Latest KFF Health News Stories
CDC Advises Covid Boosters For 5- To 11-Year-Olds
A key advisory panel at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has thrown its weight behind a third covid vaccine shot for children between 5 and 11. CDC director Rochelle Walensky approved the recommendation and also encouraged parents whose children have yet to get first shots to do so.
Oklahoma House Passes Anti-Abortion Bill Like Texas’, Only Stricter
Under the new law, “fertilization” is defined as the moment egg and sperm meet, and it also prohibits medicine-induced abortions (beyond when Plan B pills work). The bill moved to the desk of Gov. Kevin Stitt, who is expected to sign it. For more longer-read stories about abortion and the current threat to reproductive health in the U.S., scroll down to our Weekend Reading section.
Lawmakers Blame FDA, ‘Corporate Greed’ For Baby Formula Shortage
During a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing, lawmakers said a lack of action by the Food and Drug Administration and corporate greed played a large role in the serious and ongoing national shortage of baby formula. Politico notes the FDA refused to explain its slow responses.
FDA Won’t Totally Ban Phthalates Used In Fast-Food Packaging
The Hill reports the decision on the use of phthalates rebuffs advice of some scientists and environmental groups who say the chemicals, commonly used in fast-food packaging, are dangerous to health and can disrupt hormones. Meanwhile, a report covers how puberty is arriving earlier, baffling experts.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Research Roundup: MRSA; Covid; Fragile X; Influenza-Like Illness
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Viewpoints: What’s Causing Hepatitis In Kids?; Banning Abortion Will Have Adverse Effect On Military
Opinion writers tackle hepatitis in children, abortion, formula shortages, and covid.
Editorial writers weigh in on these various public health topics.
Congo Ebola Outbreak Fuels Worry Over More Virulent Strain
Meanwhile, in Spain, a proposal for expanding reproductive rights includes paid menstrual leave. In England, a surge in of bulimia hospital admissions, including among boys, is reported. And an analysis of the U.K.’s National Health Service found nearly 100 cases of objects left inside patients.
Request Made To Review Florida Medicaid Cost-Shifting Case
A three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had rejected arguments that the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association should be shielded from the whistleblower lawsuit because of sovereign immunity. The group wants the full panel to review it.
Missouri Now Tracking Drug Overdoses On Public Dashboard
State officials say the leading cause of death among Missouri adults ages 18 to 44 is by drug overdose, with more than 70% of the deaths involving opioids.
Pharma Industry Wins Case Over Patient Financial Assistance Payments
A Stat report notes the case is a win for the industry, which under a contested HHS rule would have had to pay higher rebates to Medicaid. In other pharma industry news, infamous “Pharma Bro” Martin Shkreli has been released early from prison, and the FDA is considering a “healthy” food label.
Officials Spotlight Abuses Of Medicare Advantage Coding
The coding process in private Medicare plan options need to be reformed, former and current officials have said, noting that health insurers’ use of coding to get higher payments is a problem. Also: Cerebral replaces its CEO, patient risks from ransomware attacks, and more.
Vice President To Meet With Abortion Providers
Amid the ongoing controversy over the Supreme Court leak on the ending of Roe v. Wade, Vice President Kamala Harris will speak virtually with abortion providers and engage with pro-choice advocates in the audience. Separately, a poll shows 64% of Americans support keeping Roe v. Wade.
Aftermath Of Buffalo Shooting Highlights Black Americans’ Poor Mental Health Care
Media outlets cover the race and mental health aspects of the recent shooting in Buffalo, New York, which underlines the lack of mental health care options for Black Americans. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports on how the shooting itself increased stress and trauma among Black communities.
Study: Vaccines Might Help Long Covid
A first vaccine dose after catching covid was associated with a 13% decline in the odds of having long covid, according to a British study published Wednesday in BMJ. Other news is on the effectiveness of covid vaccines and plans for the fall for a vaccine campaign.
White House Officials: Wear Masks Again
The surge in covid cases has Biden administration health officials advising people to again wear masks.
As Covid Surges Again, Masking Rules Are On The Table. Again
In New York, Mayor Eric Adams said he won’t reinstate a mask mandate even as health officials note covid hospitalizations are rising. But in Massachusetts, a coalition of public health leaders are pressing for stricter measures, including a mask recommendation. In Des Moines, indoor masking in city facilities may be mandated, even though an earlier rule was dropped only in February.
To Fix Shortage, Biden Empowers Military To Fly In Baby Formula
President Joe Biden invoked the Defense Production Act to attempt to solve the baby formula supply shortage. Military air cargo planes in “Operation Fly Formula” will bring formula from overseas. Separately, a $28 million emergency bill to help was passed in the House.
Massachusetts Man Has First US Monkeypox Case This Year
A small but growing global monkeypox outbreak has reached the U.S. A man is being treated in isolation at Massachusetts General Hospital. Officials say there is no current public health risk, but the disease can be serious. Other news includes a measles outbreak in Virginia and child hepatitis cases.