Latest KFF Health News Stories
CDC Warns About Eating Pre-Cut Cantaloupe Unless You Know Source
A salmonella outbreak linked to contaminated cantaloupe has grown to affect at least 117 people across 34 states, leading to the new warning. Also in the news: worries over leaded fuel used by small planes; a recall of children’s cups due to high levels of lead; “forever chemicals” in fish; more.
Global Progress Against AIDS ‘Under Threat,’ UN Warns
The politicization and stigmatization of global AIDS work is threatening gains made in treating and preventing the disease, the United Nations AIDS program says. And one of the world’s leading AIDS researchers echoes the concern.
Texas AG Sues Pfizer, Says It Deceived Public On Covid Shot Effectiveness
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, is accusing Pfizer of lying about its covid vaccine effectiveness, and over selling the shots. Separately, Anthony Fauci, former White House medical adviser, will testify in Congress over the U.S. covid response, and the virus’ origins.
Illinois Ruling Means Medical Workers Aren’t Covered By Privacy Law
A pair of nurses had sued their employers over use of fingerprint-locked medication storage, but now the state’s Supreme Court ruled against them. Also in health industry news: Republican opposition to site-neutral hospital payment cuts; ChatGPT in health care; and more.
Novo Sues Florida Compounding Pharmacies For Impure Wegovy Doses
Novo Nordisk says it found its products at the pharmacies concerned were as much as 33% impure. Also in the news, AbbVie’s promising cancer drug; quality issues with China-made plastic syringes; Purdue Pharma’s bankruptcy; and more.
Former Marine Guilty Of Firebomb Attack On California Abortion Clinic
Chance Brannon was on active duty in San Diego County when he firebombed a Planned Parenthood clinic in 2022, and has now pled guilty to the attack. Meanwhile, a ruling means Ohio is exempt from some family planning funding regulations.
CDC Director Testifies On Current State Of Covid, Flu, And RSV Threats
In her first congressional testimony as head of the embattled CDC, Mandy Cohen fielded questions from Republicans about the spike in child pneumonia in China. Rather than a new pathogen, she said it was attributed to the same increase in respiratory illnesses experienced last winter by nations that opened back up sooner post-pandemic. She also said that RSV season is in full swing in the U.S.
Suicides Involving Guns Reach Highest Level Since Records Began
The rate increased by more than 10 percent in 2022 compared with 2019, but the rise was much steeper in some racial and ethnic groups. Meanwhile, in California, more CARE courts launch — an effort to help homeless people with mental illnesses.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers tackle reproductive rights, community hospitals, pregnancy discrimination and more.
Soldiers At Fort Carson Blocked From Seeking Health Care Before 9 AM
The restriction, put in place to cement a time frame for physical training, applies to “medical, dental, behavioral health, and other types of appointments.” Once officer who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “This is just going to create problems, not solve them.”
Controversial ‘Abortion Reversal’ Laws On Books In 15 States
Bills supporting unproven treatments to counteract a medication abortion are being advocated for by anti-abortion groups and have passed in 15 states. Colorado is the only one that’s gone the other way, effectively banning the treatment.
BJC Healthcare And Saint Luke’s Health System Reach Merger Agreement
St. Louis-based BJC Healthcare and Kansas City, Mo.-based Saint Luke’s Health System have reached a definitive agreement to merge their 28 hospitals. Meanwhile, critics argue that HCA’s efforts to cut costs endangered Appalachian patients.
FDA Clears First-Ever Oral Device To Battle Sleep Apnea
The device is made by Vivos Therapeutics and is designed to help with severe obstructive sleep apnea, and is an alternative to devices made by companies like Philips. Also in the news: Pharmavite LLC; Generation Bio; obesity drugs and BMI; and more.
Report Highlights Health, Safety Risks Faced By Gen Z, Millennial Women
A new analysis from the Population Reference Bureau compared how women in their 20s and 30s fared across generations, and ABC News notes that results show younger generations face heightened risks for physical well-being and safety for a variety of reasons.
Medicaid Expansion Arrives In North Carolina For Hundreds Of Thousands
Also in the news: California Gov. Gavin Newsom promises to crack down on the deadly street drug called “tranq”; Missouri lawmakers are set to push for new charges for fentanyl dealers; overdose deaths in New Hampshire overwhelm MEs; and more.
Research Roundup: Strep; Pneumonia; Education; Covid
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
Cigna, Humana In Talks For Mega Merger That Could Shake Up Market
Insurance giants Cigna and Human are in discussions to merge, sources told The Wall Street Journal. If a deal proceeds, it would likely be reviewed by the federal government, which has previously blocked proposed insurance mergers. If approved, though, the move would create a new insurance giant in the marketplace.
Next FDA Deputy Commissioner: Namandjé Bumpus To Replace Janet Woodcock
The FDA’s chief scientist, Namandjé Bumpus, will succeed Janet Woodcock as the agency’s principal deputy commissioner. Bumpus, who will be the first Black woman in the job, will prioritize reorganizing the agency’s Human Foods Program and improving inspections of facilities that make drugs and medical devices, and process food products.
CDC Launches New Covid Wastewater Tracking Dashboard
CIDRAP reminds us that tracking covid infections via wastewater analysis is one of the early indicators of rising covid activity in an area. Meanwhile, a new round of covid infections and deaths at a New Jersey nursing facility has halted admissions and illustrates covid’s ongoing threat.