Latest KFF Health News Stories
Trump Picks Former Rep. Doug Collins To Lead Veterans Affairs Department
Collins, a Republican and a previous lawyer for Donald Trump, would take charge of the VA and its massive health care programs. Collins is a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command.
Measles Cases Rise As Vaccinations Fall; Is It A Sign Of Things To Come?
Globally, measles cases surged 20% in 2023, the CDC said Thursday. The news comes just as Donald Trump has nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy has advocated against covid-19 vaccines and has repeated the debunked claim that childhood vaccines cause autism.
Medicaid, Medicare, Vaccines, Disease Surveillance, Drug Safety — And RFK Jr.
New outlets explore what’s at stake for the broad array of health programs run by the federal government should vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. take the helm at HHS.
Agency Workers, Scientists ‘Aghast’ At Role RFK Jr. Could Play As HHS Head
Leaders in the scientific community, biopharma world, and veterans of the federal health agencies provide wide-ranging reactions to the news that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will be nominated as the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Unhealthy Conditions At Georgia Jail Violate Rights, Justice Department Says
In other health news: Meta will appeal court rulings over “addictive” social media apps; a school event in Missouri is linked to an E. coli outbreak; an abortion clinic “buffer zone” is challenged in Illinois; and more.
First Edition: Friday, Nov. 15, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Treated Wastewater Still Might Contain Dangerous Pathogens, Study Finds
Researchers found evidence that listeria, E. coli, norovirus, and adenovirus — pathogens that likely hitched a ride on plastic fragments — can still be detected in treated water. In unrelated news, meningococcal disease is on the rise in the U.S., CDC data show.
Ohio Bill On Trans Student Bathroom Use Heads To Gov. Mike DeWine
The bill cleared the Ohio Senate on Wednesday. In South Carolina, an eighth grade transgender student sues his school district and the state over the bathroom rule. Other news from across the nation comes from Tennessee, Minnesota, Connecticut, and California.
Semaglutide Appears To Aid People With Alcohol Use Disorder, Study Says
Meanwhile, Hims & Hers tackles the GLP-1 shortage with a new app; Eli Lilly releases data on tirzepatide efficacy; 23andMe faces privacy concerns; and more.
Editorial writers delve into these public health topics.
Medicare Paid $2B On Thousands Of Unessential Back Surgeries: Analysis
In other news, University of Illinois nurses strike; Baystate Health makes leadership cuts; St. Louis University tackles a lack of palliative care; and more.
US Gets D+ Grade From March of Dimes For Stubbornly High Preterm Birth Rate
The nation’s preterm birth rate, which last year was 10.4%, has not budged much in the past decade. Separately, a CDC report finds that babies born to Black moms die at a rate that’s more than double the rate of those born to white moms.
Virginia Democrats Push Ahead With Promise To Protect Reproductive Rights
Lawmakers are putting forward constitutional amendments to protect abortion access, marriage equality, and voting rights. Meanwhile, a Republican legislator in Ohio backs a measure to prohibit funding from flowing to those who provide abortions and to those who help in other ways.
CDC, FDA Officials Warn Kids Could Die From RFK Jr.’s Anti-Vaccine Stance
In separate appearances, both CDC chief Mandy Cohen and Peter Marks, the FDA’s top vaccine regulator, spoke about the consequences of not being vaccinated. “I like to be respectful of people’s opinions, but to me, this is not an opinion issue. It’s just black and white,” Marks said.
With Republican Trifecta Clinched, Health Care Policy Changes Loom
Stat and Roll Call break down what GOP control could mean for ACA subsidies, Medicaid funding, Medicare, mental health services, drug pricing, and more. Meanwhile, aides to President-elect Donald Trump are looking at ways to bypass Congress on federal spending.
Opioid Deaths In US Fall To Lowest Level Since 2020
The CDC reports that opioid overdose deaths have dropped for a 12th straight month, with the decline being seen in a majority of states.
Gaetz As Attorney General Would Sway Abortion, LGBTQ+ Health Laws
If confirmed to the top job at the Justice Department, the now-resigned Rep. Matt Gaetz would be in the position to decide what Affordable Care Act, emergency medicine, abortion, and LGBTQ+ laws the federal government would challenge or defend. Other Trump transition news relates to veteran health and gun violence.
First Edition: Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
St. Paul, Minnesota, Will Erase $40M In Medical Debt For 32,000 Residents
Meanwhile, Illinois will receive a large opioid settlement; North Carolina makes progress in overdose rates; health advocates seek to extend insurance subsidies for young adults in Maryland; and more.
Opinion writers tackle these public health topics.
