Latest KFF Health News Stories
White House Moves On High-Priced Drugs By Targeting Pharma Patents
The Biden administration is expected to assert Thursday that NIH has march-in rights to seize drugmakers’ patents to medicines that were developed with federal funding. If employed, the move could provide the White House with another tool to try to lower prescription drug costs.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers tackle mental illness, EMS, weight loss drugs, and more.
Perspectives: What’s Causing So Many Drug Shortages?; Smart-Bomb Cancer Drugs Prove Effective
Read recent commentaries about pharmaceutical issues.
Air Force To Review Cancers Among Nuclear Missile Workers
The Air Force is already reviewing whether service members who worked with nuclear missiles have had higher-than-normal rates of cancer, but is now expanding this review. Also in the news: a U.S. Army veteran is suing the government, alleging a VA computer system delayed a cancer diagnosis.
Joint Commission To Offer Certification Program For Patient Data Privacy
The goal is to protect patient privacy and also create standards for secondary use of health care data which has had identifiers stripped from it. Also in the news: the HHS cyberattack that took the department offline in 2020 as covid hit was worse than originally thought.
Fla. Health Workers Protest Bounced Pay Checks, Insurance Coverage
Citing a “pattern of disrespect,” health workers at a Plantation, Fla. health system are speaking out about repeated issues with their paychecks bouncing. They also say that insurance payments are withdrawn from their pay, but that their insurance companies tell them their policies have lapsed. A Connecticut long-term care provider is also accused of being months behind on worker pay.
Pfizer Says It’s Leaving BIO, In Major Blow To Pharmaceutical Trade Group
Stat says the drugmaker’s plan to leave the Biotechnology Innovation Organization is the latest in a growing trend of pharma companies leaving trade groups. Meanwhile, BIO is reported to have selected its new CEO: John Crowley, a longtime biotech executive.
Doctors Find Indications Of Fetal Fentanyl Exposure Syndrome
At least 10 infants have been found to have distinctive physical birth defects after being born to mothers who said they’d used drugs including fentanyl while pregnant, pointing to a potential new syndrome being identified. A possible monthly overdose prevention treatment is also in the news.
Experts Worry Over Tech Glitches As Florida’s Medicaid Portal Launches
The state is in the middle of its Medicaid unwinding process, which has thrown a spotlight on its decision to revamp the technology running its MyAccess website. Meanwhile, in California, reports say new HIV cases in San Francisco are declining, except among the Latino population.
Read recent pharmaceutical developments in KFF Health News’ Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Tuberville Lifts Most Military Holds Amid Protest Over Abortion Policy
Sen. Tommy Tuberville, a Republican from Alabama, is ending his months-long blockade on all but 11 military leadership promotions in protest of the Pentagon’s abortion policies.
FDA Tells Court It Should Allow Graphic Images As Cigarette Warnings
The Biden administration is pressing a federal appeals court to allow a new regulation requiring graphic cigarette package health warnings to take effect — tobacco companies had challenged the rule. Also, strong lobbying efforts from critics are delaying the ban on menthol cigarettes.
Consumer Drug Prices Likely Won’t Fall, Despite CVS’ Simpler-Pricing Plan
Drug pricing experts, Stat reports, are dubious that the company’s plan to simplify its drug pricing methods will lower consumer costs and instead may merely pad its profits. Axios, though, suggests that the move may point to a bigger industry movement toward more transparent pricing.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
US Sewage, Water Systems Under Attack By Iranian Cyberhackers
Authorities are aware of a campaign of hacks targeting multiple drinking water and sewage systems across the country, Bloomberg reports, with efforts underway to limit the impact. Also in the news: the global climate summit and a fight against tropical disease; polio; e-cigarettes; and more.
Editorial writers discuss sickle cell disease, seasonal sickness and addiction.
CMS Issues Medicaid Unwinding Enforcement Rule, Including Penalties
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services says that states that don’t comply with federal policies as they proceed with unwinding people from Medicaid rolls are at risk of reduced federal funding. The rule takes effect Wednesday, and includes helping states with the process.
Supreme Court Appears Divided Over Purdue Opioid Settlement
The complex Purdue Pharma bankruptcy case is the focus of many news outlets, with the Supreme Court’s position appearing split on the matter of protecting the Sackler family. The impact of the case on payouts to victims, and future bankruptcy suits are under the legal spotlight.
Arizona Judge Recuses Himself From Case Impacting Future Of Abortion
The Arizona Supreme Court judge who once accused Planned Parenthood of committing genocide has stepped away from an upcoming case on abortion law. Separately, Democrats see the case as pivotal in the state’s Senate race. Other abortion news is from California, Ohio, Wyoming, and elsewhere.