Latest KFF Health News Stories
Nearly Every Protein’s Shape Predicted By AI System
The New York Times reports on a startling development from artificial intelligence lab DeepMind which could impact the future of drug research and development. A potential new candidemia treatment, discoveries on how covid’s spike proteins harm heart cells, and more are also reported.
Spotlight Falls On HIV Prevention Drugs, With Some Criticism Of Makers
Stat reports on criticisms that ViiV’s generic HIV-preventing drug will not be available for up to four years. Cheap local copies of GSK’s anti-HIV drug could be available sooner. ADHD drugs and Rite Aid, a data breach at OneTouchPoint, soaring profits at Pfizer, and more are also in industry news.
Hopes For Seniors’ Health Cost Reduction Seen In Spending Deal
AP reports on cautious optimism raised by moves by Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin to help the budget bill pass. Meanwhile, the Washington Post notes drug companies’ profits are under unusual threat due to the deal. Democrats also plan to try to add insulin price protections in.
Veterans Denounce Republicans Who Blocked Senate Burn Pits Bill
After legislation that would expand health care for U.S. military veterans exposed to toxins during their service failed to pass a procedural vote when 25 Republicans reversed their position from a June vote. Veterans’ groups, and one of their high-profile advocates Jon Stewart, blasted the development.
HHS Warns Insurers Of Penalties If Birth Control Is Not Covered
The Departments of Health and Human Services and Labor have been fielding an increasing number of complaints from patients who have been denied birth control coverage since the Supreme Court’s landmark abortion decision. HHS issued clarification guidance Thursday telling insurers that contraceptive coverage is still required under the Affordable Care Act.
‘What About My Life?’ Young Girl Asks W.Va. Lawmakers Poised To Pass New Abortion Ban
As West Virginia prepares to pass the first new legislation since the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision that bans abortion, a 12 year old’s comments made national news. The bill allows the criminal prosecution of doctors who perform the procedure. Legislative and court developments from Indiana, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and other states are also reported.
Booster Program Won’t Be Expanded Until Fall When Retooled Shots Available
The Biden administration’s plans to allow adults under 50 to get a fourth covid shot have been set aside in favor of waiting for the next generation of Moderna and Pfizer’s booster tailored for omicron.
San Francisco, New York Declare Monkeypox An Emergency
Those two areas are among the hardest-hit by the viral outbreak. U.S. health officials, however, stressed that monkeypox can still be stopped in its tracks, and the Department of Health and Human Services said 1.1 million new vaccines will soon be available.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Research Roundup: Pan-Coronavirus Vaccine; Long Covid; Supplemental Vitamin D; Cell Movement
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Viewpoints: The Next Covid Vaccine May Be A Nasal Spray; Broader-Protecting Covid Vaccines Needed
Editorial writers discuss covid, vaccines, monkeypox, abortion and more public health topics.
The Pandemic Traveling-Nurse Money Train Halts
The Wall Street Journal reports on the status of the traveling nurse industry. Separately, Modern Healthcare covers Medicare pay hikes for some health care sectors. Other industry news covers Cassava Sciences, antimicrobial resistance, approval for a drug to treat kids’ kidney disease, and more.
Heat Wave Duration Records May Fall In Pacific Northwest
Dangerous triple-digit heat forecasts extend into the weekend for parts of the Northwest. In Texas, Sen. Ted Cruz has words on a law banning gay sex; an anti-vax doctor is suing over defamation; and Gov. Greg Abbott is setting aside $1.25 million for counseling after the Uvalde shooting.
As Opioids Claim More Lives, FDA’s Internal Review Faces Scrutiny
Also in the news about opioids: proposed legislation aimed at helping older adults addicted to opioids and a lawsuit settlement from AbbVie’s Allergan. Meanwhile, legislation is approved in a bipartisan vote by the House for PFAS research and a bill to help veterans access health and disability benefits is delayed in the Senate.
Gun Manufacturers Defend Industry At Hearing; AR-15s Made Makers $1B
News outlets report on how gun manufacturers faced questions, including from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, on gun violence and white supremacy. AP notes the AR-15 weapons used in recent mass shootings were big earners for a decade. HIV/AIDS cures, vitamin D and more are also reported.
Obesity Protection Later May Come From Being Breastfed Longer
Meanwhile, other research makes progress on the production of artificial human eggs and on the question of why men die younger than women. Uterine cancer rates, telehealth treatment of veterans, treatments for opioid use disorder, and various covid studies are also reported.
Bacteria That Causes Melioidosis Found In US Soil, Water For The First Time
The bacteria, Burkholderia pseudomallei, was discovered in Southern Mississippi, leading the CDC to put U.S. doctors on alert. “This is a big deal because clinicians generally speaking only consider melioidosis in patients who have recent travel to an endemic area like Thailand, South Asia, Australia,” Julia Petras, an epidemic intelligence service officer with CDC’s bacterial special pathogens branch, told STAT.
Biden, Negative For Covid, Tells Americans To Get Their Shots
Meanwhile, media outlets report on standards at the Food and Drug Administration concerning covid vaccines and accusations the BA.5 booster strategy may be flawed. Separately, warnings that millions of school kids remain unvaxxed, and a reminder many people still can’t smell after covid infections.
Key Health Measures Make Cut Of Surprise Spending Package Deal
Sens. Chuck Schumer and Joe Manchin have reached agreement on a long-stalled economic package to raise taxes and address domestic spending goals. Health items include prescription drug pricing reforms that would allow Medicare to negotiate prices and cap out-of-pocket costs at $2,000. Tax credits that help lower health insurance costs would also be extended another three years.
Conservatives Divided On Exceptions To Abortion Bans
As many Republican-controlled legislatures draft abortion bans, fissures are emerging over questions like whether exceptions should be included in cases of rape or incest, or to save the life of a mother. Other abortion stories focus on VA services and deadly infections.