Latest KFF Health News Stories
Post-Bankruptcy Rite Aid Will Function As A Private Company
During Rite Aid’s bankruptcy, hundreds of stores were closed and its pharmacy benefit company Elixir was sold. Now that it has restructured, the pharmacy chain will be private with a smaller retail footprint. In other news: DEA allows Vyvanse production to increase to tackle ADHD drug shortages.
Steward Health Care CEO Won’t Answer Senate Subpoena
Ralph de la Torre has been subpoenaed by a Senate committee to answer questions over the failed hospital chain but is refusing to appear, and instead is asking to wait until Steward’s bankruptcy proceedings are finalized. Steward, meanwhile, is selling six Massachusetts hospitals at a loss.
States With Restrictive Abortion Bans Offer Least Help To Most Vulnerable
Low-income families who can’t access abortions do not have the support network they need after a child is born, a study reveals. In other news, the Ohio Supreme Court has blocked a pair of laws that restrict the use of abortion medications.
Months Before Election, We Don’t Have A Clue About Candidates’ Health
Neither Democratic nominee Kamala Harris nor Republican nominee Donald Trump has released medical records that would assure voters they are healthy enough to effectively serve as president.
Animals Farmed For Fur In China Test Positive For Myriad Concerning Viruses
Of the 125 viruses found in 461 diseased animals, 39 had a higher potential of infecting other species, researchers found. Meanwhile, a new MRNA-based vaccine to combat mpox might be coming soon.
Controversial Study Suggests Vaccines Don’t Lower Long Covid Risk
A new study from the Mayo Clinic says that long covid rates are similar between vaccinated and unvaccinated people, running against conventional wisdom. Critics say the study may be skewed by its sample size. Separately, wearable fitness trackers show promise in spotting covid infections early.
Mass Shooters Don’t ‘Just Snap’: Past Behavior Is Key To Curbing Epidemic, Experts Say
A 14-year-old is accused of shooting and killing four people Wednesday at a high school outside of Atlanta. Vox explains how the vast majority of shooters don’t spontaneously decide to commit mass violence; many of them have suffered from some type of abuse, and most are suicidal.
18 Million US Households Dealt With Hunger In 2023, Continuing A Trend
Department of Agriculture report shows hunger in the U.S. to be at the highest it’s been in nearly a decade. SNAP and WIC are also in the news.
First Edition: Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Facing Patient Violence, Connecticut Hospital Workers Call For Security
Rising aggressive behavior from patients triggered a demand for better security from workers at Bradley Memorial Campus of the Hospital of Central Connecticut. In other news from across the country: Medicaid for Floridians with disabilities; Matthew Perry’s death; and more.
AMA Accused Of Spreading Misinfo About Physician Associates
The accusation comes from the American Academy of Physician Associates, which also said in a public letter to the American Medical Association dated Tuesday, that the AMA was disparaging the profession. Also in the news: school nurse burdens, nursing union contract negotiations, and more.
At Least 19 Valley Fever Cases Confirmed After California Music Event
The potentially deadly fungal infection has hit attendees and workers of the Lightning in a Bottle music festival near Bakersfield. A study finds that climate change-induced drought conditions have been driving the recent surge in cases of the illness, also known as coccidioidomycosis.
Mobile Phone Use Isn’t Linked To Brain Cancer After All
A review, commissioned by the World Health Organization, looked at 28 years of research data. Backing up scientific consensus, the review has dismissed a long-standing concern that exposure to radio emissions from phones causes brain cancer.
Court: Oklahoma Isn’t Entitled To HHS Funds Intended For Abortion Referrals
The state had argued that helping women who were requesting information about abortion violates the law. Meanwhile, at the state level, Nebraska’s Supreme Court has expedited a case challenging a November ballot measure to expand abortion rights.
Viewpoints: Climate Change Is Making Mosquitoes More Dangerous; American Farmers Are Not OK
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
Revamped Medicare Drug Prices Still Cost More Than In Other Rich Nations
A Reuters review found that Australia, Japan, Canada, and Sweden have negotiated much lower prices for the same drugs. In other pharmaceutical news: A decision on whether to reclassify marijuana won’t come until after the November election.
House Panel Will Quiz Cuomo Publicly About Covid-Era Nursing Home Policies
Transcripts from former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s private testimony in June will be released ahead of next week’s hearing, which is examining the Democrat’s advisory that prevented nursing homes from rejecting covid patients. Separately, Oregon is facing its largest spike in measles cases in 30 years.
First Edition: Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Listeria Outbreak Tied To Boar’s Head Deli Meat Isn’t Over, Lawyer Warns
“This plant was more a Listeria factory” than one used to produce food, a lawyer said after numerous health and safety violations were found at a Virginia facility where products are made. Havana syndrome, tobacco requirements, and heart disease risk also are in the news.
Oregon’s Drug Decriminalization Experiment Comes To An End
The Washington Post notes this was a first-in-nation trial to allow possession of small amounts of hard drugs to tackle the fentanyl crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Meanwhile, the three largest U.S. drug distributors reach a $300 million opioid settlement with health insurers.
