Latest KFF Health News Stories
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.
HHS Finalizes Tech Rule To Increase AI Transparency In Health IT Software
Vendors that want to certify their AI-enabled health IT products through HHS’ Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology now must disclose how their algorithm was designed, developed, and trained.
Viewpoints: Banning Mifepristone Undermines FDA Authority; Abortion Ban Exemptions Are A Farce
Editorial writers delve into abortion rights, diabetes, obesity and long covid.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Sanofi Ends Deal With Maze For Rare Disease Drug After FTC Monopoly Suit
Sanofi terminated its $750 million deal with Maze Therapeutics to develop and license an experimental drug for Pompe disease. The move came hours after the FTC filed an antitrust lawsuit against the partnership.
Eisai’s Alzheimer’s Drug To Launch In Japan For 25% Less Than US Price
Leqembi is set to be available from Dec. 20, with intravenous treatment expected to cost about $20,500 per patient yearly, compared to $26,000-plus in the U.S. Also in Japan, officials reported the country’s first fatality from mpox.
Different Takes: Abortion Exemptions Are Not Working In Texas
Opinion writers tackle the failure of abortion exemptions in Texas.
Perspectives: Scripts Should Be Allowed Across State Lines; SUPPORT Act Must Be Reauthorized
Read recent commentaries about pharmaceutical issues.
Editorial writers discuss mental health, prenatal care, the cost of health care and more.
New Combination Antibiotic On The Horizon; Early Drug Therapy May Halt HIV Progression In Babies
Read recent pharmaceutical developments in KFF Health News’ Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
HHS’ TEFCA Is Now Operational With 5 EHR Vendors Able To Exchange Data
The Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA) has been in the works since 2016 and is seen as a major building block in efforts to achieving national health data interoperability.
Toxin Exposure Found In Nearly Half Of Veterans Screened So Far
Of the 5 million veterans screened so far by the Department of Veterans Affairs under the PACT Act, 2.1 million have been found to have been exposed to at least one toxic substance during their military service.
Spotlight Falls On All-Male Lawyers As Arizona High Court Considers Abortion
The Arizona Republic notes that as six justices from the state Supreme Court began to question attorneys, all four lawyers were men. Meanwhile in New Mexico, the Supreme Court examined whether to strike down local abortion restrictions.
Study: You Sent Your Kids Back To School Too Soon After They Had Covid
A new study shows 40% of children are still at risk for spreading a covid infection in the day after their symptoms have resolved — it also showed rapid tests were often negative in early covid infection, so aren’t reliable for excluding infection risks. Also in the news: Covid and flu are surging in places.
SmileDirectClub Customers Lose Support After Abrupt Shutdown
Axios reports on the problems facing people who’ve bought teeth-alignment systems from SmileDirectClub, which suddenly collapsed. Separately, Medicare Advantage beneficiaries filed a class-action suit against Humana over alleged use of an algorithm to cut off rehabilitation care payments.
Preventive Services Task Force Advises Counseling From Age 6 For Obese Kids
A recommendation from the government-backed USPSTF said the goal is promoting healthier eating and exercise habits: Research shows the impact of such early behavioral interventions. In other news, millennial women are facing a decline in well-being compared with previous generations.
North Carolina Extends Medicaid For Children For Another Year
North Carolina Health News says the state paused Medicaid unwinding for children for another year, earning praise from health experts. Also in the news: Federal officials investigate Legionella bacteria at a building in Detroit; a Florida school was fined for allowing a trans girl to play volleyball; and more.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Advocates Say Texas Gun Suicide Data Show New Laws Are Needed
Easy access to guns is a problem in Texas, say gun safety and mental health advocates. CDC data show the number of Texans who took their life with a gun last year was at a level not seen since 1999. Other reports say rising suicide among older men is worrying: It’s a group hard to reach with support.
Portland Officials Consider Public Use Ban To Battle Drugs, Overdoses
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said that state and city officials are considering rolling back some of the nation’s most wide-ranging drug decriminalization effort, because Portland was troubled and needed reviving, the New York Times says. Also in the news; pollution permitting; free naloxone kits; more.