Latest KFF Health News Stories
Trump Has Only ‘Concepts Of A Plan’ To Replace ACA; Harris Vows To Expand Health Law
The former president indicated that details will be coming “in the not too distant future.” His Democratic opponent reminded him that multiple efforts to repeal Obamacare failed during Trump’s administration. Plus: how the covid pandemic was handled, and “Medicare for All.”
At Debate, Harris Goes On Attack As Trump Repeats Abortion Lies, Wavers On National Ban
Democratic nominee Kamala Harris shared harrowing stories of women being denied care and pledged to make Roe v. Wade the law of the land again if given the opportunity. Republican nominee Donald Trump resurrected false narratives and wouldn’t say whether he’d sign or veto an abortion ban at the federal level.
First Edition: Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers delve into these public health topics.
Fourth Human Case Of EEE Confirmed In Massachusetts
Meanwhile, the curious human case of H5N1 bird flu in Missouri, without any apparent exposure source, is triggering many questions. The New York Times asks another big question: Bird flu has already been found in New York markets, so what happens next?
Researchers Find Signals In Babies’ Blood That Link To SIDS Risks
Researchers at UC San Francisco found that babies with unusual patterns of metabolites in their blood were 14 times more likely to die from SIDS than infants with the lowest-risk patterns — possibly paving the way for SIDS risk screening. Kids’ high blood pressure is also in the news.
DC Legislation Seeks To Force 911 Agency To Reveal Dispatching Errors
Under new legislation announced Monday by D.C. Council member Brooke Pinto, a Democrat, the trouble-stricken local 911 agency would have to release audio and documents pertaining to suspected errors. Also: tainted chicken; youth suicide rates in Connecticut; and more.
AbbVie Accuses BeiGene Of Trade Secret Theft In Cancer Therapy Suit
BeiGene hired a former longtime senior scientist at AbbVie, and then developed a competing cancer therapy, a lawsuit argues. Separately, a top Merck executive downplayed the impact of a promising experimental Chinese lung cancer drug on its dominant product Keytruda.
New Mammogram Notification Rule Starts Today
Patients now must be told about the density of their breasts. Although it’s a common issue, having dense tissue is linked to a higher risk of developing breast cancer because it’s more difficult to spot cancer on mammograms. Also in the news: UVA, Yale, Allegheny Valley Hospital, and more.
Listen To Our ‘Silence In Sikeston’ Podcast, Available Starting Today
“Silence in Sikeston” explores what it means to live with racism and violence, then charts the toll on health — from hives and high blood pressure to struggles with mental health. The deaths of two Black men killed nearly 80 years apart in the same Missouri community anchor a conversation about the public health consequences of systemic bias. “Silence in Sikeston” is the podcast about finding the words to say the things that go unsaid.
Scientists Zero In On Antibody With Ability To Ward Off Covid-19 Infection
In other covid news, the new and even more contagious XEC variant, making its way across Europe, has health officials concerned as the U.S. still grapples with the latest summer surge in cases.
Fates Of Missouri, Nebraska Abortion Ballot Measures In Judges’ Hands
Courts in those states will decide whether initiatives on abortion rights will be allowed on the ballots as deadlines to set the ballots approach. And news outlets look at the presidential candidates’ reproductive health views ahead of tonight’s debate.
As Shutdown Deadline Looms, Congress Not Focusing On Health Care Bills
Lawmakers are hoping to pass several health care measures during the lame duck session, but for right now, migrant voting appears to be a top Republican concern. Separately, both presidential candidates now appear to support broad cannabis reform.
Obamacare Enrollment Is Trending Up, With Almost 50M Onboard Since 2014
About 21 million Americans have signed up for a plan this year, an analysis shows. Major subsidies have played a role in propping up the numbers, but now Congress must decide whether to extend them. Also, a look at where the presidential candidates stand on the law.
First Edition: Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
VA Must Build Houses For Homeless LA Vets With Access To Close Medical Care
A judge determined prime land should be returned to Veterans Affairs so that it can be used for its intended purpose: helping veterans. “Approximately 3,000 homeless veterans live in the Los Angeles area alone,” said Judge David O. Carter, a Vietnam veteran.
Before Georgia School Shooting, Suspect’s Mother Tried To Raise Alarm
Half an hour before the shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, the mother of the 14-year-old suspect tried to warn of a possible emergency. Meanwhile, AP notes that the shooting has raised concerns about cellphone restrictions meant to improve students’ mental health.
Tune In: Our ‘Silence In Sikeston’ Project Is Launching
The multimedia project from KFF Health News, Retro Report, and GBH’s WORLD explores how the 1942 lynching of Cleo Wright — and the failure of the first federal attempt to prosecute a lynching — continues to haunt a rural Missouri community divided by race, with the past reverberating in a 2020 police killing of a young Black father. We explore the impact of these public health crises of past and present.
Deaths Of Three Senior Citizens Linked To NY Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak
The deaths stem from a “cluster of cases” in August at an assisted living facility in Albany, New York. Meanwhile, a salmonella outbreak due to recalled eggs has sickened 65 people in nine states.
