastewater analysis indicate that much of the nation is already at “high” or “very high” covid levels just before the height of the holiday season. The fastest growing variant is JN.1, which could be responsible for half of cases by the end of the month.
Apple Stops Selling Some Smartwatches In Health Sensor Patent Fight
News outlets cover the surprising news that Apple’s latest smartwatches, launched only in September, will be withdrawn from sale temporarily. The tech giant is embroiled in a legal battle with a smaller company that patented pulse oximeter tech it says Apple is using in the watches.
White House Unveils Effort To Stop ‘Corporate Profiteers’ In Health Care
The Justice Department, Federal Trade Commission, and Health and Human Services Department will add officials to probe price-gouging in the health care industry. Meanwhile, a new Gallup analysis shows that Americans’ dissatisfaction with almost every part of the health system has grown.