Latest KFF Health News Stories
Oklahoma House Approves Near-Total Abortion Ban
The few exceptions to the near-total ban, which uses Texas-style private citizen-suing tricks, include if pregnancy poses a risk to the mother. Meanwhile, in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, signed legislation that would lower out-of-pocket expenses for people seeking abortions.
First Child Cancer Patients From Ukraine Arrive For US Treatment
The arrival of four children with their families to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital marks the first time a U.S. facility has welcomed Ukrainian patients displaced during Russia’s invasion — with reports saying 10 hospitals completely destroyed so far. Separately, refugees are reportedly stretching poor nations still impacted by covid.
Trans Suicide Rates Influenced Utah Governor’s Veto Of Sports Bill
The move by Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican, was explained in an “emotional plea” in an official letter Tuesday. But Utah lawmakers have already agreed to meet Friday to discuss an override of Cox’s veto, to continue their efforts to suppress young trans students competing in girls sports.
The Pandemic Drove US Alcohol-Related Deaths Up 25% In 2020
Meanwhile, a separate study from Boston Children’s Hospital showed referrals for intimate partner violence also increased during the pandemic. Suicide rates on the Golden Gate Bridge are part of another study, and Fox News covers the recently reauthorized Violence Against Women Act.
Using Brain Implant, Fully Paralyzed Man Spells Out His Thoughts
The patient, 34, had been diagnosed a few years earlier with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and is now in a “locked-in” state. What did he ask for? Letter by letter, he made a request in German. Translated, he said: “For food I want to have curry with potato then Bolognese and potato soup.”
St. Jude Uses Donations To Cultivate Bequests, Challenge Wills
ProPublica reports on tactics St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital employs to build one of the most lucrative charitable bequest programs in the U.S. “Think of all the fees for lawyers that didn’t go to St. Jude, not one child, not one cancer patient. Where is the sanity in all this?” said one person who won a court battle with St. Jude over a family member’s estate.
FDA: Baby Formula Factory Had Cleanliness Problems Before Recall
Media outlets cover the Food and Drink Administration’s uncovering of unsanitary conditions at the Abbott factory five months before a recall of baby formula was prompted by a cluster of illnesses and two deaths. Separately, Pfizer is recalling a blood pressure drug because of potential carcinogenic impurities.
Nursing License Delays Frustrate Would-Be Health Workers
NPR covers the impact that delays on issuing nursing licenses have on the workforce. Meanwhile, Connecticut Public reports on how hard it is to attract new physicians to the area. Other health care personnel news includes Black therapists on TikTok, students training for abortions, and more.
White House Spokesperson Reinfected By Covid; Hillary Clinton Tests Positive
A positive covid test is keeping White House press secretary Jen Psaki from another international presidential trip. Announcing her second infection, Psaki said she had two recent “socially distanced meetings” with President Joe Biden — who tested negative Tuesday. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also has covid.
Travel Industry Reps Urge Biden Administration To Drop Mask Mandate
The U.S. Travel Association and a union for Texas-based Southwest Airlines flight attendants ask the Biden administration to lift the federal requirement for masked travel.
Supreme Court Nominee Defends Her Record On Handling Child Sex Abusers
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson weathered some intense questioning from Republicans, who challenged her sentences for people convicted of child sex abuse as well as several hot button issues such as critical race theory and transgender rights.
Fast-Moving Subvariant BA.2 Advancing Toward Dominance In US
A genomics company says that its data shows that “stealth omicron” is already responsible for most new covid infections, while the CDC says it accounts for 1 in 3 cases. As those trends indicate that the highly transmissible subvariant is gaining traction, experts urge the U.S. to prepare.
Program That Funds Covid Testing And Treatment For The Uninsured Runs Dry
The provider relief fund, which was created to help hospitals and community health centers seeing decreased revenue or increased expenses because of the pandemic, was launched with more than $100 billion in 2020, and later legislation added about $78 billion.
US Out Of Money For Buying Second Covid Booster Shots, Official Says
Federal officials have secured enough doses to cover a fourth shot for Americans age 65 and older as well as the initial regimen for children under 5, if authorized by regulators, officials told The Washington Post. But the lack of new covid money in the spending bill passed this month by Congress is undermining efforts to stockpile more vaccine doses.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Different Takes: Most People Shouldn’t Fret About BA.2; How To Plan For The Next Covid Wave
Opinion writers tackle these covid issues.
Viewpoints: Tennessee Should Remove APRN Restrictions; Vaccine Mandates Are Lawful
Editorial writers examine these public health topics.
Overriding Governor’s Veto, Ky. GOP Doubles Down On Cutting Food Stamps
Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear has called the legislation to end the covid emergency — which would result in a large decrease in monthly SNAP benefits — a “cruel bill” that would significantly hurt residents of rural counties. But Republicans in charge instead furthered the myth that welfare recipients don’t want to work. “Help wanted signs are up everywhere,” GOP Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer said in a floor speech. “If you are an able-bodied, healthy Kentuckian, there is no excuse for you to not have a job.”
Billions Of People Breathe Dirty Air As Every Nation Flunks Health Guideline
A new report says no country has met the World Health Organization’s Air Quality Standard. Meanwhile, Ukraine is set to receive 50 ventilators donated from Maryland, Hong Kong lifts its flight bans, and more.
Insurers Increasingly Cut Payment For Consultation Codes
Modern Healthcare reports that more insurers are adopting a policy of denying providers’ claims that include a consultation code. The pandemic’s toll on the medical support community, a shortage of primary care physicians in Michigan and more are also in health industry news.