Latest KFF Health News Stories
Biden Admin Appeals Abortion Pill Case To The Supreme Court
The Biden administration and drugmaker Danco have appealed a lower court decision — that is on currently on hold — restricting access to mifepristone, one of two drugs commonly used in a medicated abortion. The Supreme Court will likely hear the case next year, leaving in place a patchwork of state laws determining access to abortion pills.
White House Urged To Create National Patient Safety Team
To tackle preventable harm in the medical system, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology have recommended the creation of a national patient safety team. In other administration news: NIH chief confirmation hearings will start in October.
Possible Link Found Between Long Covid And Earlier Cold Infection
It’s easy to forget coronaviruses existed long before the covid pandemic, but new research into long covid found that a previous infection of a common cold-causing coronavirus may explain why some people suffer from persistent symptoms. Also in the news: covid is here to stay, as a new normal.
Firefighter Deaths From 9/11 Illnesses Nearly Equal Number Killed In Attack
The New York City Fire Department has added 43 new names to its memorial wall, bringing to 341 the number of FDNY veterans who died from Ground Zero-related ailments. On Sept. 11, 2001, 343 FDNY members were killed. In related news, two more victims of the terrorist attacks have been identified, the first since 2021.
CDC: Don’t Panic — Your Body’s Covid Defenses Can Battle New Variant
The CDC on Friday released information on research into how antibodies from earlier covid infections and vaccines do work against the new BA.2.86 variant. Meanwhile, a report covers a dilemma the CDC has over how to recommend new covid booster shots to the public.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Paqui Pulls Spicy Chip From Stores As Mass. Authorities Probe Teen’s Death
7-Eleven has already removed the chips from shelves, AP reported. The cause of death of the 14-year-old said to have eaten a chip is still being determined. Meanwhile, a new trend: EKG screening for kids, spurred by heart health worries.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on chemical water contamination, race and health, menopause, and more.
Viewpoints: We Can Learn From Sweden’s Handling Of Covid; How Have Some People Avoided Covid?
Editorial writers tackle covid, rural hospitals, AI in health care, and more.
It Wasn’t Just You: Data Show 2023’s Summer Was Hottest Ever. By A Lot.
Data from the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service show July was the hottest ever month on record. And August? The second hottest recorded. In turn, reports show that heat-related deaths are also up, but not just because of hotter weather.
Philips Respironics To Pay $479M To Settle Claims Of Flawed CPAP Machines
Concerns over the breathing machines, which may “spew” gasses and foam flecks into patients’ airways, drove a recall of millions of the devices. Meanwhile, a small study suggests a weight-loss drug may help cut insulin requirements for people newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
Court Rules Massachusetts Facility Can Carry On With Electric Shock ‘Therapy’
The new Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts ruling says the Judge Rotenberg Educational Center can keep shocking residents to address aggressive or self-harming behavior, Reuters reported. Also: tracking of rape kits, end-of-life care, and more.
HHS Aims To Stop Provider Discrimination Against Those With Disabilities
Modern Healthcare covers news that the Health and Human Services Department is taking aim at providers’ habits of denying care to people with disabilities based on an inability or an unwillingness to accommodate their needs. Also in the news: the problem with medical credit cards.
Biden Still Testing Negative For Covid, And Now So Is First Lady
President Joe Biden departed as planned for his international trip to the G-20 summit in India as he continues to test negative for covid. First lady Jill Biden, who first tested positive Monday night, is now showing clear tests.
It’s Back: Yes, Covid, But Also The Heated Political Rhetoric Over Masks
As covid cases rise, only a smattering of schools or businesses are trying to require masks again. And the Biden administration is not pushing for that to change. Even so, Republicans are pounding the issue on the campaign trail and one senator pushed a bill to ban mask mandates.
Florida Supreme Court To Take Up Challenge To Abortion Bans
The lawsuit brought by Planned Parenthood, the ACLU and others tackles the law banning most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, influencing another even stricter six-week ban signed by Florida Gov. DeSantis. Abortion rights supporters aren’t hopeful of the outcome.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Fall Booster Shows Promise In Battling New Variants; The Post-Roe Dystopia Is Here
Editorial writers delve into new covid variants, abortion, psychedelics, and more.
Teen Reported Dead After Eating Extremely Spicy Tortilla Chip
The mother of a 14-year-old Massachusetts boy says her son died after taking part in Pacqui’s “One Chip Challenge,” which involves eating a chip dusted with some of the spiciest chili peppers in the world. Among other news, research links traumatic brain injuries to cognitive decline later in life.
Louisiana Has Highest Firearms-Related Death Rate For Children
A recent study points to a worsening of the gun death rate among children, with Louisiana “sadly leading the way,” Axios reports. In other news, a California judge has temporarily paused a school district’s policy of forcibly outing trans students to their parents.