Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: New Moms Are Not OK; When Did We Stop Believing In Science?
Editorial writers discuss “mom rage,” skepticism surrounding scientists, Medicaid enrollment, malaria, and more.
Scientists Find Paxlovid, Molnupiravir Lower Risks From Omicron Covid
Two studies determine beneficial impact of the antiviral drugs on death and hospitalization risks from an omicron infection, though Paxlovid was found to be less effective against serious cases of covid in real-world tests than it was in initial trials.
FDA Panel Rejects Drug-Device Tech For Treating Type 2 Diabetes
A panel of medical advisers quashed hopes of a Cambridge biotech that its system would be reconsidered for approval, after being rejected twice. The device’s benefits were outweighed by its safety risks, the panel concluded. In other industry news: contamination at a U.S. Novo Nordisk plant, health care strikes, and more.
Law Firm Argues Youth-Led Utah Climate Case Should Proceed To Trial
The reasoning: the “landmark” climate case victory in Montana. Attorneys for Our Children’s Trust and Deiss Law PC argue a 2022 lower court ruling that dismissed the Utah case was wrong. Meanwhile in Florida, KidCare premiums will be covered in counties hit by Hurricane Idalia.
FTC Sues Anesthesia Group Over Alleged Anticompetitiveness
Media outlets cover the antitrust lawsuit filed Thursday, explaining how it targets a large private equity-backed doctors’ group that operates anesthesia practices in several states that allegedly created a monopoly by buying up nearly every large anesthesia practice in Texas, and more.
Contentious Primary Care Bill Advances Out Of Senate Health Committee
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee voted 14-7 to advance legislation that provides critical funding for community health centers and aims to increase access to primary care doctors and nurses. In drafting the bill, Chair Bernie Sanders circumvented the panel’s Republican leader, Sen. Bill Cassidy, setting up a clash between them during Thursday’s proceedings.
Obesity Is Becoming More Common Across The Nation: CDC
News outlets report on new data from the CDC showing that last year 22 states had at least 35% of adults with obesity, up from 19 states in 2021 — and a dramatic change from ten years ago when no state had an adult obesity rate reaching 35%. The 19th covers weight discrimination in health care.
Appeals Court Considers If State Insurance Plans Must Cover Gender Care
The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in cases Thursday involving the coverage of gender-affirming care by North Carolina’s state employee health plan and gender-affirming surgery by West Virginia Medicaid. Meanwhile, some providers are limiting gender-affirming care even when legal.
Canceled Appointments, Surprise Price Tickets: Covid Shot Rollout Hits Snags
News outlets report on the obstacles people are encountering while trying to get the latest covid vaccines — including insurance coverage, appointment, and distribution issues. Meanwhile, amid rising cases, a Gallup poll says 3 in 10 Americans think the covid pandemic is worsening again.
California AG Sues Anti-Abortion Clinics Promoting Abortion ‘Reversal’
California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s targets are two operators of “crisis pregnancy centers.” The case alleges they are making fraudulent claims by advertising an unproven, potentially risky protocol to reverse medication abortions. Other abortion news is from Ohio, North Carolina, and elsewhere.
Biden Administration Moves To Block Medical Debt From Credit Reports
With an estimated 20% of U.S. households carrying some form of medical debt, the CFPB proposed new rules Thursday that aim to keep unpaid medical bills from negatively impacting consumers’ credit scores.
Medicaid To Be Reinstated For Nearly 500,000 People Mistakenly Removed
Now 29 states and D.C. are scrambling to fix a computer system error that improperly evaluated people’s Medicaid eligibility, CMS announced Thursday. The glitch led to nearly 500,000 people, including many children, losing their insurance coverage.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Why Is The Same Party Responsible For PEPFAR Now Trying To Eliminate It?
Editorial writers delve into PEPFAR, the consequences of overturning Roe, and covid boosters and misinformation.
Research Roundup: Food Allergy Prediction; Covid; Syphillis
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Researchers See Benefits Of Breathing Exercises For Long Covid Recovery
A meta-analysis published in JAMA Network Open points to the benefits of breathing exercises and physical training for people trying to recover from long covid. Meanwhile, other scientists found that convalescent plasma may lessen the odds of a patient developing long covid.
Biggest Health Care Cost Rise In 10 Years To Hit US Employers Next Year
Reuters, covering a forecast of the “largest increase in health insurance costs in a decade,” notes that workers may be somewhat spared from the effects thanks to the tight labor market. Among other news, a group of PBMs launched Transparency-Rx, a lobbying coalition concerning prescription drug costs.
105,000 Dropped From Medicaid Rolls In Florida During August
Over 105,000 people were removed from Medicaid rolls in Florida, according to data posted on the state Agency for Health Care Administration website. Meanwhile, in California: Accidental overdoses rose in August in San Francisco; Bay Area air quality suffers from wildfire smoke. Plus, news from across the states.
House Makes Progress On Spending Deal; Worries Over Health Impacts Of A Shutdown Remain
House Republicans have “inched closer” to agreement over stalled spending legislation. Their terms, which would require more drastic spending cuts, are unlikely to pass the Senate though, keeping shutdown concerns high. Meanwhile, a House hearing on Medicare drug negotiations turned testy.
Worries Rise That Hotter Oceans Raise Bacterial Infection Risks
The New York Times reports on concerns over infection risk impacts from warming oceans. USA Today notes extreme heat events are killing New Yorkers with diabetes and heart problems. But Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Politico says, is trying to argue climate change is just ideology, not a real effect.