Latest KFF Health News Stories
CDC Program Offering Free Covid Shots For The Needy Has Run Out Of Money
Without the federal Bridge Access Program that absorbed the cost of the vaccines, under- and uninsured Americans will have to pay up to $200 for an immunity boost. Meanwhile, as Novavax readies its vaccine for a rollout this week, global health officials are monitoring an even more contagious subvariant than the one circulating now.
Iowa Prison Takes Sanitary And Health Measures To Stem Mpox Infections
The Iowa Department of Corrections reports that mpox has been detected at the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility. The number of prisoners infected with the virus is unknown, but a statement says: “Affected individuals are receiving care, and enhanced sanitation and isolation protocols are in place to prevent further spread.”
First Edition: Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
San Francisco Offers Antipsychotic Drugs To Unhoused Meth Users
In extending aid to help users deal with symptoms like paranoia and delusions, the city hopes to reduce pressure on psych emergency services. Other reports shine a light on how wastewater monitoring could be used to track drug use in the country.
Northwell Health Promises 5 Years Of Birth Services At Connecticut Hospital
In the wake of an antitrust probe into Northwell Health’s merger with Nuvance Health, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong has reached an agreement with Northwell to preserve labor and delivery services for five years at Sharon Hospital. In other news, McLaren Health Care says it’s recovered from a cyberattack earlier this month.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis Case Confirmed In Houston County, Texas
As Texas animal health officials urge vets and owners to vaccinate horses against the mosquito-borne virus, officials in Massachusetts begin spraying in hopes of curbing the spread of the disease. West Nile virus, bird flu, and mpox also are in the news.
Democrats Celebrated At Convention, And Some Went Home With Covid
Members of Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris’ campaign staff are among those fighting the virus. People aren’t letting the virus keep them down, The New York Times reports: Folks are shunning covid protocols.
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
2,325 People Died From Heat Last Year, Mostly In The Desert Southwest
The lead author of the report, which was published Monday in JAMA, told USA Today that the deaths were overwhelmingly concentrated in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas. The death toll is likely an undercount.
Eli Lilly To Offer Lower Cost, Low-Dose Zepbound; It Comes With Conditions
Patients will have to fill their own vials before they give themselves shots. They also will have to order supplies directly from the company, and they’ll have to pay in cash. Separately, researchers find GLP-1 drugs may work differently than they thought.
Planned Parenthood Files Complaints Against Missouri’s Medicaid Law
Missouri Planned Parenthoods are challenging a new law in Missouri that bans any funding — including for preventive care like cancer screenings or pap smears — from going to the reproductive health care organization. Related news comes from Oklahoma, Arkansas, and elsewhere.
CMS Designates $100M For Navigators To Aid 2025 Open Enrollment
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will distribute the money to 44 organizations in 28 states that work on outreach and help people to sign up for health insurance during open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act exchanges.
First Edition: Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations. Note to readers: KFF Health News’ First Edition will not be published for the rest of the week. Look for it again in your inbox on Tuesday. Have a nice Labor Day weekend!
Steward Health Care Closures To Hit Over 900 Hospital Staff In Ohio
In other news from across the country, UNC Health tries a new “transparent” PBM system for employers; essential health information sharing in North Carolina through barbershops and beauty salons; gun laws in California; and more.
J&J’s New Move Against Drug Discounts Is Charging Hospitals Full Price
The Wall Street Journal reports Johnson & Johnson informed certain hospitals that they’ll now have to pay full price for two drugs that were previously sold at discount rates — then claim a rebate. But the government is already said to have described the plan as “inconsistent” with the law.
Editorial writers discuss these public health issues.
Researchers Raise Alarm Over Levels Of Plastic Found In Human Brains
Samples of brain tissue collected early this year contain more shards of plastic than samples collected eight years ago, a study found. Also in the news: a possible microbiota-based treatment for recurrent C Diff.
Walmart Great Value Apple Juice Recalled For High Arsenic Levels
Also in public health news: a diarrhea-causing parasite in Yellowstone County, Montana; a wildlife biologist contracts tularemia; the challenges of tracking heat-related deaths; and more.
Trump-Vance Ticket Expresses A More Moderate Note On Abortion
While the Republican presidential nominee pledges to be “great for women and their reproductive rights,” his running mate indicates a federal ban on abortion isn’t their goal. Democrats are skeptical: “American women are not stupid,” said Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
Harris-Walz Platform Includes Effort To Wipe Out Americans’ Medical Debt
Details about how the plan would work are few, and bringing it to fruition would require Congress and the states to work together. Also in the news from the Capitol: FDA delves deeper into Ecstasy studies; a judge blocks an EPA pollution effort; and more.
