Latest KFF Health News Stories
Ohio Justices Consider Legal Strategy Behind State’s Abortion Law Push
The state’s Solicitor General faced vigorous questioning by Ohio Supreme Court Justices over the legal strategy Ohio is pursuing in an attempt to revive a strict abortion ban. Elsewhere: abortion protests hit a women’s health clinic; a Texas county considers a road access ban for abortion-seekers; and more.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Congress Can Help Fix The Doctor Shortage; People Are Confused By The Word ‘Tripledemic’
Editorial writers tackle the physician shortage, the “tripledemic,” Medicaid and suicide prevention.
Perspectives: Psychedelics Potential As Therapy Undermined By Unregulated Use
Read recent commentaries about pharmaceutical issues.
California Governor Signs New Gun Control Measures Into Law
The laws will toughen the rules around concealed-carry, as well as imposing new taxes on sales of firearms and ammunition. Also in California: a last-minute labor deal has ended worries over a health worker strike at a lon-profit provider. Other health news is from Missouri, Massachusetts, Oregon, Louisiana, and elsewhere.
Molnupiravir May Be Triggering Covid Mutations; New FDA Guidance On Antibiotics In Food Animals
Read recent pharmaceutical developments in KFF Health News’ Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Firearm Access Is Driving Up Teenage Boy Suicide Rates Dramatically
Data show teenage boys’ suicide rates were more than three times higher than for girls between 2018 and 2020, and the majority were by firearm. Another report covers suicides among nursing staff. Other research shows: high suicide rates for nurses; and that teens’ days are punctuated by phone notifications, even at night.
Study Finds Exposure To Tear Gas Impacts Reproductive Health Outcomes
Anecdotal evidence after protests following the murder of George Floyd suggested a link between tear gas exposure and protestors’ menstrual cycles and reproductive health, and now scientists have confirmed the links. Also: research into spider venom as an erectile dysfunction drug; and more.
Centene To Lay Off 3% Of Workforce To Lower Costs
The move impacts about 2,000 employees and is part of an effort to lower costs. In other news, reports say health tech startups have fallen since high numbers in 2021; consulting company McKinsey will pay $230 million in opioid settlements; Eli Lilly’s $176.5 million patent loss is overturned; and more.
Ohio Supreme Court To Hear Abortion Case Over State’s 6-Week Ban
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, a Republican, will ask the state’s Supreme Court to lift a lower court’s injunction against the six-week ban and to provide him with standing to challenge the case. The justices’ decision could have a big impact on a November abortion ballot initiative.
CMS: Medicare Advantage Premiums To Slightly Rise Next Year
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services estimates that Medicare Advantage plan premiums will increase from $0.64 per month on average in 2024. Separately, GAO says that CMS does not have useful data on private equity investments in the nursing home industry.
Survey: 46% Of Adults Likely To Get New Covid Vaccine, With Partisan Attitudes In Play
The KFF poll finds that 23% of adults in the U.S. will “definitely” get the new covid vaccine, while another 23% say they will “probably” do so. A stark political divide emerges in the data: 69% of Democrats, in contrast to 25% of Republicans, fall into those categories. A separate Gallup survey also surfaces partisan differences in attitudes toward the trajectory of covid cases.
Senate Stopgap Funding Measure Protects Hospitals, Health Programs
The stopgap funding measure the Senate is advancing includes provisions that would temporarily reauthorize hospital payments, the federally qualified health centers program, the National Health Service Corps, and some other health policy initiatives until Nov. 17.
ARPA-H Announces First Regional Hubs, New Cancer Research Programs
The brand new biomedical research agency announced its first two hubs will be in the Dallas and Boston areas — all part of its decentralized plan. The agency also revealed $115 million in funding for three new cancer research programs, plus a nationwide network for health innovation deployment.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Labor Conditions, Burnout Drive Health Care Workers To Picket Line
A multi-state strike is now planned by over 75,000 Kaiser Permanente workers for Oct. 4-7, unless a deal is struck. Nurses in St. Louis and dialysis workers in California are also participating in a short work stoppage. It’s part of an increasing trend as health care workers say the they are still experiencing work pressures caused by the covid pandemic.
Dec. 1 Set As Date For North Carolina’s Medicaid Expansion
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper announced the expansion date Monday, when an estimated 600,000 of the state’s poorest residents will become eligible for Medicaid coverage. Among other news: medical malpractice matters in Florida; youth mental health service in Michigan; more.
Editorial writers tackle increasing medical bills, consequences of Tennessee’s anti-abortion laws and more.
Scientists Find Concrete Evidence Of Blood Changes In Long Covid Patients
The finding that patients suffering long covid symptoms have detectable immune and hormonal imbalances in blood tests could be a breakthrough in understanding and diagnosing the condition. Other researchers found delta covid put people at higher risk of heart and brain complications.
Inspectors Find Contamination At Novo Nordisk Factory Making Diabetes Drug
Bacterial contamination was detected in batches of the main ingredients for Rybelsys in a Novo Nordisk plant in North Carolina. Separately, the drugmaker is partnering with Valo health to search for new drugs using AI.