Latest KFF Health News Stories
Editorial writers weigh in on birth inequity, Ozempic, mental health, and more.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
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 organ donation, hospice, therapy, abortion, and more.
Viewpoints: Is Your Online Pharmacy Illegal?; Ohio Governor Misleads On Abortion Amendment
Editorial writers tackle illegal pharmacies, abortion, racism in health care, and more.
Shuttered Wastewater Tracking Sites Are Hindering Covid Surge Detection
Wastewater tracking is an effective way to identify new covid outbreaks, but a quarter of the U.S.’s test sites are indefinitely closed over a contract dispute between a testing company and the CDC. Separately, data show that just 2% of children have received updated covid shots.
Military Suicides Dipped In 2022, Bucking A Worrying Upward Trend
The pattern, reported by the AP, isn’t particularly simple, however: While overall suicide deaths in the U.S. military are slightly down, reversing a decade-long rise, deaths from suicide were up among active-duty troops. Meanwhile, the Europe-wide salmonella outbreak is linked to chicken and chicken kebab products.
New York Bans Corporal Punishment In Private Schools
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the law on Wednesday after it was unanimously approved by the state legislature earlier. Meanwhile, in Florida, a decision over cheap drug imports from Canada is delayed, and in Montana, rural volunteers are trying to make up gaps in the EMT service.
CDC Data Shine Spotlight On Health Care Worker Mental Health, Burnout
Against a backdrop of data showing nearly half of health care workers often felt burned out in 2022, lawmakers introduced a bill to support additional funding for nursing programs in community colleges. Modern Healthcare reports on the impacts of California’s new health care minimum wage bill.
Don’t Give Probiotics To Preterm Babies, FDA Warns After A Death
The risk comes from potentially invasive and fatal infections or disease carried by live organisms in the probiotics. Among other news, the FDA gave approval for a treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy; the agency also approved an ulcerative colitis treatment from Eli Lilly.
Maine’s ‘Yellow Flag’ Gun Law Scrutinized After Mass Shooting
State law does restrict the possession of guns by people suffering mental challenges who are deemed to be a danger to themselves or others, AP reported. The “yellow flag” law requires a medical professional’s opinion. Other states, however, go further with “red flag” laws that allow the temporary confiscation of a person’s firearms.
Democratic Lawmakers Aim For Paid Time Off Following A Pregnancy Loss
Miscarriages are common, affecting an estimated 10% to 20% of known pregnancies. While some employers support staff after a miscarriage, there’s no national program. The bill would also push the NIH to educate the public about miscarriages.
HRSA Policy Change Could Mean Some Outpatient Clinics Lose 340B Discounts
The Health Resources and Services Administration reversed a policy change which could hit some hospital outpatient clinics’ eligibility for the 340B drug discount program. The change was made in 2020 to expedite the certification process, and hospitals had expected it to remain permanent.
Over $1 Billion In AIDS Relief Funding Held Up By Abortion Politics
Republican congressional lawmakers are holding up President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief funds — a global program that has been reauthorized with bipartisan support since its 2003 inception — after a conservative group said it indirectly funded overseas abortions. The Biden administration and other groups dispute the claim.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Red Meat Consumption Has Health Consequences; Why Are Young People Getting So Sick?
Editorial writers examine red meat consumption, disability in young Americans, abortion and more.
Bags Of Precut Onions Linked To Salmonella Outbreak In 22 States
73 people fell ill, including 15 who were hospitalized, in a salmonella outbreak linked to bagged, precut onions. Consumers who have relevant bags from Gills Onions of Oxnard should not eat or serve them, health officials said. Meanwhile, in San Diego a restaurant is linked to 13 E. coli cases.
Research Roundup: Pneumonia; Vitamin C; Heart Balloons; And More
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
Since Roe V. Wade Ended, Abortions Have Risen 6% In California
In other news, U.S. senators are exploring a new way to go around Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s military blockade over Pentagon abortion rules.
Advisers Say High-Risk Men Should Get Mpox Shots Even After Outbreak
Government health experts advised the CDC director that gay and bisexual men at high risk for mpox infection should get vaccinated after the current outbreak comes to an end. Among other news, an anti-mask mandate passes in the Senate; Texas’ House approves a ban on covid shot mandates; more.
As Hacks Hit Health Care, Biden Admin Launches New Cybersecurity ‘Toolkit’
The goal of the new toolkit, available at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency website, is to help health care services protect their systems, and it includes both basic cyber hygiene and complex tools. Meanwhile, key Republicans signaled opposition to CMS nursing home staff rules.