Latest KFF Health News Stories
New Supreme Court Term Opens On Heels Of Far-Reaching Abortion Ruling
The conservative-majority court is back in session starting Monday. Environmental protections, election law, and gay rights are already on the justices’ docket, and other health-related cases are expected.
Rural Medicare Programs Extended In Short-Term Spending Bill
The congressionally-passed bill that keeps the federal government funded through mid-December included two Medicare programs. The Medicare Dependent Hospital program would have otherwise expired, while the Low-Volume Hospital program would have lost expanded eligibility criteria, Modern Healthcare reports.
Newly Approved ALS Drug Priced At $158,000 Annually
Amylyx Pharmaceuticals revealed its recently FDA-approved Relyvrio drug would cost about $12,500 per 28-day prescription. The drugmaker noted it would give the drug free to certain uninsured patients. Separately, reports say the “Ice Bucket Challenge” actually helped fund Relyvrio’s development.
Arizona Judge Declines To Suspend Ruling Blocking All Abortions
Pima County Superior Court Judge Kellie Johnson said abortion providers would likely fail in their appeal that challenges her ruling that a Civil War-era law should be enforced. Meanwhile, Reuters reports how Vice President Kamala Harris is encouraging female Democrats to fight for abortion rights.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on covid, abortion, psychotherapy, HIV, and more.
Viewpoints: Certificate-Of-Needs Laws Are A Health Care Disaster; How To Cope With Anosmia
Editorial writers delve into these public health topics.
Lawsuits Claim Acetaminophen During Pregnancy Harms Fetuses
Bloomberg reports “dozens” of lawsuits are aimed at Walmart, CVS, and other pharmacy chains with claims store-branded acetaminophen caused later child behavioral disorders.
Scientific Attention Focuses On Role Of Microbes, Fungi In Tumors
Scientists are examining whether microbial signatures may help locate cancerous tumors, and into how fungi get into tumors. A $49 million grant to boost Alzheimer’s research, and diversity in medical research are also in research news.
Kids With Head Lice Can Stay At School, AAP Says
The American Academy of Pediatrics says it’s not a sign of poor hygiene and that sending children home can result in “significant stigma and psychological stress.” In other news, studies show vaping is less risky than smoking, and coffee drinking is linked to longer life.
At Heart Of Spy Case, A Plot To Leak US Medical Records To Russia
A Maryland doctor and her spouse were arrested in a sting operation that claims to have caught them trying to give medical records on potentially influential U.S. figures to Russia, news outlets report. Also: a bill to reduce rabies shot costs and “vague” promises on health care in the temporary spending bill.
Judge: HHS Must Restore Full 340B Drug Payments Until 2023
Modern Healthcare reports on a decision from District of Columbia Judge Rudolph Contreras, who found that a Health and Human Services Department lower reimbursement rate was “defective.” Meanwhile, Michigan joins efforts to crimp costs from contract travel nurses.
Oregon Receives $1 Billion To Expand Medicaid Coverage
The federal money will guarantee ongoing free health care for “tens of thousands” of young kids in lower-income homes and boost coverage for low-income young adults, the Oregonian reports. AP links the expanded coverage to health-related climate change expenses.
FDA Authorizes Contentious ALS Drug That May Slow Disease Decline
The drug manufactured by Amylyx Pharmaceuticals has been shown in a small study to slow the progression of ALS, a fatal neurodegenerative condition also known as “Lou Gehrig’s disease.” Patients and disease advocates have been lobbying the FDA to approve the therapy — the first new one 5 years — but some scientists question if enough study has been done.
Suicide Rates Rise, Spotlighting Pandemic’s Mental Health Toll
After two years of decline, U.S. suicide rates rose 4% in 2021 over the previous year. Among 15- to 24-year-olds, the increase was 8%. Experts say the numbers are part of an escalating national mental health crisis exacerbated by the covid pandemic.
Fla. Nursing Homes, Hospitals Evacuate Patients Amid Power, Water Outages
Mary Mayhew, CEO of the Florida Hospital Association, said 16 hospitals across the state had evacuated or were in the process of evacuating Thursday afternoon, NBC News reported. Kristen Knapp of the Florida Health Care Association told AP 43 nursing homes evacuated about 3,400 residents as of Thursday morning, mostly in southwest Florida.
Covid Attacks The Heart, Study Finds; Monkeypox Blamed In Ohio Death
The small study showed that patients who died from covid sustained DNA damage to the heart. In separate news, the CDC has issued a new warning about monkeypox after a third U.S. death is recorded.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Who Should Get The Bivalent Booster?; It’s Possible To Eradicate Human Rabies Deaths
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health topics.
Telehealth Startup Cerebral In Spotlight For Treating Minors
The telehealth service had systems in place to verify customer IDs, but was not using them to check details such as age, a report in the Wall Street Journal states, leading to minors being treated without parental consent. Meanwhile, in Oregon, hospitals sue the state over alleged mental health care failures.