Latest KFF Health News Stories
Research Roundup: Alzheimer’s; Cancer; Covid; Gain Of Function
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
Rollout Of Electronic Health Records At VA Won’t Restart Until Next Summer
Problems beset the rollout over “patient health and safety and frustration among users,” Military.com explains. But it’s now going to take longer than expected to restart the process. Also: NBC News reports on a survey showing how common anti-Asian racism is in medicine; plus pharmaceutical industry news.
After 2 Deaths, A Desperate Effort In India To Stop Outbreak Of Nipah Virus
Nipah virus is a “rare and often deadly disease,” CNN notes, and India Today reports it can be transmitted from animals to humans. Reuters explains how experts have spread out across the southern state of Kerala to collect samples from bats and fruit trees in an effort to track the virus.
Fear Of Getting Pregnant Post-Roe Makes Some Plan To Forgo Kids
The end of Roe v. Wade is having a “chilling effect on pregnancy,” with a new survey showing how poor or unavailable medical care is dramatically impacting people’s life choices. Other reproductive health news is on Planned Parenthood layoffs, Republican plans to fund so-called “crisis pregnancy centers,” and more.
Fentanyl-Stimulant Mix Leading To New Phase In Overdose Crisis
The proportion of overdoses linked to a mix of fentanyl and a stimulant has risen over fiftyfold from 2010 to 2021, NBC News reports, driving a “fourth wave” of the overdose epidemic. Axios, meanwhile, covers dramatic regional differences in the illicit use of xylazine mixed with fentanyl.
Rubio Bill Targets ‘Gender Ideology’ In Hospitals, Agencies Across The States
Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, 52, finds modern ideas about gender identity so “deeply disturbing” that he worries they’ve begun to “infiltrate” the U.S. health care system. His new bill would ban government agencies and hospitals with federal funding from enforcing “radical gender ideology.”
HHS And Regeneron Strike Deal That Limits Price On Anti-Covid Drug
Stat reports that the deal clause is the first time the Biden administration has directly used its leverage to challenge drugmakers’ list prices. Other drug pricing news relates to Medicare, insulin caps, and tuberculosis.
Possible Government Shutdown Would Be Big Hit To Health Care System
The looming chance of a government shutdown highlights risks of putting “large swathes of the healthcare system into limbo,” Modern Healthcare reports. Issues as diverse as DSH payments, HIV prevention, medical education, and more may impacted by the political imbroglio.
DeSantis Admin Advises Against New Covid Shots For Floridians Under 65
In contradiction of federal guidelines that recommend the new covid booster shots to all ages over 6 months, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and his surgeon general are telling their residents that only people 65 and older should get the updated vaccine.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers examine full-body MRIs, AI in health care, childhood obesity, and more.
Perspectives: PEPFAR Under Threat And Must Be Saved, Says Former President Who Created It
Read recent commentaries about pharmaceutical issues.
White House Says It’s Trying To End Cancer Drug Shortages
Stat reports experts are still worried and say the administration has to show exactly how it’ll tackle shortages of three key generic chemotherapies. Separately, 2Seventy Bio, a Cambridge biotech developing cancer drugs, is laying off 40% of its workforce as the business sector is in hard times.
Bill That Bans FDA-Approved Food Additives Heads To California Governor
The California Legislature passed Assembly Bill 418, which bans four food additives — including red dye No. 3, linked to potential health issues. If signed by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, the law would be the first in the nation to ban FDA-permitted additives. Mental and behavioral health programs in California are also in the news.
Optimism For New Parkinson’s Treatment; Recently Updated RCDI Treatments Are Promising
Read recent pharmaceutical developments in KFF Health News’ Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Bankruptcies Endangering Private Equity-Owned Hospitals, Nursing Homes
Wall Street has been snapping up health care businesses through cheap financing. Now those funds are drying up, Politico reports, and debts are coming due, leaving private-equity backed health centers vulnerable.
Food Industry Tries To Avert Federal Guidance On Ultra-Processed Products
Representatives of food makers spoke Tuesday to a federal panel tasked with reviewing latest nutrition research and recommending changes to national dietary guidelines. Other news reports on diabetes, dementia, and more.
Women Denied Care In Oklahoma, Tennessee, Idaho Sue Over Abortion Bans
At the core of the argument is a denial of access to abortion during dangerous pregnancy complications that the women say endangered their lives. Meanwhile, in Kansas medical experts are questioning a lawmaker’s inexpert anti-abortion testimony, likely based on unreliable data.
Utah Judge: Medical Records Of 2 Trans Minors Must Be Shared With State
The minors are both transgender girls who are suing over the state’s ban on athletes like them playing in high school sports. Data, such as their onset of puberty and mental health reports, will be shared. Meanwhile, a judge ruled a Florida restriction on trans adult care can be enforced.
Panel Says Leading Decongestant Won’t Actually Unblock Your Nose
Advisers to the FDA have been nosing into phenylephrine’s effectiveness as a decongestant, and news outlets reported their conclusion: It doesn’t work. But don’t be snooty about all cold meds: phenylephrine isn’t dangerous, and other ingredients can work to help.