Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: Psychiatrists Are Overwhelmed And Burned Out; Music Has A Powerful Effect On Stress
Editorial writers discuss psychiatrist overwhelm, music therapy, public health issues and more.
Florida Gunman Who Killed 3 Was Once Detained For Mental Health Crisis
But because Ryan Christopher Palmeter, 21, was not arrested during the previous domestic incident, the Jacksonville sheriff said there was “nothing we could have done to stop him from owning a rifle or a handgun.” Authorities say Palmeter tried and failed to enter a historically Black college before going to a Dollar General store, where he killed three Black people using an AR-15-style rifle.
FAA Investigates 5,000 Pilots Who May Have Concealed Health Conditions
The Washington Post reports that many pilots are suspected of falsifying records to hide health issues or mental health disorders that could disqualify them from flying.
CMS Readies List Of 10 Drugs That Will Be First In Medicare Price Negotiations
The agency must identify by Friday the drugs that will be included in the first-ever round of price negotiations with Medicare, though CMS officials have signaled that the list could be published earlier this week. Meanwhile, drugmakers continue to push back.
More Teens Beginning To Show Up In ERs With Covid As School Starts
CDC data shows that emergency room visits for youths ages 12-15 with covid have doubled over the past week. CIDRAP reports on rising markers for covid activity in the U.S. and around the world.
Over 80% Of Health Care Leaders Say Hiring, Keeping Talent Is A Top Risk
The same percentage for other industries, Axios says, is about 71%. Meanwhile, clinician burnout remains a problem. In other news: Massachusetts doulas are advocating for higher pay; data breaches affect 350,000 people in Texas; and ransomware hits nurses’ paychecks in Connecticut.
To Tackle Opioid Payouts, Pharma Industry Players Try Bankruptcy
Drugmaker Mallinckrodt on Monday said the company filed for a second bankruptcy in 3 years in the U.S., which will reduce its debt by about $1.9 billion. And The Wall Street Journal reports that Rite Aid is also preparing bankruptcy filings to address lawsuits over the opioid crisis. Also in the news: drug shortages.
US Lacks Protections As More Are Hurt, Killed From Extreme Heat At Work
The AP reports that state and federal agencies are “scrambling” to find ways to tackle the issue of heat-related injuries and deaths among U.S. workers. Shade deserts in many cities are a problem, another report explains. And many schools lack air conditioning.
Legal Moves In Texas, Missouri Bring Bans On Trans Youth Care Into Effect
Meanwhile, the AP reports conservatives are now targeting bans of LGBTQ+ “conversion therapy,” put in place to protect LGBTQ+ adults and kids from the discredited practice. Also in Missouri, the state health department quietly removed youth sexual health, LGBTQ resources from its website.
As Wisconsin Supreme Court Goes Liberal, AG Tackles Anti-Abortion Law
In what’s being called a “seismic shift,” Wisconsin’s Supreme Court flipped to majority liberal, triggering many changes — including efforts by the attorney general to challenge a 19th-century anti-abortion law. And Pennsylvania, Politico reports, may be the next big abortion battleground.
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 read. This week’s selections include stories on rape, vaping, STIs, wheelchair football, transgender health, vaccines, and more.
Survey Finds Bullying Has Soared In Schools Over Past Five Years
The results come from the annual survey by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and Axios suggests years of pandemic disruption are to blame as students struggle with stress and peer relationships. Meanwhile, doctors have spoken up about another TikTok trend: smashing eggs on kids’ heads.
Medicaid Expansion In Michigan Includes Pregnant Women
CBS News says expanded coverage will include children with green cards and pregnant women, though the extra coverage may only impact about 3,000 people. North Carolina Health News digs into why so many are losing Medicaid. Other news is from Texas, West Virginia, and elsewhere.
Viewpoints: Who Should Take New Alzheimer’s Drugs?; Most Can Wait For New Covid Boosters
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health topics.
CDC Unveils New Sepsis Guidelines In Effort To Improve Survival Rates
Annually, at least 350,000 people die in the hospital or are moved into hospice care after developing sepsis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
West Virginia Can Block Sale Of Mifepristone, Federal Judge Rules
The decision is a blow to abortion-rights groups. GenBioPro, which makes the generic version of the drug, said it was considering “next steps.” In other abortion news: Ohio’s Republican Secretary of State agrees to a wording change on the state’s November ballot measure that is being criticized as “misleading and defective.”
Mark Your Calendars: New Covid Shots Reportedly Coming In Mid-September
“We are in our strongest position yet to be able to fight covid-19 as well as the other viruses that are responsible for the majority of fall and winter hospitalizations,” a CDC official told reporters Thursday. Also: pulse oximeters and their effects on care for Black and Hispanic patients.
Though There Were Fewer Health Care Hacks In Early 2023, They Were Bigger
The health industry has been hit by fewer but larger cybersecurity breaches in the first half of 2023, which experts suggest may show a shift in targets and tactics. Among other news, Cigna has removed preauthorization requirements for about 25% of medical services.
Wegovy Shown To Reduce Heart Failure Symptoms For Obese Patients
Separately, researchers are calling for governments to raise the legal smoking age to 22. Also: Charles River Laboratories signed an agreement to help protect horseshoe crabs, whose blue blood is useful for medical testing purposes.