Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: Rising Teen Pregnancy Yet Another Consequence of Ending Roe; Why Is TB Still An Issue?
Editorial writers tackle these public health issues.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. Today’s selections are on AMR, extreme heat, dementia, homelessness, Zyn, and more.
Court Rules Florida AG Can’t Block School, Hospital Opioid Lawsuits
Meanwhile, in Baltimore, a lawsuit against opioid makers and distributors will proceed to trial after a judge denied motions by the companies to dismiss the case. And MIT News reports on an implantable device that could automatically release naloxone in overdose situations.
NY Health Officials Move To Halt Use Of Key Antibiotic Against Meningitis
Ciprofloxacin is recommended for post-exposure prophylaxis against bacterial meningitis, but the New York State Department of Health is asking providers to discontinue using it over fears of rising antibiotic-resistant strains.
Groundwater, Food Tainted With Rocket Fuel Chemical, Study Finds
Perchlorate is more likely to be found in types of food given to youngsters, a Consumer Reports study found. There is no strict definition of what is considered to be a “dangerous level” of perchlorate, which is found in such items as fireworks, matches, and now french fries and chicken nuggets.
Ohio Has Become Both An Abortion Desert And A Haven
Abortion is legal until fetal viability, but few clinics are left in the state, and there are no surgical abortion clinics at all in Northwest and Southeast Ohio. The lack of access is troublesome for residents, who may have to travel out of state for care. Meanwhile, women in surrounding states where abortion is banned are seeking help in Ohio.
Kamala Harris’ 2024 Policy Agenda Includes Tax Break For New Babies
The Washington Post highlights proposals for eliminating medical debt for millions, a ban on price gouging for groceries and food, and a $6,000 tax credit for the first year of a new baby’s life.
Gel That Quickly Halts Severe Bleeding Gets FDA Clearance
Traumagel, from Cresilon, can be used for life-threatening injuries and could be a vital new tool for EMTs. Separately, the FDA approved a non-small cell lung cancer treatment from AstraZeneca.
Employer Health Plans Could See 9% Bump In Cost, Consulting Firm Predicts
An increase in high-dollar treatments and greater demand for prescription drugs are driving up costs for employers, the company says. Meanwhile, supply chain woes in 2023 hampered health providers’ ability to provide care to ailing patients.
First Medicare Drug Negotiations Are Done, But Round 2 Could Get Testier
Even as the results of Round 1 were released Thursday, pharmaceutical companies were already preparing for what will now become annual price negotiations with Medicare. With 15 drugs on the table in 2025, The Wall Street Journal reports that drugmakers are fighting aspects of the process.
Black Death, Bird Flu Among Diseases Posing Potential Pandemic Threat
The WHO’s watchlist of dangerous pathogens for the first time also includes bacteria such as salmonella and cholera. Also, despite concerns about the spread of bird flu to humans, dairy farmers remain reluctant to test their herds.
Mpox Variant Discovered Outside Africa On A Traveler To Sweden
The Swedish case marks the first time the virus has spread outside of Africa. This comes as Pakistan health officials say they’ve detected the virus in their country. Meanwhile, the world and vaccine makers are responding after the World Health Organization declared mpox a health emergency.
First Edition: Friday, Aug. 16, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Research Roundup: Antimicrobial Resistance; Pneumonia; Leukemia; Aging Immune Systems
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
Viewpoints: Our Kids Will Suffer From Our Climate Change Mistakes; HHS Is Merely ‘Climate Washing’
Opinion writers weigh in on these topics and others.
Fatal Overdoses In San Francisco Fall For Second Straight Month
With 10 fewer deaths in July, city officials are optimistic that the overdose crisis might be turning a corner. Separately, data show San Francisco’s homelessness problem is being driven more and more by drug and alcohol issues.
Eli Lilly Sends Cease-And-Desist Letters To Halt Sales Of Copycat Obesity Drugs
Also, Stat delves into questions about how Eli Lilly can keep innovating at a fast pace.
Employers Are Suing Aetna After Price Transparency Policies Show True Costs
As employers are gaining insight into insurers’ management via new price transparency policies, it’s triggering a wave a lawsuits from employers “plagued” by soaring health care spending, Modern Healthcare reports. In other industry news; Allstate, Elevance Health, AdventHealth, and more.
Rapidly Spreading Mpox In Africa Declared A Global Health Emergency
This is the second such declaration by the World Health Organization in two years, coming amid concerns over potential further spread in Africa and beyond. Also in the news: a West Nile virus case in Illinois; the summer covid wave; state fairs and bird flu; and more.
Bill Aiming To Boost Online Safety For Youths Stalls In Divided House
After easy passage in the Senate, the measure is running into a thornier path forward in the House, where some Republicans raised concerns about censorship and FTC powers.
