Latest KFF Health News Stories
Florida Abortion Ballot Will Include Peculiar Financial Language
The wording of the measure, which was approved by the state’s Supreme Court, calls into question whether Floridians will wind up paying for the procedure. Meanwhile, health care providers are finding themselves in difficult positions after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to weigh in on the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act.
Walz Accepts VP Nomination As Dems Champion Health Care Freedom
“When we Democrats talk about freedom, we mean the freedom to make a better life for yourself and the people that you love,” Tim Walz said Wednesday at the Democratic National Convention. In a surprise appearance, Oprah Winfrey — who said she votes as an independent — declared that without reproductive choice, “There is no American dream.”
HIV-Positive Citizens May Join Military, Judge Rules, Citing ‘Irrational’ Policy
Meanwhile, the Health Resources and Services Administration is setting aside $1.4 billion to help low-income Americans pay for HIV/AIDS treatment.
First Edition: Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
As Cancer Afflicts Younger Generations, Employers Wary Of Expenses Ahead
In terms of health care costs, catastrophic claims and specialty medications are driving up increases, a survey has found. Meanwhile, in a study conducted during the covid pandemic, researchers found that playing video games does indeed have health benefits.
Mpox Cases Suspected In Travelers To Argentina And Thailand
Argentinian authorities have quarantined a cargo ship and Thai officials are monitoring dozens of people as both countries aim to stop the new fast-spreading variant of the disease. Meanwhile, Africa is almost ready to roll out mpox vaccinations.
New Jersey Forgives $100M In Medical Debt For Nearly 50,000 People
The initiative, announced Tuesday by Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, will be one of the largest efforts by a state to help people unable to pay medical bills. Also in the news: how Maine’s deadliest shooting could have been averted; another measles case in Georgia; and more.
Viewpoints: Aging Doesn’t Have To Mean Losing Cognitive Function; Cancer Shouldn’t Bankrupt People
Editorial writers discuss these public health issues.
FTC Lacks The Authority To Ban Noncompete Deals, Federal Judge Rules
Many health care organizations include noncompete agreements in job contracts, Modern Healthcare reminds us. Also in industry news: electronic health record company Epic; Steward Health; Baptist Health and Florida Blue; Molina Healthcare; and more.
J&J Treatment For Most Common Type Of Lung Cancer Wins FDA Approval
The treatment for non-small cell lung cancer is a non-chemotherapy combination of J&J’s cancer drug Rybrevant and existing drug lazertinib. Meanwhile, a judge ruled that lawsuits claiming Tylenol causes ADHD in children of mothers who took the drug in pregnancy can’t proceed.
Zepbound Appears To Dramatically Lower Risk Of Developing Diabetes
Eli Lilly says that its Phase 3 trial data show that people with prediabetes who took the company’s obesity drug had a 93% lower risk of progressing to diabetes as opposed to the people in the study who took the placebo.
Democratic Convention: Abortion, IVF At Top Of Speakers’ Minds On Day 2
Kate Cox, who made headlines after being forced to leave Texas to have an abortion, said during the Texas roll call that she is pregnant again. Plus, former President Barack Obama cracks a joke about the name of Obamacare.
Abortion Measures Make The Ballots In Arizona, Montana
Protections of abortion rights until fetal viability in the state constitutions of both states will be decided by voters this November after separate decisions by the Arizona Supreme Court and the Montana Secretary of State.
First Edition: Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: It’s Time To Advance Maternal Care With These Changes; Mpox Photos Are Harmful
Editorial writers tackle these public health issues.
WHO: 2.6 Million Deaths In 2019 Linked To Alcohol Is Unacceptable
In other news, an implant that responds in real time to brain signals helped ease symptoms of Parkinson’s disease in a trial. Meanwhile, a new study of Alzheimer’s disease found diagnosis rates differ widely across the nation in a way not explained by dementia risk factors.
Georgia’s Governor Defends Medicaid Work Requirement Program
AP notes that the Georgia Pathways program has signed up only a tiny fraction of eligible residents. In other news from across the country, a new Illinois law bans corporal punishment in all schools; a Texas jury finds the parents of a 2018 school shooter not liable; and more.
Adjuvanted Flu Vax More Effective Than High-Dose Shots For Older Adults
A new study of patient data found different effectiveness in flu shots in preventing complications from the illness in older adults with risk factors. Separately, a patient receiving CAR-T therapy for lupus experienced a neurological side effect.
1 Of 9 Chicago Hospitals Sold To Prime Healthcare Will Close
The Chicago Tribune notes it’s been less than a month since Ascension said it was selling nine Illinois hospitals to Prime Healthcare, yet the health systems are already asking state permission to shut one of the facilities. Also in the news, SSM Health, Intuitive Health, Northwell Health, and more.
Loss Of Smell From Covid May Be Tied To ‘Subtle Brain Damage,’ Study Finds
Some covid sufferers during the early pandemic waved off the problem as merely an inconvenience. But the study of 73 adults found behavioral, functional, and structural “brain alterations.” Still, researchers stressed the need for more study. Plus: An update on the spread of mpox.
