Latest KFF Health News Stories
Despite Concerns For Roe, Sinema’s Defense Of Filibuster Stays Firm
Some abortion supporters are calling for the Senate to throw out the rule that requires 60 votes to stop a filibuster so that Democrats can pass legislation to guarantee abortion rights through legislation. But Sen. Kyrsten Sinema says in a statement that the filibuster has been an important tool to help protect the rights of women. Also on Capitol Hill, Republicans are setting a new plan for drug pricing.
Scientists: Covid Can Cause IQ Drop, Worsen Asthma In Children
In separate reports, scientists looking into the virus behind the covid pandemic have discovered an infection can worsen asthma in children, that a severe infection can drop a person’s IQ by 20 points, and that infections during pregnancy are linked to worse maternal health outcomes.
The company also said it would give up nearly all its marketing of Aduhelm, its Alzheimer’s drug. In other news, the Gates Foundation expects Melinda Gates to remain with the organization and two large healthcare-focused real-estate investment trusts plan to merge.
Swift, Fiery Reaction On Display In Demonstrations, Global Attention
Protests erupted across the nation after the Supreme Court leak, including outside the court itself. The news also echoed around the world, spurring alarm and criticism. In Canada, the prime minister went as far as emphasizing the rights of Canadian woman to choose.
FDA: Annual Covid Shots Expected
Top Food and Drug Administration officials said they expect annual covid shots will be necessary. In other news about covid, Pfizer offers advice to patients who used its Paxlovid and had relapses, and the new BA.4 and BA.5 variants appear to be reinfecting covid survivors.
Jumble Of State Abortion Laws About To Get Even More Complicated
Existing state abortion laws are already a conflicting patchwork of restrictions and protections. That’s about to get worse as lawmakers vow to take further actions on surgical and medication abortions. Meanwhile, Oklahoma’s governor signs a 6-week ban into law.
Contraception, Other Privacy Issues At Risk, Legal Experts Warn
The privacy language framed in the Supreme Court draft abortion opinion raised red flags for lawyers and Democratic lawmakers, who warn that the same arguments could be used to roll back access to birth control, gay marriage and other such protections.
Poor, Minorities, People With Higher-Risk Pregnancies Imperiled In Post-Roe World
Media outlets look at the maternal health impacts of overturning of Roe v. Wade, highlighting that minority women have the most to lose, that more births will occur in a nation where pregnancy itself is getting riskier, and that the costs associated with abortions will rise.
Biden, Democrats Condemn ‘Radical’ Supreme Court Abortion Draft Opinion
Fallout in the nation’s capital was swift to news that the Supreme Court is poised to strike down Roe v. Wade. Chief Justice John Roberts confirmed the authenticity of the draft opinion and launched an investigation into how it was leaked. President Joe Biden and Democratic lawmakers blasted the majority decision, while Republicans’ reaction was more muted. The future of legislative action is unclear though, especially with the upcoming midterm elections.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Different Takes: Can The CDC Regain Public Trust?; Covid Is Still A Pandemic For Young Kids
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid issues.
Editorial writers examine these public health topics.
California’s Population Decline Continued In 2021
The pandemic was partly to blame for California’s population declining for the second year in a row. Developmental issues in pandemic babies in Wisconsin, Kansas expanding postpartum care and more are also in the news.
Denmark To Destroy A Million Unused, Expiring Covid Shots
Danish health officials said Monday that efforts to donate the unused shots — around 81% of Danes have had two shots already — had failed. Meanwhile, in South Africa a surge of covid cases is worrying experts who suggest the pattern may be repeated in the U.S. soon.
Becerra Wants More Money For Mental Health Treatment
The secretary of Health and Human Services said he wants Congress to appropriate more money to bring mental health treatment up to the level of physical ailments. Other news on mental health includes updates of the suicides on a berthed Navy ship, Naomi Judd’s death and climate-change anxiety.
New Alzheimer’s Vaccine To Get FDA Fast-Track Approval Process
Vaxxinity, a biotech company from Texas, announced its candidate Alzheimer’s vaccine was designated “fast-track” by the Food and Drug Administration. Meanwhile, the FDA suspended a study of a diabetes stem-cell therapy due to “insufficient information” in support of higher dosing.
Major Insurer Restricts Coverage Of Aduhelm
UnitedHealthcare says the drug is “unproven and not medically necessary.” In other news on the health care industry, large not-for-profit health systems are recording windfalls from their investments that are offsetting significant operating losses.
Vice President Harris Returns To The Office After Covid
Vice President Kamala Harris is resuming her regular routine today and will deliver remarks at a conference tonight of abortion-rights supporters. In other Washington news, concerns about Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s ability to represent California are growing louder.
Texas AG Criticized For Inaccurate Medical Claims On Trans Health Care
Meanwhile, in 18 states lawmakers are planning “refuge” bills to help transgender youths and their families who have been displaced by anti-trans laws passed in conservative states. Also: a push to reduce toxic chemicals in Boston schools, avian flu outbreaks in Alaska, Oklahoma, and more.
Covid Climbing Yet Again Throughout US
The new BA.2.12.1 variant was responsible for 29% of new coronavirus infections and they are on the rise across the country.