Latest KFF Health News Stories
Georgia, Kentucky Lawmakers Try To Restrict Medication Abortions
A Georgia Senate bill was passed that requires a woman to see a physician in person before being given access to abortion pills, thus restricting the option to mail pills to women in need. Kentucky lawmakers also advanced efforts to restrict medication-by-mail abortions.
Study Links Premature Menopause To Dementia Risk
In the preliminary study, hitting menopause before 40 led to a 35% higher risk for developing dementia in later life. Also, separately, aging faster in adulthood is linked to being obese, smoking, or having a psychological disorder diagnosis in adolescence.
In Supreme Court Opioid Pill Case, Hints Of Support For Doctors
The AP notes two doctors imprisoned for writing thousands of pain medication prescriptions in short periods may be favored by justices’ thinking. Stateline reports that states are likely to resist the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s proposal to ease opioid prescription restrictions.
Credit Reports Of US Consumers Show $88 Billion Of Medical Debt
Separately, a report in Axios says the National Bureau of Economic Research found higher hospital prices aren’t necessarily correlated to better medical outcomes. A medical tech defamation lawsuit, pressures faced by medical tech startups, and more are also in the news.
Nursing Staff Shortage, Driven By Pandemic, Likely To Get Much Worse
In North Carolina, an analysis shows the state could have 21,00 too few nurses by 2033. In Kentucky, a bill aims to boost nursing school enrollment to fight an oncoming shortage.
Pfizer Vaccine Highly Effective During Omicron For Kids 5-11, New Data Show
The vaccine wasn’t very effective in stopping children from getting the disease. However, for those who did get sick, it was very effective at preventing severe illness.
What Causes Long Covid? New Study Offers Clues
Experts warned that the study, led by researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital and the National Institutes of Health, was very small and had “biased data.” Regardless, the results suggested that long covid might be driven by long-term nerve damage, NBC News reported.
Proof-Of-Vaccine Rules Set To Lift For Hawaii Travel
The lifting of covid travel restrictions to Hawaii will happen on March 26. Meanwhile, major cruise lines like Carnival and Norwegian are going mask-optional onboard ships. News outlets cover lifting, and maintenance, of mask mandates in other venues across the U.S.
Republican Rebuttal Echoes Criticisms Of Biden’s Pandemic Measures
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, chosen by Republicans to deliver the traditional post-State of the Union response, focused on debates surrounding schools including covid protections. News outlets report on other scenes from around the House chamber.
Veteran Health, Nursing Home Safety Among Health Issues Biden Spotlights
President Joe Biden called on Congress and the Department of Veterans Affairs to do more to address health issues caused by military burn pit exposure. He also spoke on his proposed overhaul of nursing home regulations, in the wake of dangerous pandemic conditions.
‘New Moment’: Biden Voices Optimism On The State Of The Pandemic
During his State of the Union speech, President Joe Biden said that the tools are in place to allow most Americans to safely remove masks and restart normal activities. “Thanks to the progress we have made this past year, covid-19 need no longer control our lives,” he said, while also cautioning that the virus has not gone away.
‘Test To Treat’ Program Aims To Make Antivirals Quicker To Access
President Joe Biden unveiled a new initiative that will provide free access to antiviral covid treatments for patients who test positive at designated pharmacies or community centers. Another round of free home tests was also announced.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Latin American Progress On Abortion Rights; Changing How We View Opioid Treatment
Editorial pages tackle these public health topics.
Nevada Joins Low-Cost Northwest Prescription Drug Consortium
A low-cost prescription drug effort advances in Nevada. In New Mexico, a bill allows broad access to fentanyl test strips to combat drug deaths. In Missouri, $25 million went to a construction company to aid hospitals during covid. Other news comes from, Ohio, Florida, Utah, and North Carolina.
Different Takes: A Statistician’s View On Covid Vaccines For Kids Under 5; Another Look Into Aduhelm
Opinion writers weigh in on covid issues and Alzheimer’s.
EpiPen Maker Agrees To $264 Million Antitrust Settlement
The settlement was for a class-action lawsuit alleging Viatris, formerly Mylan, acted illegally to monopolize the epinephrine auto-injector market. Meanwhile, UC Berkeley lost a patent case as the Patent and Trademark Office said CRISPR tech belongs to the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT.
You Can Now Ask Alexa Some Telehealth Questions
Some virtual health services from Teladoc Health are now available over the Amazon voice assistant. In other news, Mayo Clinic reported a large operating surplus in 2021; a study links higher anesthetic costs to private equity-backed physician management companies; and more.
Virginia Republicans Delay Legal Pot Sales
A House of Delegates subcommittee voted along party lines to push a recreational marijuana sales bill until next year’s legislative session. In South Dakota, lawmakers also thwarted efforts toward recreational weed. Meanwhile, smokable legal medical marijuana is on sale in Minnesota starting today.
Life On Earth Will Be Hotter, Deadlier Sooner Than Thought, Report Warns
The report released Monday by a panel of U.N. experts says countries aren’t doing nearly enough to save the planet from climate hazards that will create unparalleled human suffering.