Latest KFF Health News Stories
A Shutdown Would Increase Hunger Risks With SNAP, WIC Benefits Disrupted
An estimated 7 million women and children would feel the hunger pinch if food assistance programs funds dry up during a federal government shutdown, the Biden administration warns. It’s also expected that other federal health care programs would be impacted and a large number of HHS employees furloughed.
AstraZeneca Will Negotiate With Medicare On Price For Diabetes Drug
Drugmaker AstraZeneca tells Politico that it plans to participate in negotiations with CMS over the price Medicare pays for Farxiga, a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes, as well as heart failure and chronic kidney disease. In other news, a new study quantifies the big impact of the “pink tax” on womens’ health care costs.
Overdose Crisis Tops Death Records In San Francisco, New York City
The impact of fentanyl on San Francisco is highlighted with descriptions of people dying in the streets. In New York City, data show overdose deaths in 2022 were the highest since official records began in 2000 — and fentanyl was detected in over 80% of them.
Study Raises Concerns Merck’s Covid Drug Affects Virus’ Future Mutations
New research links patients taking Merck’s molnupiravir drug with mutations in the covid virus that can occasionally spread to other people. The results are raising questions over whether the drug could impact covid’s evolution. Also in the news: covid rebound and how the new vaccine rollout is stuttering.
Missouri Abortion Petition Is Rewritten By Judge To Remove Biased Wording
A Cole County judge said some original summaries written by Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, a Republican, were unfairly biased. Ashcroft’s language included phrases like “dangerous, unregulated, and unrestricted abortions, from conception to live birth.” His office plans to appeal.
CDC Tries A Rebrand To Promote This Season’s Flu Vaccine Program
The surprising “Wild to Mild” campaign contrasts pictures of wild animals with cute pets as a metaphor for how a flu shot can tame the potentially dangerous illness. The campaign is all about setting reasonable expectations for the vaccine. Also in the news: Republican voter vaccine skepticism.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Spending On Weight-Loss Drugs Projected To Hit $100 Billion By 2035
Fortune reports that, in the U.S. alone, revenue for medications like Ozempic and Wegovy could hit $70 billion. Other industry news is on the Kaiser Permanente health care worker strike, “unengaged” nurses, cancer drug shortages, and more.
North Carolina Set to Expand Medicaid, Covering 600,000 Low-Income Adults
North Carolina’s Medicaid expansion is set to take effect, extending coverage to about 600,000 low-income adults. It’s a long-sought victory for the state’s Democratic governor, Roy Cooper.
Editorial writers tackle postpartum depression, opioid addiction, PEPFAR and more.
Report Focuses On How September Is Especially Bad For Asthmatic Children
As summer’s heat gives way to fall weather and kids return to school, asthma exerts say the shift takes a “toll” on those with asthma, especially in communities of color. Also related to respiration, a study finds that secondhand smoke is a source of lead exposure for kids.
Gene Variant Linked To Parkinson’s Risk For Some Of African Descent
A worldwide push to increase diversity in genetic studies has led to a discovery about Parkinson’s disease. Among other research, a federally funded daycare food program is linked to better overall health in children and their families; another study links short naps to improved memory and heart health.
Researchers Found Type 2 Diabetes Soared In US Youngsters During Covid
The US saw a 62% jump in the onset of type 2 diabetes among U.S. youth after the beginning of the pandemic, particularly in Black and Hispanic children, according to a study. Separately, research by Diabetes U.K. links depression with a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Health Programs Among Those Biden Warns Would Be Hit By A Shutdown
Ramping up the pressure on congressional lawmakers, President Joe Biden said Saturday that “a government shutdown can affect everything from food safety to cancer research to Head Start for children.” Other news from the capital reports on provider-insurer contracts, medical debt, opioids, and more.
CDC Backs Seasonal RSV Vaccine For Pregnant Women To Protect Newborns
CDC Director Mandy Cohen accepted the recommendation of the agency’s vaccine advisory panel that pregnant people get Pfizer’s RSV vaccine during the virus’ active season to provide another layer of protection for newborn babies.
Free Covid Tests Now Available To Order; Biden Gets New Vaccine
President Joe Biden received the new covid vaccine Saturday, as well as his annual flu shot, and urged Americans to do the same this fall. And ordering is now open at covidtests.gov for another round of free test kits from the federal government.
Missouri Counter-Sues Clinic That Tried to Challenge Transgender Care Restrictions
Missouri’s attorney general counter-sued a St. Louis clinic that unsuccessfully challenged new state restrictions on gender-affirming care, accusing it of failing to provide proper care for transgender minors even before the law took effect.
A Second Human Patient Has Received A Transplanted Pig Heart
The genetically modified pig heart was transplanted into a man with terminal heart disease who had no other hope of treatment, the University of Maryland Medical Center announced. Previously, the first recipient of a pig heart died two months after the transplant, but the organ functioned well.
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 the nervous system, cutting-edge athletic treatments, adoption in South Korea, and more.