Latest KFF Health News Stories
Read recent pharmaceutical developments in KFF Health News’ Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Instagram, Facebook To Begin Filtering Content For Teens’ Safety
Meta says it removes or limits recommendations of certain types of posts for all users — such as nudity and the sale of drugs. It will now restrict teenagers from even coming across much of this content, including when it’s posted by a friend, NPR reports.
HHS Narrows Rule Allowing Doctors’ ‘Conscience’ Care Denials Of Abortions
A Trump-era policy that broadened options for providers to object to delivering medical services such as abortions on religious grounds has now been mostly rescinded. Also, the Biden administration blocked a company selling data on patients’ medical visits, with abortion care particularly in mind.
Covid Tests Now Take Longer To Show You’re Positive
Rapid tests used to be able to show you were positive for covid only one or two days after symptoms showed up, but reports say mutations in the virus now mean it can take up to a week for tests to show two lines. Meanwhile, data show the U.S. is experiencing a big covid wave.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Minnesota Governor Open To Idea Of Constitutional Abortion Rights Push
The state is seeing a “dramatic surge” in out-of-state patients from places with restrictive laws visiting to get abortions, CBS News says. Meanwhile, in Tennessee, more women are joining a lawsuit challenging the state’s broad abortion ban. Also: The Pope has said he opposes surrogacy.
Rep. Cori Bush Demands Investigation Into St. Louis Nursing Home Closure
The abrupt closure of the 320-bed Northview Village Nursing Home facility last month triggered issues for residents and their families. In other news from across the states, two more measles cases in Philadelphia; the Supreme Court rejects a challenge to California’s flavored tobacco ban; and more.
Viewpoints: Measles Outbreak Due To Anti-Vax Parents; Reauthorize The SUPPORT Act To Curb Overdoses
Editorial writers tackle these health care issues and more.
American Red Cross Warns Of Emergency Blood Supply Shortage
The American Red Cross said it was experiencing the lowest number of blood donors in 20 years, with hospitals demanding blood products faster than the organization can replenish supplies. Also in the news: Bayer to expand in U.S., despite blood thinner fails; the “better” ApoB cholesterol test; and more.
Congressional Spending Bill Faces Continued Opposition From Far Right
House Speaker Mike Johnson is again trying to wrangle the most conservative members of his caucus as the clock ticks down on a first spending deal deadline to fund parts of the government. Some on the Senate side are already floating the idea of another short-term patch.
Respiratory Illness At ‘High’ Or ‘Very High’ Levels Across Most Of US: CDC
Of the 38 states plus New York City that are experiencing elevated levels of illnesses like RSV and covid, 21 are at the “very high” level, the CDC warned. The San Francisco Chronicle, meanwhile, reports that analysis of wastewater data is showing an alarming spike in Bay Area covid infections.
Stopped Weight Loss Drugs? You May Eat More Calories Than Before
A survey from Deutsche Bank found that when patients stop taking drugs such as Wegovy or Ozempic, they eat more — in some cases, more than they did prior to treatment. Also in the news: the effect of weight loss drugs on alcohol cravings.
Sanders, Democrats To Investigate Asthma Inhaler Prices
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) joined a group of Senate Democrats to say that they are looking into the high cost of asthma inhalers: The group wrote to CEOs of four of the biggest manufacturers. Meanwhile, GSK said Tuesday it would buy asthma drug-focused Aiolos Bio for $1 billion.
Human Error In ICUs Has Led To Patient Harm In 23% Of Cases: Study
A new study finds that delayed diagnoses, misdiagnoses and other such human errors made in intensive care units have hurt patients more often than previously estimated. More health industry news reports on Medicare Advantage, private investments, cancer treatments, and more.
You’re Drinking Far More Nanoplastics From Bottled Water Than Previously Thought
A new study finds that bottled water contains up to 10 to 100 times more pieces of nanoparticles — microscopic plastics that must be detected with the help of a laser — than was previously estimated. An average liter of such water contains around 240,000 nanoplastics.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Study Shines Spotlight On TB Outbreak From Contaminated Bone Graft
Bone allografts contaminated with tuberculosis are the subject of the new study. The donated tissue caused two deaths. Also in the news: CVS Health predicts Aetna will enroll many more Medicare Advantage beneficiaries than it had predicted; Marshfield Clinic and Essentia Health called off a merger; and more.
When Unhealthy Sugary Drinks Are Taxed More, Sales Fall
A new study published Friday in the journal JAMA Health Forum shows the benefits of applying soda taxes to unhealthy sugary drinks: Sales fell in five cities in the study, with benefits lasting over time. Separately, the FDA has found contaminated applesauce pouches also contained chromium.
Florida Republican Files Proposal To Let Younger People Buy Rifles
The effort would lower the minimum age for buying long guns in Florida from 21 to 18 and would potentially reverse part of a law that passed after the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. In California, a law banning concealed firearms in “sensitive places” was again blocked.
Viewpoints: Maybe Our Cancer Fears Are Overblown; Are Health And Fitness Trackers Working?
Editorial writers tackle “cancerphobia,” fitness trackers, obstetric fistulas and more.