Latest KFF Health News Stories
Concerns Over Response Grow As US Monkeypox Cases Reach 700
The Department of Health and Human Services said it will distribute an extra 144,000 doses of the two-shot Jynneos monkeypox/smallpox vaccine starting Monday. But reports draw concerning parallels between the monkeypox response and the early failures of the covid-19 pandemic.
Covid Shot Tally For Under-5s Slowly Rises: 300,000 With At Least 1 Dose
Media outlets report that the pace of covid vaccinations for the youngest age group is slow, but now around 300,000 under 5 years old have had at least one shot. This is, however, only around 1.5% of the roughly 19.5 million youngsters in this cohort.
Omicron Subvariants Mean Outdoor Covid Risk Is Different Now
Media outlets report on the rise of omicron BA.5, and how subvariants like this are leading to new covid surges and have potentially increased the risk of catching covid in some outdoor situations which had previously been considered less risky.
Biden To Issue Executive Order Preserving Elements Of Abortion Access
Under increasing pressure from his own party, President Joe Biden is expected Friday to sign the abortion rights order, directing the Department of Health and Human Services to shore up access to abortion medication, reach out to doctors on patient protections, and review possible updates to the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act. The order will also beef up enforcement of birth control measures in the Affordable Care Act.
Hurdles Would Make It Difficult For Patients To Seek An Abortion In Canada
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, has written to the Department of Homeland Security asking for protections for Americans who cross the Canadian border for abortion care. Distance and finances would make the option unviable for most in the U.S. though.
Democrats Aim To Shore Up Medicare By Raising Taxes On Some High Earners
Senate Democrats are expected to soon submit legislative language to the parliamentarian for review. The proposal would raise an estimated $203 billion over ten years in order to push out the start of Medicare insolvency from 2028 until 2031.
California To Manufacture Its Own ‘Low Cost’ Insulin
“Nothing epitomizes market failures more than the cost of insulin,” Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, said in announcing the plan. California’s budget allocates just over $100 million for the development and production of the medication. Meanwhile, Republican senators call for hearings on a national plan to tackle the high costs of insulin.
Study Suggests Younger Black Leukemia Patients Die Earlier
In other research news, people with Down syndrome are sought to help with Alzheimer’s studies; a smartphone-based device to diagnose ear problems; the difficulties of combating Leishmaniasis for HIV patients; and a study finds that being “hangry” may be a real thing.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Congress Could Learn From Mark Cuban’s Drug Company; US Health Insurance Is Absurd
Editorial writers examine these public health issues.
Research Roundup: Cancer; Covid; Croup
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Different Takes: Can 13th Amendment Protect Abortion Rights?; Overturning Roe May Criminalize IVF
Opinion writers weigh in on the consequences of losing abortion rights, monkeypox and covid vaccines for kids.
In Uncommon But Significant Move, NC Budget Defines Treatment For Opioid Disorder
The move on funding is set to change how people with addiction get treatment, says North Carolina Health News. Meanwhile, a small, rural Florida county saw nine deaths from fentanyl overdoses over the July 4 weekend, just shy of the entire number of such deaths in 2021.
Truth Prevails: Study Links Lying Less To Better Health
Notre Dame researchers found that lying less leads to better mental and physical health. Separately, a shocking story reported in the New York Times details children dying by choking and a lawsuit against TikTok that claims those choking deaths came after viewing a challenge on the social media platform.
Over 2 Billion Faced Moderate Or Severe Hunger In 2021, UN Says
Around 2.3 billion people were moderately or severely hungry, says the United Nations, and it’s also concerned that the invasion of Ukraine has sparked further famine. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization is saying that Europe is in the middle of a new covid surge due to summertime activities.
Mental Preparation Is Key To Surviving Gun Violence, Experts Say
No matter where you go, safety experts say, you should have an escape route mapped out in your head. As Americans wrestle with the reality that nowhere is safe, authorities investigate how the alleged Illinois shooter was able to buy a rifle despite his troubled mental health background.
FDA Plans Continued Support For Overseas Baby Formula Imports
The Wall Street Journal reports long-term imports are going to be supported by federal health regulators even after the current shortage is solved. The court battle between Juul and the Food and Drug Administration, AbbVie’s tax situation, the pig-heart transplant and more are also in the news.
State Blocks Plan To Close Connecticut Maternity Ward
The maternity ward at Windham Hospital had been scheduled for permanent closure, but the state Office of Health Strategy denied the application. In Medicaid news, St. Anthony Hospital is allowed to sue Illinois over delayed payments. Also: “phantom” doctors, the Epic-Tata lawsuit and more.
Glitch Hits New York Monkeypox Vaccine Program
Meanwhile, in Hawaii, health officials are distributing monkeypox shots to close contacts of people who’ve contracted the virus. Media outlets report on the rising number of cases across the country, and the world. A report in NBC News covers one man’s painful experience with the illness.
4 Covid Jabs Protect Against Omicron; BA.4, BA.5 Strains Can Evade 3 Doses
Researchers studying the highly contagious strains also tested the ability of 19 monoclonal antibody treatments to neutralize them and found that only one of the available treatments remained highly effective against both BA.2.12.1 and BA.4 and BA.5, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.