Latest KFF Health News Stories
Lawmakers Reach Spending Deal Needed To Avert Partial Shutdown
With a Jan. 19 deadline looming when funding for many federal programs would expire, congressional negotiators announced a $1.7 trillion agreement. If passed in time, the deal would preserve money for veterans assistance, food and drug safety services, and other health programs, while canceling unspent pandemic aid.
Supreme Court Allows Idaho Abortion Ban In Emergencies To Stand
The Supreme Court will hear the case over Idaho’s abortion law that bans the procedure even for certain medical emergency situations. In the meantime, the court will allow the measure to be enforced.
Covid Is Rising, With JN.1 Playing A Role. But Flu Is Up More Dramatically.
New data from the CDC show that respiratory viruses soared during the holiday period. Thirty-eight states have high or very high infection rates. And although variant JN.1 is now dominating new covid infections, the CDC says flu is rising more dramatically than covid.
In Wake Of Contaminated Medicines Scandal, India Tightens Standards
News outlets reported a string of overseas deaths linked to drugs manufactured in India since 2022, and now Indian pharmaceutical firms have to meet new manufacturing standards just set by the government. Meanwhile, GSK is replacing Flovent brand asthma inhalers with an authorized generic.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Baby Monitor Study Finds Link Between Seizures And Toddler Deaths
Researchers used home security systems, including baby monitor video, as part of a study into unexplained toddler deaths. They found a link between seizures and sudden death. Meanwhile, another study shows how prevalent microplastics are in our food despite health risks.
Critics Blast FDA Plan For RADARS Drug Misuse Surveillance Program
The Research, Abuse, Diversion, and Addiction-Related Surveillance system was an in-house system at Purdue Pharma and later sold to the Denver Health and Hospital Authority. Advocacy groups are pushing back against the FDA’s use of RADARS over its ties to the pharma industry.
Bill To Ban Gender Care For Minors Advances In New Hampshire
The state bill would ban doctors from providing gender-affirming surgery for minors and from referring patients to out-of-state alternatives. Also in the news: wheelchair repair legislation passed in Massachusetts; warnings of Shigella among the homeless in Portland, Oregon; and more.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on abortion, anorexia, aspirin, birth policy in China, and more.
Editorial writers delve into insurance company denials, the ACA and more.
Study: Nearly 17,000 Deaths Linked To Hydroxycholoroquine During Early Covid
A new analysis attributes the excess deaths in six countries to the anti-malarial drug, with 12,000 of those deaths in the U.S. At that time in the covid pandemic, then-President Donald Trump said of the unproven treatment: “What do you have to lose? Take it.”
1 Child Dead, 5 Injured In Iowa School Shooting; Motive Remains Unclear
The shooting occurred Thursday at a Perry, Iowa, high school. The 17-year-old shooter, Dylan Butler, was armed with two firearms. Butler’s motives are reportedly unknown at this point, but social media debate has arisen over the possibility that he was bullied.
No Link Found Between Wegovy, Ozempic, And Increased Suicidal Thoughts
Instead, a new large study finds a lower risk of new and recurrent suicidal thoughts in patients taking semaglutide, the active ingredient in popular weight-loss drugs Wegovy and Ozempic. News outlets also report on the drugs’ impact on the insurance and pharmaceutical landscape.
New Hampshire Republicans Block Permanent Medicaid Expansion Law
The now-rejected legislation would have permanently continued coverage for nearly 57,000 low-income residents. Meanwhile, in Maryland, Medicaid expansions have now included more gender-affirming care options. A glimmer of hope is also seen for Medicaid expansion in Georgia.
Elevance To Buy Infusion Service Provider Paragon Healthcare
Axios reports that Elevance Health has struck a $1 billion deal to by Paragon Healthcare, a company that specializes in infusible and injectable therapies. Other health industry news reports on lawsuits, ambulance workers, hacking, and more.
After Years Of Delay, Golden Gate Bridge’s Suicide Nets Are Finished
The 1.7-mile-long bridge now has a continuous physical barrier as part of an effort to reduce suicide attempts made from the iconic structure. Meanwhile, in Texas, a $50 million mental health treatment center is approved, and Houston schools brace for the loss of covid mental health funding.
FDA Will Allow Florida To Import Medications From Canada: Report
It’s a major policy shift and overrides fierce objections from the pharmaceutical industry, The New York Times reported. In other news, Axios reports that, ironically, generic drug shortages across the country are partly being driven by prices that may be too low.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers weigh in on these topics and others.
Research Roundup: Brain Tumors; UTIs In Children; Human Sexuality
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.