Latest KFF Health News Stories
Credit Rating Downgrades Hitting Dozens Of Health Systems
Current challenging operating environments are blamed. Separate reports show there’s an “exodus” of life scientists from academia to industry positions, raising worries over the future of U.S. science. Other news includes new drug reviews and approvals, an Eli Lilly whistleblower lawsuit and more.
San Francisco To Start New Court Process For Unhoused People With Mental Illness
The CARE court will allow some parties to directly petition the court for behavioral health services. Pilots in San Francisco and Stanislaus counties are set to launch Monday. Separately, Los Angeles city and county are set to spend billions of dollars to provide support, housing services for homeless people.
Surgeon General: Beating Loneliness May Help US Mental Health Crisis
Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy say that he worries that the state of U.S. mental health is worse than ever, and called for stronger communities to help tackle loneliness. Among other public health news: a worrying parasite in Baltimore drinking water, TikTok promotions for steroids, more.
3 In 4 Infants Needing Hospital Care For Covid Had Unvaccinated Mothers
Meanwhile, researchers found covid vaccines received during pregnancy help protect newborns. Other scientists looked into evolving covid vaccine loads and the timing of at-home testing. Also: antibiotic-resistant bacteria, an implantable for paralyzed patients, and menopause symptoms.
Manchin Joins Republicans in Blocking VA Nominee Over Abortion Policy
Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia, has joined with Republicans on the Veterans Affairs Committee to block the confirmation of President Joe Biden’s nominee for general counsel at Veterans Affairs, Politico reports. Manchin and the Republicans oppose a policy the VA adopted to counsel patients on abortion and provide the procedure under limited circumstances. The nomination has been stalled for more than a year.
Medicare’s ‘Innovation’ Agency Was Expected to Save Money. It’s Cost Billions.
The Congressional Budget Office once predicted that the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation would save taxpayers nearly $3 billion over a decade. It’s instead increased spending on federal health care programs by billions of dollars.
McCarthy Wins Votes On A Few Spending Bills, But Government Shutdown Looms
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy managed to win passage of a handful of spending bills late Thursday, potentially strengthening his position in last-minute negotiations to avert a government shutdown.
Don’t Be Surprised If Your Free Govt. Covid Tests Are Already ‘Expired’
Experts say that expired tests that may be delivered as part of the latest round of free test kits shouldn’t immediately be discarded — they may still be valid. Meanwhile, the CDC director is urging flu and covid vaccinations this fall amid low uptake rates. Also: hydroxychloroquine is in the news again.
House Republicans Introduce Bill To Ban Abortion Meds
The goal is to ban nationwide what bill supporters claim are “dangerous drugs.” Mifepristone has been approved for 23 years for abortions until 10 weeks and the drugs have become the most common abortion method. In other news, a legal to-and-fro in Texas over Yelp and “crisis pregnancy centers.”
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Americans Should Focus On Health Span Versus Life Span; Hospital Prices Are Clear As Mud
Editorial writers discuss living a long, healthy life, hospital price transparency, health care innovation and more.
CVS Promises To Boost Hiring, Avoids A Repeat Pharmacists Strike
The goal is to ease workloads of overburdened pharmacists. But the company was also sued by a small Iowa pharmacy alleging that CVS violated antitrust laws. Among other news: Google led a funding round for Midi Health; Pfizer’s chief sees a “scientific renaissance” emerge as populations age; and more.
Death In Colorado Linked To The Plague
After the death of an Archuleta County resident, officials stressed the disease is very rare but that people should take precautions when interacting with some animals. Meanwhile, in New York, “ghost” guns were found in a day care site. Other news is from Texas, Florida, and elsewhere.
Research Roundup: Antibiotic Resistance; Cancer; Genetic Risk-Scoring; Parkinson’s
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Second Republican Debate Included Health Care, Costs, And Trans Misinfo
The second Republican presidential debate included discussion about the health care industry, the opioid crisis, drug prices, abortion, and other hot-button topics. A false link between transgenderism and mental health disorders was also mentioned.
Stand Up And Take Notice: All-Day Sitting Linked To Higher Dementia Risk
Older adults who spend a lot of time sitting are at higher dementia risk than those who don’t, it’s reported. And researchers also found that even if you exercise a lot, sitting all day at work or home worsens dementia risks. Also: studies into toxic chemicals, young adult cannabis use, and more.
FDA Updates Ozempic Label Warnings; Advisory Panel Votes Against ALS Drug
The label for diabetes treatment Ozempic, popularized by its use as a weight loss drug, will now list blocked intestines as a potential side effect. Two other similar drugs, Wegovy and Mounjaro, already do. In other FDA news, its panel of independent advisers voted 17-1 against recommending a new ALS therapy.
Montana’s Ban On Youth Gender Care Blocked On Constitutional Grounds
Enforcement of the state’s recently enacted ban on gender-affirming care for minors is now blocked, as Missoula County District Judge Jason Marks ruled it likely discriminates based on minors’ transgender status. Separately, HHS proposed a rule to protect LGBTQ+ children in foster care.
Health Programs Brace For Shutdown As Congressional Options Shrink
While most attention is focused on the shutdown clock that will count down to zero on Saturday night without lawmakers’ action, there are some other issues being discussed on Capitol Hill, including Medicare solvency, AI, and reproductive data privacy.
HHS: Insurers Are Committed To ‘Fully Covering’ New Covid Vaccines
Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra met with insurance executives Wednesday and received commitments that the updated covid vaccines will be covered, following reports of issues during the initial rollout last week. Other covid vaccine news is on nursing homes, the Los Angeles school system, and more.