Latest KFF Health News Stories
FDA Warns Makers Not To Sell Unapproved Animal Antibiotics
Concerned over rising drug-resistant superbugs, the FDA sent letters to nine companies, including e-commerce company Chewy, warning against selling or making unapproved antibiotics or antimicrobial drugs for animals. Separately, an insect study examined antimicrobial resistance passing via genes.
Study Finds ‘Hundreds’ Of Child Deaths From Playing With Guns Over 20 Years
New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that of the hundreds of child deaths from unintentional shootings over the past two decades, the vast majority happened due to guns being stored unlocked and loaded — many in a nightstand or on a bed.
In A First Since Covid, California’s Deaths From All Causes Are Close To Normal
The number of deaths from all causes is expected to drop beneath 300,000 for the first time since covid hit — close to pre-pandemic levels, the Mercury News reports. The decline is primarily caused by fewer covid deaths. Also in the news: the opioid crisis in California.
Philadelphia Set To Become First City To Make Medical Deportations Illegal
In a 14-to-1 vote Thursday, the Philadelphia City Council approved a bill that makes it unlawful for a hospital in the city to send a noncitizen to their home country without consent. Meanwhile, in Ohio, a bill to block doctors from giving gender care to trans youth is headed to the governor’s desk.
Health Companies Sign On To White House Parameters For AI Development
White House officials announced Tuesday that 28 health care companies — including CVS, Oscar, Curai, Devoted Health, Duke Health, Emory Healthcare, and WellSpan Health — are joining the Biden administration’s voluntary commitments that aim for safer development of artificial intelligence.
Lead-Tainted Applesauce May Have Been Deliberate Act
Stressing that the FDA is still investigating, Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods Jim Jones explained that the applesauce pouches linked to scores of sick children may have been intentionally contaminated. Also in the news: Product recalls more than doubled between 2018 and 2022.
Kansas Governor Offers Medicaid Expansion Plan With Work Requirement
In an effort to court Republican support, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly is floating a Medicaid expansion plan that includes a work requirement, as well as funding sources from hospitals. In South Dakota, lawmakers are also considering a resolution that would add work requirements to its Medicaid expansion.
Mixed MRNA Vaccine Treatment Shows Long-Term Promise Against Melanoma
The experimental messenger RNA shot, when paired with Merck’s Keytruda treatment, halved the chance of recurrence or death from melanoma after three years. CBS News explains how this mRNA tech is custom-built for each patient based on an analysis of their tumors.
Not Just ‘Long Covid’: Researchers Find ‘Long Flu’ Can Cause Lingering Harm
A published study offers evidence that patients who contract the influenza virus can experience persistent symptoms or long-lasting health effects. Other infectious disease news reports on RSV, covid, mpox, and more.
Biden Says New Caps Will Save Seniors Money On Prescriptions Next Year
President Joe Biden touted savings that Medicare beneficiaries are expected to see next year on some prescriptions drugs. As part of the Inflation Reduction Act, starting Jan. 1 pharmaceutical companies can be penalized for raising prices faster than inflation.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Research Roundup: C. Diff; Long Covid; Semaglutide; Daydreaming
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
WHO Advisory Group Says Keep Using Single-Variant Shots Against Covid
A WHO technical advisory group suggested, in the light of current genetic changes in the covid virus, vaccination programs should stay with the current monovalent covid shot that targets the XBB.1.5 variant. Separately, Pfizer’s share price fell after it said fewer covid shots would be sold next year.
Poison Centers Report 1,500% Spike In Calls Related To Weight-Loss Drug
So far this year, America’s poison control centers reported nearly 3,000 calls involving semaglutide — the medication sold as Ozempic and Wegovy. Callers report symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and constipation and some have been hospitalized for accidental overdoses.
Americans Have More Physical, Mental Health Woes Now Than Before Covid
New Gallup data show more Americans had diabetes diagnoses, and other health issues, and also lower confidence than compared to before the pandemic. Meanwhile, a new report from actuary firm Milliman shows about 2 in 3 Americans with mental health conditions couldn’t access treatment.
Scientists May Have Found Cause Of Severe Morning Sickness
The discovery suggests that a single hormone — GDF15 — plays a role in causing hyperemesis gravidum, meaning a possible route to new treatments has been uncovered. Also in the news: more lead poisoning from applesauce pouches; the Air Force embraces smartwatches for health; and more.
New Yorkers’ Credit Reports Will No Longer Reflect Medical Debt
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a law that prohibits credit agencies from collecting information about medical debt and using it in credit reports. Other state health news relates to transgender health, kratom, reproductive health, and other issues.
Americans Spent $4.5 Trillion On Health Care In 2022
News outlets cover a new federal analysis of health expenditures that have been bouncing around during the pandemic but now stand at nearly $13,500 annually per person. Axios suggests the rise in spending in 2022 shows a return to pre-pandemic patterns of spending growth. But other data show fewer people have gone uninsured over the last three years.
House Bill Lets Schools Serve Whole Milk, Reversing 2012 Low-Fat Push
The “Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act,” which would allow the National School Lunch Program to serve whole milk, passed 330-99 in the House on Wednesday. In 2012, then-First Lady Michelle Obama moved to only allow low-fat variations to be offered to school kids.
Supreme Court Will Hear Case Challenging Abortion Pill Access
After a panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit earlier suggested that access to mifepristone should be curbed, despite the FDA’s regulations for the pill, the Biden administration asked the justices to intervene. Mifepristone combined with misoprostol is currently the most common medicated abortion protocol in the U.S.