Latest KFF Health News Stories
Supreme Court Could Rule Today On Whether To Allow Abortion Pill Limits
Justices will decide whether to let stand an earlier decision from the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals that restricted the use of mifepristone. Legal experts are pointing out the irony of today’s ruling: Justices demanded last year that states decide abortion issues for themselves, yet now the high court is exerting control again.
Number Of Applicants For OB-GYN Residencies Falls 5.2%
The drop in applicants more than doubled in 13 states with abortion bans, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. Because many doctors practice medicine where they complete their residency, health experts say they are worried about the future of reproductive care in restrictive states.
Biden Signs Executive Order To Boost Long-Term Care, Child Care
Reuters notes President Joe Biden is facing congressional “resistance” to his care economy proposals. The new executive order aims to advance free preschool and expand affordable care for children, older Americans, and those with disabilities. It also tackles working conditions for care workers.
Eisai-Biogen Alzheimer’s Drug Shows No Net Health Benefit: Study
A new report says lecanemab, a new Alzheimer’s drug from Eisai and Biogen, doesn’t show a net health benefit over current drugs, and at its current price isn’t long-term value for the money. Meanwhile, Mark Cuban’s drug company, aimed at lowering prices, is setting up its own pharmacy network.
Study Finds Up To 1 In 4 Students Misusing ADHD Drugs
Taking ADHD drugs without prescriptions or for non-medical reasons may be becoming a widespread situation among middle and high school students, NBC News reports. Meanwhile, a different report shows about 1 in 4 Americans may be living with air pollution that can harm their health.
Texas Leads US In Dementia Mortalities
A report in the Houston Chronicle covers data from the Seniorly Resource Center which shows Texas has the greatest dementia burden score in the country, highlighting a lack of support given to patients’ loved ones. Also: “tranq,” magic mushrooms, gender-affirming care bans, and more.
MedPAC Recommends Congress Lower Payments For Post-Acute Care
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission’s recommendation applies to all post-acute care settings except long-term care hospitals and also asks Congress to look at adopting smaller site-neutral policies. News outlets cover AI in health care, a “smart” hospital’s 5G network, and more.
New Combination Drugs Prove Successful Against Severe Covid; FDA Approves Quilipta For Migraines
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments from the past week.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Chinese Lab Had Biosafety Problems In November 2019, Senate Report Says
A new report from Senate Republicans on the origins of covid-19 suggests the pandemic appeared to come from a lab accident, said several news media outlets who read the report. The Wall Street Journal says the report draws on open source reporting, including medical studies, scientific journals, and numerous Chinese government documents.
Mifepristone Maker Pays To Settle Mislabeling Lawsuit
Danco Laboratories will pay $765,000 to settle claims it violated customs laws due to a labeling issue on imports from 2011 to 2019. Meanwhile, in Nevada, the Senate advanced a resolution to allow voters to decide on a state constitutional amendment guaranteeing abortion rights.
Hospitals Suffer Shortages As Medical Device Supply Chain Falters
California-based Scripps Health, Modern Healthcare explains, has about eight times more medical devices and supplies on backorder than it had in 2019. Meanwhile, Clover Health is cutting 10% of staff during a restructuring, CVS Health chooses a new president for Aetna, and more.
Study: 34% Of Top US Clinical Research Funders Have Transparency Issues
Stat mentions that clinical trial transparency is in the spotlight, even as a new analysis found only 37% of the 14 largest public, philanthropic entities that fund trials in the U.S. adhere to WHO best practices on transparency. An MS drug patent, ADHD drug shortages, and more are also in the news.
Overdose Death Rates Among Older Americans Have Soared
Overdose fatalities among those ages 65 and older have quadrupled in the past 20 years, the Washington Post explains. Separately, a global rise in Type 2 diabetes is being driven by refined carbohydrates and meat products, CNN reports.
Spotlight On Anti-Trans Legislation As Bills Pass At Record Rate
Media outlets cover what North Carolina Health News calls a “record year” for anti-trans legislation across the country. Other reports explain how patients are scrambling to secure gender-affirming care in Missouri before restrictions come into effect April 27.
Fungal Outbreak At Michigan Paper Mill Has Killed One Person
Nearly 100 people have likely been infected in a blastomycosis outbreak at the Escanaba Billerud Paper Mill, NBC News reports, and now one person has died. In other news, Juul and Altria have settled with Minnesota over teen vaping addiction claims; a homeless program has expanded in L.A.; and more.
Viewpoints: It’s Time To Stop Body Shaming Our Kids; How Well Is Digital Mental Health Care Working?
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
McCarthy’s Debt Limit Demands Tied To SNAP, Medicaid Work Requirements
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s proposal for a one-year increase in the debt ceiling comes with conditions that would impact health programs and policies. In the potential mix are work requirements for Medicaid and SNAP recipients as well as rescinding covid relief funds that states have not yet spent.
CMS Rolls Out New Requirements For ACA Insurance Providers
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced a final rule Monday impacting insurers that participate in the Affordable Care Act marketplaces. Among the changes are requiring mental health care providers on plans, fee decreases, and allowing state exchanges to open a special enrollment period for people who lose Medicaid or CHIP benefits.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.