Latest KFF Health News Stories
UMass Boston Warns Community Of Active Tuberculosis Case
The person with the illness may have been infected many years before the infection was active, the warning notes. Around 39 people have been identified as having been in close proximity to the patient. Among other news, researchers found that many mpox patients had other STIs, making the mpox more severe.
HPV Vaccine’s Success Against Cancer May Prompt A New Screening Protocol
Meanwhile, other reports cover how CAR-T cancer therapy can, in rare cases, activate latent virus. Plus, promising results for a lung cancer pill.
Zuckerberg Accused Of Blocking Efforts To Protect Teen Facebook, Instagram Users
Newly unsealed court documents in a lawsuit filed by Massachusetts show that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg ignored or halted internal efforts at this company to make the social media platforms safer to teen mental health.
FDA Approves Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro For Weight Loss, Under ‘Zepbound’ Name
The drug, identical to a version well-known under its diabetes-treatment brand Mounjaro, is similar to the drugs Ozempic and Wegovy — drugs that have stirred up a frenzy for their effectiveness and created a market expected to hit $100 billion by 2030. Zepbound will cost less than Wegovy, too.
Success In Ohio Triggers Effort To Get Abortion Rights On 2024 Ballots
News outlets cover the impact of Tuesday’s decision by Ohio voters to approve a constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights, with advocates looking ahead to 2024. Conversely, in Missouri, the Supreme Court hears a case on an effort to defund Planned Parenthood.
If You’re A Prime User, Amazon’s One Medical Service Is Now Half Price
Membership for the primary care clinic One Medical had cost $199 a year, but starting Wednesday, its price drops to $99 for Amazon Prime members. Among other news, Moody’s lifts financial predictions for nonprofit hospitals; Best Buy adds Mass General Brigham as at-home care partner; and more.
Senate Panel Passes Package Of Reforms That Would Limit PBMs
The package, passed by a prominent Senate panel, has a broad range of health care policies including substance abuse and mental health care, but the headline-grabbing effort limits certain practices by PBMs with a goal of limiting patient costs. Also in the news: Medicare solvency, and more.
KFF Health News’ First Edition will not be published Friday, Nov. 10, in observance of Veterans Day. Look for it again in your inbox Monday. Here are today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers discuss abortion, mental health, colorblindness, and more.
Read recent commentaries about pharmaceutical issues.
Marijuana Use Linked To Heart Attack Risk, Especially For Older People
Two new pieces of research suggest that using marijuana could lead to a higher heart attack risk, especially among older people, though both sets of data come with caveats about the results. Meanwhile, federal nutrition guidelines may soon warn against eating ultra-processed foods.
Ozempic Is Used To Counteract Psychiatric Medication Weight Gain
Read recent pharmaceutical developments in KFF Health News’ Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
FTC Challenges Over 100 Brand-Name Meds’ Patents For Inaccuracies
The issue, the Federal Trade Commission says, is improper or inaccurate patent listings made by some of the world’s biggest drugmakers. Among other news, the FDA says Accord Healthcare has resumed making the common cancer drug methotrexate amid ongoing cancer drug shortages.
CMS Nursing Home Staffing Standards Aren’t Realistic, Fla. Association Warns
Florida’s largest nursing home industry group, the Florida Health Care Association, wrote to CMS to warn that most nursing homes wouldn’t be able to meet the proposed standards for care, and if they did, they may have to turn away residents. Also in the news, a possible L.A. County physician strike.
Supreme Court May Uphold Gun Bans For Accused Domestic Abusers
News outlets report that though some Supreme Court justices seemed skeptical on the matter, they may be inclined to uphold a law banning those accused of domestic abuse from owning guns — showing “little sympathy” for one abuser who was arguing for his Second Amendment gun rights.
Officials Call For More Syphilis Testing For Newborns Amid Skyrocketing Cases
CDC data show over 3,700 babies were born with congenital syphilis in 2022, ten times the rate a decade ago, triggering a call for better testing and treatment during pregnancies. Separately, even as RSV season begins, demand for newly-approved antibody injections has already outstripped supply.
VA Stops Collecting Pension Debt From Some Vets It Mistakenly Overpaid
Meanwhile, reports say that some military beneficiaries of Tricare or the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program may be paying more in 2024. Also, researchers found that service members’ and veterans’ sensitive medical data can be purchased for very low prices by brokers.
Votes In Virginia, Kentucky Will Also Impact Abortion Politics
Both chambers of the Virginia legislature will next be controlled by Democrats, in an Election Day development that sets back Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s plans to push anti-abortion measures. And in Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear won reelection in a race in which the abortion issue played a key role.
What Tuesday’s Results Could Mean For The 2024 Elections
With abortion-rights advocates sealing important wins, news outlets consider how this illuminates the path voters may take in 2024. Meanwhile, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals considered whether Texas can be forced to allow medically necessary abortions, defying its ban.
Dr. Monica Bertagnolli Confirmed As New NIH Director, Despite Sanders’ ‘No’
The Senate voted 62 to 36 Tuesday to confirm cancer surgeon Dr. Monica M. Bertagnolli to the directorship of the National Institutes of Health, overriding objections from Senate health committee chair Bernie Sanders, who had voiced concerns over Bertagnolli’s ability to combat high drug prices.