Latest KFF Health News Stories
Sanofi Oral Treatment For Multiple Sclerosis Meets Important Trial Goals
The drug, tolebrutinib, met its Phase 3 study goals, despite patients in two other studies not seeing a benefit earlier in the disease. Separately, Abbott’s MitraClip demonstrated benefits for heart failure patients, but the findings of the study are controversial.
Investigation Says Acadia Healthcare Lures, Traps Psychiatric Patients
A New York Times investigation found that in some cases, patients were held against their will even when it was not medically necessary — plumping up the company’s finances. Also in industry news: HCA Healthcare and UnitedHealthcare, Steward, CareTrust REIT, and more.
Iranian Hackers Are Attacking US Health Care Sites, Cyber Sleuths Say
The bad actors aim to cause disruptions as they seek ways to extort victims, officials warn. Also making health care technology news: web tracking, bacteria detection, robotics, and more.
Editorial writers discuss these public health topics.
Number Of Uninsured Americans Fell Under Biden, Went Up Under Trump
After the first two years of Joe Biden’s presidency, the national uninsured rate declined 1.2%, to the lowest rate ever. After the first three years of Trump’s presidency, the uninsured rate went up 0.6%, USA Today reports. Meanwhile, Trump flip-flops on a Florida abortion ban ballot measure.
Minnesota Measles Outbreak Spreads To 30, Shutters Somali Religious School
Officials are asking Minnesotans to consider immunizations, as all but one of the people infected were unvaccinated. Also in the news: West Nile virus, EEE, bird flu, polio, and the Oropouche virus.
CDC Program Offering Free Covid Shots For The Needy Has Run Out Of Money
Without the federal Bridge Access Program that absorbed the cost of the vaccines, under- and uninsured Americans will have to pay up to $200 for an immunity boost. Meanwhile, as Novavax readies its vaccine for a rollout this week, global health officials are monitoring an even more contagious subvariant than the one circulating now.
Iowa Prison Takes Sanitary And Health Measures To Stem Mpox Infections
The Iowa Department of Corrections reports that mpox has been detected at the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility. The number of prisoners infected with the virus is unknown, but a statement says: “Affected individuals are receiving care, and enhanced sanitation and isolation protocols are in place to prevent further spread.”
First Edition: Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
San Francisco Offers Antipsychotic Drugs To Unhoused Meth Users
In extending aid to help users deal with symptoms like paranoia and delusions, the city hopes to reduce pressure on psych emergency services. Other reports shine a light on how wastewater monitoring could be used to track drug use in the country.
Northwell Health Promises 5 Years Of Birth Services At Connecticut Hospital
In the wake of an antitrust probe into Northwell Health’s merger with Nuvance Health, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong has reached an agreement with Northwell to preserve labor and delivery services for five years at Sharon Hospital. In other news, McLaren Health Care says it’s recovered from a cyberattack earlier this month.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis Case Confirmed In Houston County, Texas
As Texas animal health officials urge vets and owners to vaccinate horses against the mosquito-borne virus, officials in Massachusetts begin spraying in hopes of curbing the spread of the disease. West Nile virus, bird flu, and mpox also are in the news.
Democrats Celebrated At Convention, And Some Went Home With Covid
Members of Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris’ campaign staff are among those fighting the virus. People aren’t letting the virus keep them down, The New York Times reports: Folks are shunning covid protocols.
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
2,325 People Died From Heat Last Year, Mostly In The Desert Southwest
The lead author of the report, which was published Monday in JAMA, told USA Today that the deaths were overwhelmingly concentrated in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas. The death toll is likely an undercount.
Eli Lilly To Offer Lower Cost, Low-Dose Zepbound; It Comes With Conditions
Patients will have to fill their own vials before they give themselves shots. They also will have to order supplies directly from the company, and they’ll have to pay in cash. Separately, researchers find GLP-1 drugs may work differently than they thought.
Planned Parenthood Files Complaints Against Missouri’s Medicaid Law
Missouri Planned Parenthoods are challenging a new law in Missouri that bans any funding — including for preventive care like cancer screenings or pap smears — from going to the reproductive health care organization. Related news comes from Oklahoma, Arkansas, and elsewhere.
CMS Designates $100M For Navigators To Aid 2025 Open Enrollment
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will distribute the money to 44 organizations in 28 states that work on outreach and help people to sign up for health insurance during open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act exchanges.
First Edition: Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations. Note to readers: KFF Health News’ First Edition will not be published for the rest of the week. Look for it again in your inbox on Tuesday. Have a nice Labor Day weekend!
Steward Health Care Closures To Hit Over 900 Hospital Staff In Ohio
In other news from across the country, UNC Health tries a new “transparent” PBM system for employers; essential health information sharing in North Carolina through barbershops and beauty salons; gun laws in California; and more.
