Latest KFF Health News Stories
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.
CDC: Lack Of Health Insurance Is A Factor In Rising Suicide Rates
A CDC study finds that communities where people lack health insurance, income, and broadband internet access are likelier to have higher suicide risks, and those “preventable” social factors are playing a role in the national crisis.
Report: Black Women More Likely To Receive Unnecessary C-Sections
The New York Times reports on the new study, which found Black women to be 25% more likely to have cesarean sections than white women. In other women’s health news: a dearth of obstetric doctors, maternal home visit programs, toxic metals in tampons, PCOS, and more.
Editorial writers discuss these public health issues.
Missouri Supreme Court Allows Abortion Rights Amendment On Ballot
Anti-abortion activists had been pushing to block a November vote on enshrining a right to abortion in the state constitution, but the Missouri Supreme Court ruled against this challenge. Seperately, a group of Republican-led states have renewed their effort to limit abortion pill access.
9/11-Linked Illnesses Have Killed More FDNY Firefighters Than Day Of Attack
The New York City Fire Department lost 343 members in the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center, and more than 370 others have perished since. Meanwhile, the health care fund set up to help survivors tackle 9/11-related illnesses is again short of money.
