Latest KFF Health News Stories
‘It’s A Big, Big Deal’: In Milestone, Pig Kidney Successfully Tested In Human
The organ was transplanted into a brain-dead woman at N.Y.U. Langone Health. It was successfully attached and found to work normally, although the longevity of the organ is still in question. The surgery could offer hope to the more than 90,000 people who are on waiting lists for a kidney.
In Major Shift, Hearing Aids May Soon Be Sold Without A Prescription
For decades, the FDA has regulated hearing aids as medical devices, which adds to the cost and effort of getting fitted for one. The FDA’s draft rule, which still faces a 90-day comment period before it’s finalized, would allow hearing aids to be sold over the counter.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Different Takes: FDA Needs To Stop Complicating Boosters; Vaccine Donation Is Taking Too Long
Opinion pages examine these covid and vaccine topics.
Viewpoints: What Else Can MRNA Vaccine Technology Do?; Examining The Personal Impact Of SB 8
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health concerns.
FDA Approves First Biosimilar Alternative To Arthritis Drug Humira
Stat reports that although the Food and Drug Administration has approved the interchangeable biosimilar drug, questions remain over whether it will really impact health systems. In other news, the FDA rejected the Omeros drug narsoplimab, aimed at aiding bone marrow transplant complications.
Racism Declared A Public Health Crisis By New York City Board Of Health
The resolution declaring racism a public health crisis also calls on New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to review the city’s health code to root out structural racism. Meanwhile, Texas passes an anti-trans student ban concerning public school sports.
WHO Pushes For Poorer Nations’ Access To Merck’s, Other Covid Drugs
A World Health Organization program is trying to make covid tests and treatments easier to access for poorer nations, aiming at getting antiviral drug course prices down to as low as $10. Separately, Pope Francis has urged “a gesture of humanity” from drugmakers to release IP on covid drugs.
Provision Banning Federal-Backed Spending On Abortion Left Out Of Funding Bills
It’s the first time in decades that Senate Democrats have moved to ditch the Hyde Amendment from annual funding bills. Hyde controversially bans people from using Medicaid or other federal health programs to fund abortions. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court will speed a review of Texas’ abortion law.
Goodbye, $3.2M Salary: Washington’s Top-Paid Employee Fired Over Vax Rule
Washington State football coach Nick Rolovich was dismissed Monday for not following the statewide mandate. “We’ve had conversations that date back months,” Athletic Director Pat Chun said. “He was resolute in his stance. He’s entitled to make a choice; that choice did not put him in compliance.”
UnitedHealthcare Launches Telehealth Care-Centric Insurance Plan
UnitedHealthcare is the country’s largest insurer, and the goal is to make telemedicine more affordable and accessible — but a survey reported by NPR notes “most” people still prefer in-person medical services, even if telehealth works out “OK.” Medicaid, Amazon and more are also in the news.
Colin Powell’s Health Conditions, Age Linked To His Death From Covid
News outlets note former Secretary of State Colin Powell was battling multiple myeloma, which may have contributed to his death from covid complications — as would his age. Reports note that deaths from breakthrough infections like this remain very rare, and stress the ongoing risk to seniors.
FDA To Allow You To Get A Different Type Of Booster Than Your Initial Shot
News outlets report on an upcoming decision by the Food and Drug Administration about which covid booster shot regime it will support, and it looks like a “mix-and-match” approach is expected. AP reports on why boosters weren’t “tweaked” to better tackle covid variants.
Yet Another Reason To Get Vaxxed: Covid Patients May Face Steep Bills
Insurance companies have started charging patients for hospital, physician and paramedic care, CIDRAP and other news outlets report.
EPA To Regulate Water-Contaminating PFAS Chemicals Linked To Cancer
Media outlets report on a new plan from the White House to regulate pollutant toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) chemicals in drinking water and food. PFAS substances have been linked to cancer, infertility and other health issues.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Worries Emerge Over Delta-Plus Mutation As Britain Suffers Covid Surge
Former U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb has called for scientists to look into a potential “delta-plus” mutation of covid, suspected to be linked to a current covid surge in the U.K. Meanwhile, Japan is reported “puzzling” over a sudden, dramatic drop in cases.
Opinion writers examine these covid and vaccine topics.
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health issues.
Alaska Hospital Supply Issues Highlight National Shortage Of A Chemo Drug
Abraxane, used to treat some advanced cancers, is in short supply due to manufacturing delays. Separately, reports say Biogen’s potential treatment for a rare form of ALS has failed a key late-state clinical trial, by not showing significant benefits for ALS patients compared with a placebo.