Latest KFF Health News Stories
Michigan Attorney General Warns Of Medical Brace Scamming Issue
The issue stems from seniors being offered medical supplies they don’t need, and then finding themselves stuck with the bill. Also in state health news: the Ozempic side effects lawsuit; CAR-T helping autoimmune patients; rising sales of antibiotics for food animals; and more.
Adventist, Blue Shield Contract Talks May Affect Many Californians
Contract negotiations between Adventist Health and Blue Shield of California fell through last week, and now the San Francisco Chronicle is warning thousands of Californians may have to pay out-of-network medical costs at their nearest hospital.
Cigna Abandons Merger Talks With Humana
Unenthusiastic stakeholders and a lack of progress in negotiations over price and other financial matters have led Cigna Group to give up on the idea of combining with Humana, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Access, Affordability Concerns Follow FDA OK Of Sickle Cell Gene Therapy
The FDA authorized on Friday a pair of gene therapies for sickle cell disease, one of which is the first to gain such approval using the CRISPR gene-editing system. News outlets report on costs and paths to patients for the treatments.
Supreme Court Weighs Hearing High-Stakes Abortion Pill Case
Supreme Court justices were expected to discuss on Friday whether to hear a case that would counter or uphold federal approval of the abortion pill mifepristone. If the court fails to take up the appeals, a lower court decision to limit the availability of the drug by mail would go into effect.
Minnesota’s First RSV Death Of The Season Was A 1-Year-Old
Amid rising RSV, Minnesota’s first death for this season was tragically young. Meanwhile, in California, Riverside County officials reported two flu-related deaths, and L.A. County reported one. Separately, researchers are making progress toward treating long covid symptoms.
CDC Issues Travel Warning After 3 Die From Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
The disease is spread by infected brown dog ticks. Other news is on a continuing outbreak of salmonella spread through cantaloupe, and chronic wasting disease.
Biden Demands Congress ‘Step Up’ To Deal With Gun Violence Epidemic
After the UNLV shooting, President Joe Biden on Friday stepped up his demands for action against gun violence. USA Today covers college professors calling the issue a “national menace.” Meanwhile, Wyoming Public Radio reports on how stigma prevents gun owners from seeking mental health help.
Editorial writers discuss the RSV vaccine, sickle cell treatment, long covid and more.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
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 cancer, phages, homelessness, mental health, and more.
Under Dark Shadow Of UNLV Shooting, Gun Opponents Urge Congress To Act
Anti-gun activists from Connecticut and elsewhere visited lawmakers on Capitol Hill this week to again push for gun reforms. Next Thursday, Dec. 14, marks the 11th anniversary of the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut, that left 26 people dead, most of them children.
Viewpoints: Hair Relaxers Have Hidden Health Dangers; How Do We Ensure AI In Health Care Is Ethical?
Editorial writers discuss formaldehyde in hair relaxers, artificial intelligence in health care, drug pricing, and more.
Census Bureau Shift Could Overhaul How Government Defines Disabilities
Some disability advocates warn that a proposed change in questions by the Census Bureau could artificially lower the number of people counted as living with disabilities in the U.S. and impact needed resources and benefits.
Draft Defense Bill Requires Review Of Troops Discharged Over Covid Vaccine
A measure included in the current draft of the annual defense bill would require the Department of Defense to consider reinstating military personnel who left after refusing to comply with the Pentagon’s covid vaccine mandate.
Senators Launch Bipartisan Inquiry Of Private Equity Ownership Of Hospitals
This is not the first investigation into the issue. But Stat reports that the Senate Budget Committee probe encompasses hospitals in Rhode Island — home state of committee chair Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat — as well as hospitals in California, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere.
Deadline Is Today: FDA Soon To Decide On Sickle Cell Treatment Using CRISPR
The treatment, called exa-cel, would be the first approved medicine in the U.S. to use the gene-editing tool to alter DNA. In other pharma news, an unusual surge in stock trading before Abbvie’s big announcement Wednesday has raised eyebrows.
Michigan Expands Medicaid Coverage To Community Health Workers
CHWs, as they’re known, are trained public health professionals. The new benefit goes into effect Jan. 1. Other state health news is on California’s statewide minimum wage for health care workers, an investigation of a New York hospital’s weight-loss surgery rates, Ohio’s new marijuana law, and more.
Texas Judge Allows Woman To Have Emergency Abortion Despite Ban
Travis County District Judge Maya Guerra Gamble on Thursday granted a temporary restraining order to Kate Cox that would allow her to terminate her pregnancy, despite Texas’ strict abortion ban. Cox’s doctors told her that continuing the nonviable pregnancy posed a risk to her health and future fertility. After the decision, state Attorney General Ken Paxton warned Houston-area hospitals not to carry out the procedure and that doing so could still be prosecuted under the law.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.