Latest KFF Health News Stories
FTC Probing Amazon’s One Medical Purchase
The deal is worth nearly $4 billion, and has been reported on as a big play by the retail giant to expand its health care operations. The Federal Trade Commission’s investigation may delay the deal. Insider reports that Amazon may also be trying to access Japan’s prescription drug market.
CVS Spending $8 Billion To Buy Home-Health Company Signify
CVS Health announced Monday a deal to acquire Signify Health in a move that would add 10,000 contracted doctors and clinicians to the pharmacy giant’s medical care offerings.
VA To Provide Abortions In Some Cases, Even In States Where It’s Banned
The Department of Veterans Affairs published an interim final rule Friday that would offer abortion services in all parts of the country to veterans and their beneficiaries when medically necessary or in circumstances of rape or incest.
Bivalent Boosters Are Here. Now What?
The updated covid shots from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna were authorized last week by the FDA and recommended by the CDC. Here’s what you need to know about getting the jab.
If Covid Distorted Your Sense Of Time, Don’t Panic: You’re In The Majority
A new study says a majority of Americans experienced a muddled sense of time during covid, with trauma from the pandemic experience to blame. Medical misinformation, future pandemic modeling, protection from previous covid infections, and more are also in the news.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Smelly Sweat Turns Out To Be A Good Thing; CDC Making Headway With Monkeypox
Editorial writers delve into these public health topics.
Different Takes: End Of Roe Has Negative Impact On IVF; Midwives Feel The Stress Of Post-Roe America
Opinion writers discuss reproductive rights, covid, and polio.
Arkansas Blocked From Banning Trans Minors’ Gender Care
A three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed an earlier ruling that had temporarily blocked Arkansas from enforcing a 2021 law banning children’s gender-affirming care. Also: A medical record issue in Utah prisons, parental leave in South Carolina, and other news.
E. Coli Infection Count Hits 84; Whole Foods Sued Over Antibiotics In Beef
The bacterial outbreak source is still unknown, reports Reuters, but a majority of the infected people ate sandwiches at Wendy’s. Separately, a lawsuit alleges Whole Foods beef labeled antibiotic-free contains traces. Plus, news on sleep, heat, and chronic disease.
White House Issues Directive To Make Federally Funded Studies Free To Public
In a “historic” move, the Biden administration also says the research should be made available immediately, instead of being kept behind a paywall for a year. Speaking to Stat, the New England Journal of Medicine editor-in-chief said at least a third of the journal’s roughly 200 yearly articles are connected to taxpayer funding.
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 the infant formula shortage, online medical data, mattresses-in-a-box, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and more.
Community Hospitals Hit Disproportionately By Covid: Study
A new study into “downstream” health care impacts of covid shows how community hospitals were more severely hit by central line-associated bloodstream infections and other care-associated infections during the pandemic. Also: Becker’s reports on the best hospitals to work for in each state.
CMS Pushes Back Controversial Radiation Oncology Model
Modern Healthcare says radiation oncologists oppose the model’s design, and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation wants to test whether it will save money. Under the new federal government rule, once a decision is made CMS must propose a new start date 6 months ahead.
Pfizer’s RSV Vaccine Found 86% Effective For Older Adults
The respiratory syncytial virus vaccine is experimental but has already been in clinical trials. Pfizer says there were no safety concerns. About 14,000 Americans die of RSV each year, reports say.
Abortion Access Shrinks With New Restrictions In Effect In 4 More States
Abortion “trigger laws” were enacted in Idaho, North Dakota, Tennessee and Texas this week. And a judge rejected a request for a temporary injunction on Florida’s 15-week ban. News outlets report on the barriers patients face even in states where abortion is still allowed.
Report Says Up To 4 Million Out Of Work Because Of Long Covid
This figure from a new survey is more than twice the number of earlier estimates. The cost of missed work hours may be around $170 billion a year. Also: variant covid rapid tests, covid in kids under 5, New Mexico’s governor has covid, and more.
Monkeypox Case Trends Hint At Progress In Curbing Spread
Globally, new reported cases declined 21% in the last week, though the World Health Organization says that numbers are still steeply climbing in the Americas. Officials in San Francisco and Los Angeles are also seeing signs that the outbreak is slowing in those areas.
No, Not Over: Covid Has So Far Killed 1 Million Worldwide This Year
The World Health Organization announced that global deaths have passed the “tragic milestone” of 1 million lost lives in 2022 due to covid.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations. Note to readers: KHN’s First Edition will not be published Aug. 29 through Sept. 5. Look for it again in your inbox on Tuesday, Sept. 6.