Latest KFF Health News Stories
Final Rule Issued On How Surprise Bill Disputes Should Be Settled
The Biden administration regulation continues to largely rely on median in-network rates in such dispute settlements, which providers have objected to. But one modification from an earlier plan says other information can shape arbiters’ determinations of an out-of-network rate.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers examine these public health issues.
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 simulated surgery, covid, body image issues, radon, and more.
Coloradans May Soon Get Prescription Drugs That Came From Canada
The state is making efforts to lower prescription drug prices by sourcing them from Canada, and has signed contracts with two wholesalers. AP reports on extraordinary damages in Oklahoma “wrongful life” cases, and a Kentucky effort for lower care prices for older adults.
Different Takes: Doctors Have Power In Abortion Fight; Is Miscarriage Now A Crime?
Opinion writers weigh in on abortion rights, monkeypox and pandemic readiness.
FDA Warns Nicotine Gummy Maker About Illegal Products
The fruit-flavored candies could cause nicotine poisoning if ingested by kids. “Nicotine gummies are a public health crisis just waiting to happen among our nation’s youth, particularly as we head into a new school year,” FDA Commissioner Robert Califf said in a statement.
Small Pharmacies Had Restocking Issues Amid High Adderall Demand
Nearly two thirds of community pharmacies said they had trouble ordering the drug at the end of July and the start of August, at a time when Bloomberg notes demand is at “all-time highs.” Also: more opioid settlements, the revival of an old hair loss medicine, custom gene therapy, and more.
Late-Stage Cervical Cancer Up; 1 In 2 Cancer Deaths Preventable, Study Says
Stat says while overall cervical cancer is declining, one exception is late-stage disease. CNN covers a study that says nearly half of all deaths from cancer around the world are linked to preventable risk factors. Meningococcal disease in Florida, polio in NYC, and more are also in the news.
Biden Administration To Stop Paying For Covid Drugs, Will Shift Costs To Insurers
A report in the Wall Street Journal covers an important evolution in the pandemic: The Biden administration will soon shift the cost of vaccines and treatments to the health care industry. Meanwhile, Dr. Anthony Fauci is urging Black Americans to get their covid booster shots.
CMS Says States May Have To Report On Medicaid, CHIP Quality Metrics
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is proposing mandatory reporting for the first time, to boost use of standardized quality measures and identify disparities among enrollees. A budding legal fight over CMS’ proposed cuts for home health reimbursements is also reported.
Kaiser Permanente Staff Strike Spreads To Hawaii
Fifty Kaiser Permanente mental health care workers in Hawaii will join colleagues in Northern California in a strike over patient access to mental care. (Note: KHN is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.) Meanwhile, a delayed licensing issue in Wisconsin is hitting staff.
Amid Roe Reversal, McConnell Admits GOP Might Not Retake Senate In Fall
The Republican Senate minority leader blamed “candidate quality,” but Democrats have been flooded with campaign cash since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June. A special election next week in Woodstock, New York, could be a preview of things to come for Republicans, analysts say.
Democrats Trumpet Coming Savings From Health And Climate Law
Biden administration officials and Democratic lawmakers are hitting the road to promote the recently enacted Inflation Reduction Act in advance of the midterm elections — especially since much of the impact will not be felt by consumers until after November.
FTC Cracks Down On Tech Firm It Says Is Revealing Visits To Abortion Clinics
The Federal Trade Commission has threatened to sue Idaho-based company Kochava. The company denied the accusations and said Thursday that it would create a “privacy block” service that would remove health location data from its marketplace.
LGBTQ Groups Frustrated Over Racial Disparity In Monkeypox Effort
Politico reports on data showing Black and Latino men who have sex with men are more likely to catch monkeypox than white men, and government efforts aren’t addressing this. Other media outlets report on “striking” racial disparities in infection rates. Meanwhile, worries over the vaccine rollout deepen.
Kentucky Supreme Court Says Abortion Ban Stays Active During Arguments
The state’s strict abortion ban will stay in place during legal challenges, Kentucky’s Supreme Court decided. Meanwhile in Arizona, a judge will hear arguments about enforcing that states’s strict ban. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra visited Arizona to promote abortion rights.
Another 1.8M Monkeypox Jabs Open To Orders Next Week, With Caveats
The White House is accelerating distribution of monkeypox doses for any jurisdictions that have used up 90% of existing supplies and will deliver the shots intradermally. The Biden administration is also reserving an allotment for upcoming gay pride events.
WHO Says Monkeypox Shot Not Perfect Solution; Breakthroughs Happening
The World Health Organization is still looking into the efficacy of monkeypox vaccines. Officials warned the shots don’t offer total protection. Fortune notes breakthrough infections have occurred. Meanwhile, the Guardian says smallpox shots may protect from monkeypox only temporarily.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.