Latest KFF Health News Stories
After Releasing Her Own Health Summary, Harris Challenges Trump To Follow Suit
Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris is reported to be in “excellent” health, according to a letter from her doctor released Saturday. A group of over 230 medical professionals also wants the 78-year-old Republican nominee to release his full medical records.
With Employer Insurance Costs Spiking, Workers Will Feel The Pinch
From premium cost increases to limits in doctor access, news outlets examine the ways that employers may modify their offered health insurance plans to adjust for the big bump in costs they are feeling from insurers.
Medicare Open Enrollment Kicks Off: Be Aware Of Plan Changes For 2025
Enrollment in a 2025 Medicare plan opened for beneficiaries today. News outlets focus on an array of changes that could lead to “benefit disruption” which consumers should know about, in particular around Medicare Advantage choices and the prescription payment plan.
First Edition: October 15, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
California Logs 4th Human Bird Flu Case
The nationwide total of cases this year is at 18, and all but one of the people who tested positive had been exposed to sick cattle or poultry. Also in the news, Iowa and 19 other states sue over federal nursing home staffing requirements.
Teva Settles DOJ’s Kickback, Price-Fixing Charges For $450 Million
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries will pay $450 to settle the Department of Justice’s investigation into allegations of price fixing and misuse of funds for kickbacks. Other pharmaceutical news reports on weight loss drugs.
15.5 Million US Adults Have ADHD; Most Struggle To Access Treatment
Also in research-related news, the neurons in children with autism are different from in children without; an effort to improve the accuracy of Parkinson’s diagnoses; the progress of vaccines designed to prevent cancer; and more.
A Third Of HS Students Experience Racism, Affecting Mental Health
A CDC study found that nearly 1 in 3 U.S. high school students reported experiencing racism at school. Researchers found those experiences led to a greater number of mental health issues and a higher risk of suicide and substance use. Also in public health news: a recall over listeria, a recall of Fisher-Price Snuga Swings, and more.
Medicare Advantage Plans’ Quality Ratings From CMS Fall Again
Only 40% of Medicare Advantage health prescription drug plans achieved a four-star rating or higher under the current criteria used by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to grade quality. The federal health agency has sought to make it harder to win top scores — in 2022, 68% of plans were four stars or higher.
Microsoft, Epic To Build New AI Tool Targeting Nurses’ Workload
Microsoft and Epic Systems are partnering on new AI tools geared toward nurses, in the hopes that the effort could lead to better quality care and less staff burnout. Studies show understaffed hospitals cause more health care-associated infections. Meanwhile, the AHA reports overall safety improvements.
Harris Fields Questions From Latino Voters On Health Care Access And Costs
Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris said at a Univision town hall Thursday in Las Vegas that a key to securing health care for more people is through a path to citizenship for Dreamers. Other election news examines how Biden administration policies would fare under a second Trump White House.
Abortion Access Is Limited in Western NC As Sole Clinic Recovers From Helene
The Asheville clinic still does not have must-needed running water, and staffing the facility might be tricky, officials say. Separately, North Dakota’s abortion ban will remain paused while a challenge to the law winds its way through the court system.
Floridians Urged To Avoid Floodwaters Teeming With Bacteria After Milton
Meanwhile, successive storms are taking a toll on the mental health of those whose lives were abruptly upended. Also, a Daytona Beach medical manufacturing facility will resume IV fluid operations today after it closed as Milton neared.
Editorial writers delve into these public health issues.
First Edition: Friday, Oct. 11, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Research Roundup: Pediatric Brain Disease; Covid And Heart Attacks; MS
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
Viewpoints: Should Medicare Cover Cost Of Home Health Care?; Trump: A Disaster For Public Health
Editorial writers discuss these public health topics.
Two More Presumptive Bird Flu Cases Detected In California Dairy Workers
CIDRAP reports that if confirmed, they’d bring the state’s total to five cases over the past few weeks. In other news from around the nation, a call to investigate youth residential treatment facilities, an investigation into whether school districts are undercounting students who are homeless, and more.
Telehealth Sector In Chaos While Waiting For Looming Regulations
The clock is ticking down on the current extensions of pandemic-era rules that give telehealth providers the ability to prescribe medications. With no new government regulations yet to materialize, companies are operating in a vacuum of information. Other health industry news reports on insurance costs, biotech, and more.
Antibiotic Duo Effective Against Drug-Resistant Infections: Study
This week, a phase 3 clinical trial showed aztreonam-avibactam might be treatment option for patients facing multidrug-resistant infections. Meanwhile, research shows that penicillin allergies in nursing homes residents contribute to over prescription of broad spectrum antibiotics, adding to antimicrobial resistance.
