Latest KFF Health News Stories
Fresh Round Of Free Covid Tests, Treatments Coming This Fall
In response to the latest covid wave, the federal government will reopen in late September its order-by-mail program for four free covid tests. Supplies of the antiviral drug Paxlovid also will be available at no charge for people with Medicare or Medicaid as well as those who are uninsured.
Fauci Still Recuperating After Bout With West Nile Virus
“By far, this is the worst I’ve ever been with an illness,” the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said. Separately, some Massachusetts communities are closing outdoor areas after dusk in hopes of halting the spread of eastern equine encephalitis.
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 about total knee replacement, Matthew Perry, Pfizer, haute cuisine, and more.
EU Countries Scolded, Urged To Share Mpox Stockpiles With Africa Now
A WHO official said if countries are “not willing to share, then we are not going to be able to stop the next pandemic.” France has already pledged 100,000 vaccines. Also, an infection in Thailand was confirmed as clade 1b — the new deadly mpox strain.
Editorial writers discuss these public health topics.
Deal Wipes Out $366M In Medical Debt For 193,000 Southerners
The debt-canceling agreement involves patients of Ochsner Health’s hospitals and clinics in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Other news from around the nation comes from Florida, Texas, California, New Jersey, Missouri, and Iowa.
After False Advertising Accusation, EpicGenetics Halts 2 Blood Test Sales
Also in the news, gene-editing startup Tome Biosciences; insights into near-death experiences from psychedelics; the cost of Eisai and Biogen’s Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi; and more.
Steward Asks Pennsylvania To Pony Up $1.5M To Keep Sharon Hospital Open
State officials are considering the request even as a judge has determined that it’s OK for the bankrupt hospital operator to close two other facilities in Ohio. Also in the news, Evolent Health, Mission Hospital, the Veterans Administration, and more.
Accepting Nomination, Kamala Harris Hammers Abortion Bans, Project 2025
The Democratic nominee for president did not mince words when discussing Republicans’ restrictions on women’s health care: “Simply put, they are out of their minds.” Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, in an interview before Harris’ speech, again said he has “no idea” what Project 2025 is.
Arkansas Supreme Court Ruling Keeps Abortion Initiative Off The Ballot
The state’s Supreme Court justices decided 4-3 to uphold Republican Secretary of State John Thurston’s rejection of a ballot measure — saying that paperwork was not submitted on time — that would have put the question of expanding abortion access before voters this November.
Updated Covid Vaccines Will Be Here In Days. Will People Line Up?
The FDA on Thursday gave the green light for Pfizer and Moderna’s updated shots, which target a strain of omicron called KP.2. It’s unclear whether the shots will help with this summer’s covid wave because it takes about two weeks after vaccination for an immune response to kick in.
First Edition: Friday, Aug. 23, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers discuss these health topics and others.
60% Of Supermarket Baby Foods Packed With Sugar, Salt: Study
CNN reports on the new study, which found that 60% of 651 foods marketed for children fell short of the recommended World Health Organization nutritional guidelines. Also in health and wellness news: Pear Therapeutics, Yamacraw Village, author Rick Steves, and more.
Concerns Over Alzheimer’s Drug Risk For People With Down Syndrome
Among the worries: a possible brain bleed risk from lecanemab in certain people. Other news is on harnessing Zika virus as a therapy to destroy certain cancers; temperature tracking of mail-ordered drugs; and more.
California County To Buy Troubled Private Hospital To Preserve Care
The Regional Medical Center had been slated for major cutbacks, but Santa Clara County has stepped in and reached a tentative purchase agreement with its owner. Separately, California lawmakers are considering whether to block private equity health deals.
First Case Of Mpox Detected In Wayne County, Michigan, Since 2022
Officials state the public risk is low but suggest people who might be at risk get vaccinated. Meanwhile, a suspected case of mpox on a cargo ship turns out to be chicken pox.
Study Details Long Covid Symptoms In Kids — And They Differ From Adults
The symptoms include back or neck pain, trouble with focus, fear of crowded spaces, and refusal to go to school, researchers determined. Also, an updated covid vaccine might be available within days.
HHS Report Warns Of Risks For Kids From Too Much Fluoride In Water
The report found, “with moderate confidence,” that fluoride in drinking water at twice the recommended limit may be linked to lower IQ in kids. Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy has received over 540,000 compensation claims related to contaminated water at North Carolina’s Camp Lejeune.
