Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: Ohio Is Next State To Make Big Decision On Abortion Rights; Does NyQuil Work Anymore?
Editorial writers tackle abortion rights, decongestants, insurance, and more.
Infamous Tuskegee Syphilis Study Has Been Digitized For Public Use
The Washington Post calls the study one of “medical history’s bleakest chapters.” Meanwhile, data show emergency room visits for children injured by firearms doubled during the pandemic. Other research linked daily cannabis use to a higher risk of severe heart disease, similar to smokers.
UN And Aid Agencies Decry Israel’s Airstrike On Gaza Ambulance
Officials and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society say wounded people were being evacuated in a convoy of ambulances. Israel’s military claimed the ambulance hit was carrying Hamas militants. Separately, Turkey and Egypt agreed for 1,000 cancer patients and other injured civilians from Gaza to receive treatment in Turkey.
Medicare Requiring Hospitals To Make Pricing Information Easier To Find
New Medicare regulations aim to make hospital prices more transparent to patients by improving compliance and transparency with existing requirements and with plans to publicly assess facilities. Other Medicare news relates to home health care, outpatient reimbursements, and more.
Voters Set To Decide On Key Abortion Matters In Ohio, Virginia, Kentucky
Abortion rights are in the hands of voters in different ways in three states Tuesday. In Ohio, Republicans are accused of using taxpayer funds to promote false anti-abortion claims ahead of the state constitutional amendment vote.
Two GOP Lawmakers Say FDA Partly To Blame For Ongoing Drug Shortage
The two lawmakers allege the FDA is “failing to ensure” important medications remain on pharmacy shelves. In other news, Pfizer cuts 200 jobs in Michigan; details on how the Cleveland Clinic’s drone med delivery program will work; the shrinking American cigarette market; and more.
Big Health Plan Formularies Do Provide ‘Fair Access’ To Treatments: Study
An investigation into how some of the largest health plans’ formularies provide access to 18 treatments for some serious diseases showed positive results, but did note that transparent coverage info was sometimes lacking. Meanwhile, this year’s ACA enrollment, freshly open, has an easier sign-up.
Data Show 10 Million Were Disenrolled From Medicaid Over 6 Months
The latest tracker data on Medicaid enrollment show that over 10 million people have lost Medicaid coverage since the redetermining of eligibility began in April (notably, this is about 1 in 34 of the population, or around 3%.) Among other news, the cost of the health care minimum wage in California, and more.
Hospital-Acquired Infection Rates Fall Back To Pre-Pandemic Levels
A new report finds that preventable infections acquired in a hospital — which worryingly rose during the covid pandemic — have decreased. News outlets report on regional ratings.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers delve into mental health post-pandemic, celebrity endorsements, veterans, and more.
As Weight-Loss Drugs Help People Drop Pounds, Their Makers Make Bank
Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are reporting booming sales from their diabetes treatments that have found use as weight-loss drugs — Novo’s quarterly revenues were up nearly 30% on year-ago figures. Among other news: a new antibiotic for gonorrhea; radiation therapy; and more.
More Than 4 In 10 Adults Don’t Know They Have High Cholesterol
Over 40% of U.S. adults aren’t aware their cholesterol levels are too high and thus aren’t receiving treatment, a new study found. Meanwhile, as daylight saving time comes to an end, doctors are warning that seasonal affective disorder may start to grip more people.
TB Exposure Warning Issued For California Casino’s Staff, Customers
A Pacheco casino in Contra Costa County is the source of possible public exposure to tuberculosis over a five-year window, news reports say. Meanwhile, a second dengue case has also been confirmed in California, this time involving a patient from Long Beach.
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 mental health, diabetes, the opioid crisis, anorexia, and more.
Senate Proposes Tackling Risky Fake Pills From Mexican Pharmacies
If a Senate appropriations proposal is approved, Secretary of State Antony Blinken would have 90 days to draft a report that would reveal, for the first time, key data on overdoses from fake pills sourced in Mexico. Also in the news: drug overdoses in schools; fentanyl deaths in Kansas City; more.
Indiana Supreme Court Reprimands AG For Remarks On Abortion Doctor
The court found Attorney General Todd Rokita violated lawyer professional conduct rules when he called Dr. Caitlin Bernard, the physician who performed an abortion on a 10 year-old Ohio rape victim, an “abortion activist acting as a doctor.” Rokita then doubled-down on his criticism of Bernard.
Congressional Panel Suggests How To Lower Ambulance Costs
The committee’s suggestions include banning surprise bills, limiting patient cost-shares, and making bills easier to understand. Meanwhile, in Minnesota, a new law means hospitals have to check if a patient is eligible for financial help before referring medical debt to collections.
Authorities Say 17 Poisoning Deaths In Pennsylvania Linked To Former Nurse
A former nursing home worker is reportedly facing more murder charges after being initially accused of killing two patients with doses of insulin. Separately, the American Nurses Association told Congress this week that violence prevention laws could help tackle the nursing staff shortage.
Fewer High Schoolers Vape, But More Middle Schoolers Use Tobacco
A CDC report released Thursday said 10% of high school students said they had used electronic cigarettes in the past month, down from 14% last year. The report also noted that about 90% of students who vaped said they used flavored products. Among middle school students, the rate of tobacco users increased from 4.5% to 6.6%.