Latest KFF Health News Stories
‘So Stressed They Cannot Function’: Surgeon General Warns On Parenting Hazards
The office of the surgeon general issued an advisory that calls the pressures of modern-day parenting “an urgent public health issue,” finding that more than half of parents say that the stress is “completely overwhelming.”
Employers Face Average 5.8% Jump In Their Health Insurance Costs Next Year
The higher-than-usual spike is driven primarily by higher use of medical care by employees, increasing costs that providers charge for their services, and pricey drugs like weight loss GLP-1 medications. The increase was estimated through a survey by consulting firm Mercer, which also found that 53% of employers plan to implement cost-management changes in 2025.
By Choosing Sides In Election, Health Tech Leaders Take A Calculated Risk
As Stat notes, their public stance could put future investments and business deals on the line. Also, more follow-up discussions stemming from Tuesday’s presidential debate.
Near-Total Abortion Ban In N. Dakota Deemed Unconstitutional
In striking down the law, the judge said it is “a violation on medical freedom” in that it takes away a woman’s right to choose. Also, as voters in several states prepare to pick a side on ballot initiatives, congressional Democrats are pressing for clarity about when providers must step in and deal with emergency abortions. Meanwhile, the Senate has another vote on IVF coming up.
First Edition: Friday, Sept. 13, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Research Roundup: Menopause; RSV; Alzheimer’s; Ear Infections
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
North Carolina Approves Medicaid Funding, But Below Levels Requested
The figure approved by the legislature Wednesday is designed to address higher state Medicaid costs for the current fiscal year, but the total is $81 million less than the figure requested by state health officials. Separately, New York moves to address disparities in health care.
Editorial writers dissect these public health issues.
Sen. Bernie Sanders Ready To Accuse Steward Health CEO Of Contempt
Steward Health Care CEO Ralph de la Torre signaled he’ll disobey a subpoena to show up at a Senate hearing on Steward’s bankruptcy. If he doesn’t appear, Sanders is ready to press charges: “Tell me about your yacht. … I want to hear your justification for that,” the Vermont independent said to AP.
High Adderall Dose Linked To Alarming Risk Of Mental Health Episodes
A fivefold increased risk for first-time psychosis or mania episodes was found among patients prescribed more than 40 milligrams per dose, researchers say. Migraine medicine ads and weight-loss drugs also are in the news.
Kentucky Medical Group Allegedly Sought Organs From Living Patient
The Wall Street Journal reports a startling case in which an organ-procurement group in Kentucky allegedly pressed its staff to harvest organs from a patient who was conscious and later exited the facility alive. The accusation surfaced during a House hearing about the troubled transplant system.
Mosquito-Borne EEE In Rhode Island; Infant Dies From Pertussis In Alaska
In other news, bird flu has spread to three more dairy herds in California. Also, CDC data confirm that more than half of the country experienced “very high” levels of covid-19 in August.
Tubal Ligations Steadily Climbed Since Roe Was Overturned, Study Finds
Researchers broke the data down by states where abortions were “banned,” “limited,” or “protected,” and found increases across all of them, leading to the conclusion that legal uncertainty prompted more people to choose to have their fallopian tubes tied.
Prominent Senate Republican Shakes Off Notion Of Obamacare Repeal
Should Republicans take control of the Senate, Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana would likely take the reins of the health committee — and he acknowledges scrapping the Affordable Care Act isn’t likely because it would require a bipartisan vote.
Judge Blocks Utah Social Media Law Intended To Protect Minors
“Even well-intentioned legislation that regulates speech based on content must satisfy a tremendously high level of constitutional scrutiny,” Chief U.S. District Judge Robert Shelby said in issuing the preliminary injunction. Also: College students’ mental health appears to be improving.
First Edition: Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Transgender Candidate In Delaware Could Cruise To US House Seat
Sarah McBride, a state lawmaker who won the Democratic primary, would become the first openly transgender member of Congress if she defeats Republican James Whalen III, a former police officer, in November. Separately, former Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo testified in Congress about New York’s covid policies.
3 New West Nile Cases In Mass.; Another Tick-Borne Illness On The Rise
The cases of West Nile virus bring the state’s total this year to 10. Also in the news: H5N1 bird flu, a public health warning at the Virginia Boar’s Head plant, and more.
UnitedHealth Says It’s Swapping Out Humira On Some Preferred-Drug Lists
The insurance giant signaled that in 2025 it will remove AbbVie’s blockbuster arthritis drug from some reimbursement lists and promote cheaper biosimilar alternatives. Among other pharma news, Novo Nordisk’s old weight loss drug Saxenda is found safe and effective for kids.
Kaiser Permanente To Shut California Nursing Home, Lay Off 249 Staff
The Kaiser Permanente Post Acute Care Center in San Leandro will be permanently closed by mid-November. Also in the news: an Athena Health Care nursing home in Connecticut loses federal funding; a nurse strike is averted at Brigham and Women’s Hospital; and more.
