Latest KFF Health News Stories
Planned Parenthood Leaders Plan Next Steps In Fight For Abortion Rights
Organization leaders from 24 states met in California on Friday to discuss how to copy the Golden State’s success across the nation. Meanwhile, some conservative Republicans are softening their rhetoric on abortion.
Biologist Renee Wegrzyn Chosen As ARPA-H’s First Director
Wegrzyn, President Biden’s choice for the role, formerly worked as a scientist at DARPA. Separately, the Boston Globe reports on efforts by local power brokers to attract the new new health research agency to be based in Massachusetts. Meanwhile, in FDA news, funding negotiations are heating up.
Breakthrough Discovery IDs How Air Pollution Causes Lung Cancer
Scientists announce the results of research that determines how tiny particles produced by burning fossil fuels are leading to cases of lung cancer in non-smokers.
Health Fund For 9/11 First Responders And Survivors Is Falling Short
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says he will work to appropriate an additional $3 billion in federal funding to help keep the program afloat.
Likely Telehealth Fraud Cost Medicare $128 Million During Pandemic’s First Year
Federal investigators with the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General find that 1,714 doctors and health providers billed Medicare nearly $128 million in “high risk” claims during the first year of the covid pandemic when telehealth restrictions were eased.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health topics.
Health Risks Worsen As Western Heat Wave Smashes September Records
While the Washington Post reminds us that the heat wave is still not yet over, USA Today notes heat waves are the “single most deadly” natural disasters faced by the U.S., and are true “mass casualty events.” Other news comes from Illinois, Texas, North Carolina, Michigan, and Maryland.
Fentanyl Displacing Heroin In DC, Causing Heroin Overdoses To Fall
The Washington Post’s report on drug use in the capital notes the devastating impact heroin had, and how it’s now being replaced almost entirely by use of fentanyl. A side effect of this is dropping heroin overdose rates. Other news includes Narcan and test strips, and developments in opioid settlements.
Mississippi Set To Lose Its Only Burn Center
JMS Burn and Reconstruction Center, at Merit Health Central in South Jackson, will close Oct. 14. The pandemic and the ongoing staffing shortage are to blame. Also: Strikes at Pennsylvania nursing homes, the cost of medical care, JP Morgan investing in a digital health company, and more.
Wisconsin Hospital Orders Those With Vax Exemptions To Get Novavax Shot
The hospital said in a statement, “This protein-based vaccination option eliminates conflicts for those staff with religious or medical exemptions caused by mRNA-based vaccines and other concerns.” Staff have until Sept. 21 to get a first dose or will be considered “voluntarily resigned.”
US To Develop Over-The-Counter Covid Tests For People With Disabilities
The Biden administration announced Thursday that it has earmarked $300 million for covid test improvements, which include making the tests more user-friendly.
Officials Study Role Of Monkeypox In Second US Death
Media outlets report on the death of a patient with monkeypox in Los Angeles County, with health officials examining if the diagnosis of the virus was linked to the death. Other monkeypox news includes vaccine eligibility for men with HIV, and questions about the dose-sparing vaccine effort.
FDA Warns Breast Implant Scar Tissue Linked To Cancers
Though cancers caused by breast implants may be rare, the Food and Drug Administration is now warning that all types of implants may be linked to increased risk of malignancies in scar tissue around them. Separately, the FDA approved a new anti-wrinkle drug.
Arteries, Valves Fused To Existing Heart In First Partial Transplant
The surgery was performed on a newborn with truncus arteriosus at Duke Health in North Carolina, and is said to be the world’s first partial heart transplant. USA Today reports, meanwhile, that the U.S. is expected to pass 1 million solid-organ transplants Friday, with the surgery on the rise.
Biden Administration Unwinds Trump-Era ‘Public Charge’ Policy For Immigrants
Green card applications will no longer be impacted by a person’s use of government-funded services like Medicaid or SNAP. The revised final rule, issued by the Department of Homeland Security on Thursday, formally eases health care access for noncitizen immigrants. The Biden administration had previously stopped enforcement of the Trump-era policy.
Doctor Groups Warn ‘Confusing’ Post-Roe Landscape Jeopardizes Patients
Four health organizations, including the American Medical Association, urge state officials to clarify their abortion laws: “Without such guidance, we are deeply concerned that our patients will lose access to care and suffer irreparable harm.” Meanwhile, President Joe Biden leaned into the abortion issue during a speech to Democratic activists.
Abortion Amendment Will Be On Michigan Ballot, State Supreme Court Says
Michigan Supreme Court justices ruled 5-2 that the question of a state constitutional amendment to enshrine abortion rights would go before voters in November. Anti-abortion activists and Republican members of the state’s election board tried to have the ballot measure stricken over font size and typos in the petition text.
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 booster shots, abortion, mental health, human sexuality, useful apps, a troubled surgeon, and more.