Latest KFF Health News Stories
Perspectives: It’s Time To Rethink Incentive System For Drug Patents
Read recent commentaries about pharmaceutical issues.
Israeli Military Raids Biggest Hospital In Gaza At ‘Epicenter’ Of Fighting
Israeli forces on Wednesday stormed Shifa Hospital in Gaza, a facility that has been at the center of fighting. Hundreds of patients, including 36 newborns, are still in the hospital. The World Health Organization has lost communications with health personnel inside. Israel’s military says it found weapons and evidence of hostages at another hospital.
New Hampshire’s Dartmouth Health Calls Gun Deaths A Public Health Issue
Dartmouth Health is the state’s largest health system, and in the aftermath of the Maine shooting, its leaders are saying that preventing gun deaths shouldn’t be a political issue. Also in the news: a conference tackles mental health for those who own guns; Amazon’s One Medical; and more.
Many Children With Flu Not Being Prescribed Antivirals; Drop In Covid Vaccine Sales Is Costing Jobs
Read recent pharmaceutical developments in KFF Health News’ Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
UnitedHealth Sued Over Coverage Denials
The insurance giant uses an artificial intelligence tool to allegedly deny post-acute care coverage to Medicare Advantage members, a newly filed lawsuit says. Separately, the Justice Department is dropping an antitrust case against a UnitedHealth Group affiliate over hiring agreements.
Cigna Express Scripts Will Simplify Its Pricing Structure Next Year
The move is following Mark Cuban’s playbook, Bloomberg explains, where the billionaire sells drugs through his startup Cost Plus Drugs at a set markup. Meanwhile, pharmacists say that the Biden administration’s efforts to limit PBMs aren’t working, and may be hurting independent drugstores.
American Heart Association Removes Race From Cardiac Risk Algorithm
Scientists use several medical and demographic indicators as part of a widely used cardiac risk prediction, but now they have ruled out race from the equation because it’s not a biological risk factor. Separately, a study found U.S. suicide rates were highest in elderly men, and mostly involve guns.
House Passes Bill To Keep Government Running — For Now
The legislation now goes to the Senate. But health and food programs aren’t in the clear — “laddered” deadlines included in the bill mean some programs are at risk of expiring in January or February.
Updated Covid Shots Are In The Arms Of Around 36 Million Adults: CDC
The CDC figures also show that around 3.5 million children have had the updated vaccines. For reference, the U.S. population is around 333 million. Also, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal filed by New Jersey nurses over the state’s now-rescinded health worker vaccine mandate.
Biden, Xi To Announce Deal For China Crackdown On Fentanyl Trade
The production and export of fentanyl is expected to be one of the discussion items for President Joe Biden and China’s leader Xi Jinping when they meet in San Francisco — a city hard-hit by the opioid epidemic. Bloomberg reports a deal is being finalized for China to crack down on chemical companies making the drugs.
Oklahoma’s Supreme Court Decides To Keep Abortion Bans On Hold
Throughout legal challenge to the state’s strict abortion bans the measures have been temporarily banned, and the court reiterated the state constitution guarantees a woman’s abortion rights when medically necessary. In Ohio, Republicans’ efforts to thwart an abortion rights amendment may falter.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers discuss 988, abortion, obesity drugs and more.
Senate Moves To Sidestep Tuberville’s Military Holds Over Abortion Policy
The Senate Rules Committee is expected to mark up a resolution Tuesday that aims to confirm more than 350 senior military promotions to get around a blanket hold by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, a Republican from Alabama, that he’s put in place for the last 9 months to object to the Pentagon’s abortion policy.
AMA Argues Weight-Loss Drugs Should Be Covered By Insurers
Fear of the treatments’ costs is preventing insurers, employers, and government programs from covering obesity treatments, Stat says. Also in the news: Elevance Health, Cigna Group, psychedelic drug startup Filament, and more.
Dems’ Opposition To Shutdown Plan Softens; Hard-Line Republicans Dig In
A proposal to avert a government shutdown floated by House Speaker Mike Johnson is gaining support among Democrats, whose support will be needed to pass the House since right-leaning members’ opposition to the measure grows.
Upbeat Study Into Lung Cancer Found Survival Rates Are Rising
The five-year rate rose 22% between 2015 to 2019. NPR notes the findings are a “bright note” amid deepening racial disparities in many health care areas since rates are rising in communities of color, too. Separately, Midwestern states are found to have a mixed record in fighting lung cancer.
Marine Corps Has Highest Suicide Rate Of All Military Branches
In the active Marine Corps, the rate rose from 23.9 deaths by suicide per 100,000 service members in 2021 to 34.9 deaths in 2022. Separately, reports say AI is now being used as part of an effort to combat military suicides.
105,000 People Who Were Cut From Pa. Medicaid Rolls Get Coverage Back
Those involved lost their insurance benefits because of missing a form or for procedural reasons, but now the state is returning coverage retroactively to the termination dates. Separately, the Biden administration is criticized for being slow to act as millions of other people lose Medicaid.
Care Denials By UnitedHealth Were Driven By Algorithms, Staff Allege
The denials, including cutting off care for older and disabled Americans, came as the health insurer’s profits soared, Stat found. In other news, ex-employees allege the head of the VA Prosthetics Department in Colorado canceled some vets’ orders to beat a backlog.