Latest KFF Health News Stories
FDA Approves Drug For Rare Niemann-Pick Disease Type C
The genetic disorder, which is fatal, affects the nervous system and other organs — IntraBio’s drug Aqneursa was shown to help reduce symptoms compared to a placebo. Separately, Amgen reported success for eczema and myasthenia gravis treatments.
Cellphone Carriers Start To Shift 988 Callers To Local Help Centers
New cellphone systems mean callers to the 988 suicide and crisis line will have their calls routed to help centers based on their location. Among other news, the former clinical director of Maryland’s main state-run mental hospital had his medical license suspended for a harassment issue.
Contaminated Missouri Creek Will Get Radiation Hazard Signs
Coldwater Creek in suburban St. Louis has exposed generations of children to radioactive material left after World War II, the Missouri Independent reports. Meanwhile, the EPA’s data on the Ohio train derailment is said to obfuscate contamination levels.
Watch ‘Meet The Makers’: Behind The Scenes Of ‘Silence In Sikeston’ Project
KFF Health News’ Midwest correspondent Cara Anthony sat down with WORLD executive producer Chris Hastings to discuss the origins of our “Silence in Sikeston” project, a multimedia collaboration from KFF Health News, Retro Report, and WORLD that explores the impact of a 1942 lynching and a 2020 police shooting on a rural Missouri community.
Catholic Employers May Ignore EEOC Directive On Abortion, IVF, Judge Rules
In granting a preliminary injunction, the judge signaled the rule is a violation of freedom of religion. Meanwhile, Senate Republicans blocked a resolution that would have guaranteed access to abortion care in emergency situations.
Sanders Grills Novo Nordisk CEO Over High Cost Of Weight Loss Drugs
The Vermont independent says he has secured pledges from the major PBMs that they would not limit coverage of Ozempic and Wegovy if the company lowers its list prices — an announcement that CEO Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen says he wasn’t aware of heading into the congressional hearing.
First Edition: Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Strange Symptom With West Nile Virus; GOP Health Insurance Plan Would Exclude Many
Editorial writers tackle these public health issues.
Senate Democrats Seek Another Vote On Emergency Access To Abortion
The unanimous consent effort is intended to show just where lawmakers stand on this issue ahead of November’s general election. It is not expected to pass.
Citing Fraud And Device Misuse, HHS Seeks Check On Remote Patient Care
As more patients switched to remote patient monitoring, the cost to Medicare ballooned to $311 million, up from just $15 million in 2019 before the covid-19 pandemic. Also in the news: telehealth addiction treatment, the organ transplant network, and more.
New Yorker Infected With EEE Dies; Vt. Mosquito Testing Shows Improvement
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, on Monday announced ways the state will try to curb the disease’s spread, including making mosquito repellent available to visitors at state parks and campgrounds.
Lawsuit Accuses Epic Systems Of Monopolist Practices In EHR Market
In addition to seeking damages in its lawsuit, Particle Health wants Epic to discontinue its alleged anticompetitive practices in regards to patient data.
Amneal Pharmaceuticals Sues To Block Colorado’s Free EpiPen Push
Colorado’s law, passed last year, to make Amneal provide free generic EpiPens to pharmacies is facing a challenge from the company, which argues it’s effectively an illegal property taking. Among other news, Purdue Pharma’s settlement talks with the Sackler family are extended to November.
Jurors Reject Mental Illness Argument For Colorado Supermarket Gunman
Lawyers for the gunman, who fatally shot 10 people in a Boulder grocery store in 2021, tried to argue his mental illness made him incapable of knowing right from wrong. Jurors disagreed. Other news includes a battle over a DuPont trust, the drug-related death of a trans activist, and more.
HIV Infection Rate Tumbled By 20% In San Francisco Last Year
The number of new diagnoses in 2023 was 133, the lowest it has been in decades. The abrupt drop in infections represents a success after years of slow progress against the disease. Also in the news: A study shows diabetes drug metformin might slow aging.
About 1 in 10 of survey respondents indicated they are severely obese. It’s too soon to know whether obesity treatments and drugs will ease the problem, researchers say. Meanwhile, Novo Nordisk’s CEO is expected to testify today in a Senate panel hearing about the high cost of weight loss drugs.
First Edition: Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: How Easily Could Obamacare Be Dismantled?; More Menopause Research Is Crucial
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health issues.
Appeals Court Revives PhRMA Lawsuit Against Medicare Drug Negotiations
Reuters reported that the court did not address the merits of the case, only that a Texas judge was wrong to dismiss it in February. Meanwhile, the Federal Trade Commission has accused the three largest pharmacy benefit managers of inflating insulin prices.
Congress Agrees On Stopgap Funding Bill, Likely Averting Federal Shutdown
The plan does not include any part of the SAVE Act, which would have required proof of citizenship to register to vote. House Speaker Mike Johnson and former president Donald Trump had pushed hard for its inclusion. Also: SNAP benefits and the PACT Act.