Latest KFF Health News Stories
Tennessee Law Barring Adults From Helping Girls Get Abortions Is Delayed
The law, which is being challenged in court, makes it a crime for any adult who “intentionally recruits, harbors, or transports” a pregnant child without parental consent. Meanwhile, Texas sees a 56% increase in maternal deaths from 2019 to 2022.
Civil Rights Groups Sound Alarm Over Trump’s Agenda Targeting Gender Care
The former president’s position on LGBTQ+ issues has shifted over the years, but his second-term agenda is said to target gender care providers, worrying civil rights groups. Meanwhile, Stat reports an anti-pharma campaign bus is touring in swing states, though its funding remains unknown.
White House Touts Progress In Its Efforts To Stem Gun Violence
After the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act became law in 2022, more than 8,000 gun sales to youth and domestic abusers have been blocked after background checks. The White House also says homicides are down 17% and mass shootings this year are down 20%.
FDA Approves At-Home Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine, Will Be Available Next Year
The FluMist vaccine will be able to be ordered from an online pharmacy, but it will still require a prescription. Meanwhile, U.S. covid levels decline, while whooping cough cases surge.
Many Lawsuits Over Femur Risks Of Merck Drug Fosamax Can Now Proceed
More than 500 lawsuits, which a U.S. appeals court revived on Friday, allege Merck & Co. failed to warn patients that its osteoporosis drug Fosamax raised the risk of thigh bone fractures. Separately, a J&J subsidiary has filed for bankruptcy for the third time as part of its tactic to tackle thousands of lawsuits alleging its talc products caused cancer.
States Have Until Dec. 31 To Report On Medicaid Enrollment Problems
CMS also wants states to have plans in place to fix deficiencies and has set a Dec. 31, 2026, deadline for them to become fully compliant with enrollment policies. Also: California’s social media law, gender-affirming care in Missouri, emergency services in Wyoming, and more.
CMS To Unveil Five-Pronged Plan To Reduce Health Care Cyberattacks
The strategy will be outlined in the coming months, Modern Healthcare reported. In other news, Lehigh Valley Health Network has agreed to pay $65 million to settle a case in which it was accused of failing to safeguard sensitive patient information, including nude photos of cancer patients.
First Edition: Monday, Sept. 23, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. Today’s selections are on racism in health care, sickle cell, autism, the gun violence epidemic, and more.
Viewpoints: Public Distrust In Science Is Dangerous; How To Tackle The Rural Health Care Crisis
Editorial writers delve into these public health issues.
Florida Accused Of Overreach As It Uses Taxpayer Cash To Fight Abortion Issue
Even as Republican leaders seek to preserve the state’s six-week abortion ban, Florida health officials are warning providers that they face regulatory actions if they don’t offer life-saving care to pregnant women in emergency situations.
FDA Catches Indian Drugmaker Destroying Crucial Inspection Papers
The documents were needed to verify testing and manufacturing practices at Granules, a company in Telangana, India, that supplies generic medications to the U.S., officials say. More pharmaceutical news is on migraine meds, HIV supplies, inhalers, and more.
Ex-Outcome Health Executive Gets 7 Months In Prison For Role In $1B Fraud
Ashik Desai was the star witness against his bosses in a trial last year, the Chicago Tribune reports. Other news is on Optum layoffs, Allina Health, the Mayo Clinic, and more.
Cigna Scaling Back Medicare Advantage Offerings In 8 States In 2025
Modern Healthcare reports that the move by group’s health insurance unit will affect members of certain health plans in Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah. Meanwhile, Atrium Health cancels many past medical debt judgments.
LA County Public Health Announces 2 More Cases In Dengue Cluster
The two new locally acquired cases are from the same area where the first case was reported last week. In other state news: vaccine hesitancy and the Minnesota measles outbreak; an “epidemic” of antipsychotic drugs in Mississippi nursing homes; and more.
Mpox Vaccines Administered In Africa For The First Time
Several hundred high-risk individuals were inoculated in Rwanda. Meanwhile, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention warned that the outbreak in Africa is still not under control, with cases rising in several countries.
Congress OKs $3 Billion Stopgap For VA
The appropriations measure comes with a stipulation that the department explain why it has a budget shortfall. Also, veterans at five facilities in the Pacific Northwest and Ohio are being alerted that prescription drug copayments soon will be required once again.
Scientists Pinpoint Which Animals May Have Spread Covid At Wuhan Market
The list of animals included the raccoon dog, hoary bamboo rat, dog, European rabbit, Amur hedgehog, Malayan porcupine, Reeves’s muntjac, Himalayan marmot, and masked palm civet. The new research doesn’t prove that the animals were infected by the virus, CNN explains, but that their DNA was found very near the virus, creating a strong possibility the animals were infected at the market. NPR takes an even deeper dive into the market’s “Stall A.”
First Edition: Friday, Sept. 20, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Gov. Beshear Halts Conversion Therapy For Minors In Kentucky
The Democratic governor’s executive order that outlaws the disproved practice, which is intended to change a person’s gender identity or sexual orientation, goes into effect immediately. Plus: news from Indiana, New York, Massachusetts, Illinois, Alabama, California, and elsewhere.