Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Lithium In Drinking Water May Be Linked To Higher Autism Risk: Study
A study performed in Denmark, which has lithium levels in drinking water that are similar to the U.S., mapped out where pregnant people lived in relation to the concentration of lithium in the water, CNN reported. As lithium levels rose, there was a slight increase in the risk of autism diagnoses. Researchers cautioned that they did not show a direct link between autism and lithium in water.
Minn. Man Dies From Rabies Despite Post-Exposure Treatment
Fox News reports on the fatality, which marks the first reported U.S. death due to rabies in someone who received appropriate treatment, according to a report in Clinical Infectious Diseases. Other health and wellness news is on infertility, listeria, seasonal allergies, and more.
Some People Who Suffered Covid Shot Injuries Haven’t Yet Been Compensated
A paralysis case following a dose of Johnson & Johnson’s covid vaccine is detailed by KOMO, noting that though the patient sought government compensation via the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program, no response has been sent a year and a half later.
Experts: ‘Excited Delirium,’ Often Cited By Police, Shouldn’t Be Cause Of Death
Explaining the move by the National Association of Medical Examiners, AP reports that critics of the term argue it’s commonly used to justify excessive police force. Sexual assaults of female patients in an Iowa hospital, rural hospital mergers, and more are also in the news.
FDA Finds Dozens Of Issues At Troubled Eye Drop Maker’s Factory
CBS News says the problems revealed in FDA inspection records of Global Pharma Healthcare Pvt Ltd’s property in India include dirty equipment and clothing as well as safeguard and procedural errors. Separately, data show Mounjaro may eclipse Ozempic as an effective weight loss drug.
Nevada Has More Superbug Fungal Infections Than Other States: CDC
Specifically, AP says southern Nevada is the place where the highest number of potentially lethal, antibiotic-resistant fungus infections happen. Meanwhile, in North Dakota, an effort to force educators to ignore trans students’ chosen pronouns was defeated.
Viewpoints: States Can And Should Protect Free Preventive Care; Endometriosis Needs New Treatment
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
White House’s Cancer Plan Frames ‘Moonshot’ Goals To Cut Deaths By Half
The Biden administration released Monday its National Cancer Plan, outlining 8 goals in its “Cancer Moonshot” initiative to prevent the disease, reduce mortality, and improve the quality of life of patients with cancer.
Millions Could Go Uninsured Now That Medicaid Autorenewals Have Halted
With pandemic requirements on states to keep Medicaid recipients enrolled now lifted, news outlets report on various efforts underway to reach out to some of the estimated 15 million who are at risk of losing coverage. But worries grow that many will fall in insurance gaps.
ACA Premiums Rise 3.4% Due To Inflation, Uncertainty Over Subsidies
A new report finds that monthly premiums for 2023 Affordable Care Act insurance plans are higher than last year. That reversal in recent trends is attributed to inflation, increased health spending, and marketplace uncertainty over whether Congress would extend subsidies.
Florida’s Republican-Led Senate Advances 6-Week Abortion Ban
The state currently has a law banning abortions after 15 weeks, and though this earlier ban is being challenged in court, the new bill would tighten restrictions even further. It’s expected to become law. Other abortion-related news is from Utah, Texas, Kentucky, Ohio, and Montana.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Biden’s Salary May Impact Battle Over Health Executive Pay
A bid to limit hospital executives’ pay in Los Angeles may pivot on an unusual point, the Los Angeles Times reports: the pay of the president himself. Also, “float pools,” funding for community health workers, executive changes at CVS health care delivery services, UnitedHealth Group, and more.
J&J Again Blocked From Using Bankruptcy Move Over Talc Payouts
A court ruled that a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary company cannot stay in bankruptcy, which was its intended strategy for dealing with tens of thousands of lawsuits over its talc products. Eye drops, cancer treatments, epidermolysis bullosa, weight loss drugs, and more are also in the news.
Syphilis On The Rise Among Newborns In US And Canada
Cases of syphilis, a disease easily controlled by antibiotics, is surging among babies born in the U.S. and Canada. Separately, a new study shows that ignoring social media can actually improve your general and mental health.
Some Official Investigators At Ohio Train Incident Fell Ill, CDC Says
CNN, reporting the news, notes that seven U.S. government investigators briefly fell ill with sore throats, headaches, nausea, and coughing in March while studying health impacts of the toxic train derailment. Among other news, Sen. John Fetterman, a Democrat, was released from hospital.
Research Reverses Idea That Moderate Drinking Is Good For You
News outlets cover the results of a new analysis of alcohol research, which shows that a drink of alcohol or two per day is not healthier than no alcohol at all, different from what was once thought. Separately, the CDC has warned of the risks of eating raw cookie dough amid a salmonella outbreak.
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
Justice Department Appeals Judge’s Block Of ACA’s Free Preventive Care Measure
The White House said Friday that the Justice Department is appealing a Texas judge’s decision to strike down the Affordable Care Act’s requirements that insurance plans cover preventive care, such as some cancer screenings and drugs like PrEP. Meanwhile, news outlets examine the impact on public health and patients if the ruling stands.