Latest KFF Health News Stories
Doctors Successfully Transplant Pig Hearts Into Two Newly Dead Patients
“In the recently deceased, the focus is on learning, studying, measuring and trying to really unravel what is going on in this brand new, incredible technology,” said Dr. Robert Montgomery, a transplant surgeon at NYU Langone, where the operations took place. In other science news: organ donations on death row, CRISPR, cancer vaccines, fighting dementia, and more.
‘Superbugs’ Surged, Killed More In Pandemic’s Early Days: Study
A new report shows a 15% surge in 2020 of deaths from bacteria resistant to antibiotics, as doctors tried to combat covid infections with medications at the start of the pandemic and thus allowed the bacteria to evolve. But other reports note hospital safety had been improving before covid.
Justice Dept. To Challenge States To Prevent ‘Overreach’ On Abortion
The task force will monitor and evaluate state and local legislation and determine whether the federal government should bring legal action. Also, Democratic lawmakers schedule a series of hearings in Congress on the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision, which guaranteed a right to abortion.
A Potential Game-Changer: Novavax Shot May Get FDA Authorization Today
The two-dose covid vaccine uses protein-based technology that has been used for decades. Health experts hope this will persuade people who are skeptical of mRNA technology to get the Novavax jab.
Pointing To Covid Surge, White House Urges Americans To Get Boosted
The BA.5 subvariant of Omicron is responsible for about 65% of covid cases, officials say, and could push infections higher in coming weeks. They urged eligible people to get vaccine booster shots now and not to wait for potential updated boosters targeting Omicron subvariants.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers tackle covid, vaccines, drug overdoses, and mental health.
Nov. 15 Is When We’ll Reach 8 Billion Humans Alive: UN
The prediction made by the United Nations also says that India will overtake China as the most populous nation in 2023. Meanwhile, in Florida, Big Olaf Creamery is now recalling products after it was linked to a multistate outbreak of listeria, where at least one person has died.
Anti-Trans Sports Bill Vetoed By Pennsylvania Governor
Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, said the bill would harm “marginalized youth” and chastised lawmakers, whom he said should be ashamed of pressing the bill. Also in Pennsylvania, nursing home trade associations reached a deal to boost staffing levels, after a 20% Medicaid payment boost.
Opinion writers tackle abortion issues.
1 In 6 Calls To Suicide Prevention Line Go Unanswered
The Wall Street Journal reports that 1.5 million calls of the over 9 million made to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline from 2016 to 2021 were abandoned by callers or disconnected before a counselor could respond. The service is poised to expand and transition to the new 988 number soon, but NPR cautions many states aren’t ready.
Millions To See Credit Report Changes With Medical Debt Removal
The three major credit reporting bureaus have removed some medical debts from reports, effective July 1. Separately, a case at the Supreme Court will likely determine if Medicaid providers and patients can sue states over improper payments.
8 In 10 Americans Have Weed-Killer Traces In Their Urine
CBS News covers the staggeringly high share of U.S. adults and kids found with traces of glyphosate in their urine as part of a survey made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A cancer cluster in a Long Island school district, poor air quality in California, and more are also reported.
To Combat Health Risks, CDC To Boost International Air Contact Tracing
Reuters covers plans by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to better trace health risk contact tracing from international flights. And Bloomberg reports the White House is set to extend, again, the covid public health emergency after the current extension expires Friday.
President Touts Gun Legislation But Admits ‘It’s Not Enough’
In his Monday speech marking the passage of gun safety legislation, President Joe Biden talked about “everyday places that have turned into killing fields,” thanks to gun violence. The father of one of the victims of the 2018 school massacre in Parkland, Florida, interrupted the president’s speech: “You have to do more,” Manuel Oliver told him.
Minnesota Judge Throws Out Most Abortion Restrictions
The judge said the state constitution protects abortion rights and that a variety of restrictions — including a mandatory 24-hour waiting period, requirements that only doctors perform abortions and a rule that abortions after the first trimester be performed in hospitals — can’t be enforced.
After Roe Reversal, Many Autoimmune Patients Denied ‘Gold-Standard’ Drug
Patients across the U.S. — even in states where abortion is protected — are being refused access to methotrexate, a safe, inexpensive, and effective treatment for about a dozen autoimmune conditions.
Biden Administration May Soon Allow All Adults To Get Second Booster Shot
But another dose for those younger than 18 would require regulatory approval, The New York Times reported. Meanwhile, the federal government announced it is buying 3.2 million doses of the Novavax vaccine, which does not use mRNA technology.
Hospitals Can Perform Abortions To Save Mother In Emergencies, HHS Says
Federal law on emergency treatment requires medical providers to provide abortion services if the life of the mother is at risk and preempts any state laws banning abortions. State laws restricting abortion do permit exceptions for the life of the mother, but doctors say they are often confused about what they can do under the abortion bans some states are setting.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.