Latest KFF Health News Stories
Where Vance Stands On Abortion Access, Health Investments, Opioids
Following the announcement of J.D. Vance as Donald Trump’s running mate, news outlets are diving into the first-term senator’s past statements and work on health care policy. The 19th writes that his anti-abortion positions have softened a bit in recent weeks to be more in line with the Trump campaign. And Stat looks as his record of health investments as a VC investor and his focus on the opioid epidemic due to a family connection.
Restrictive Abortion Laws Hinder Training For Complex OB-GYN Cases
Medical students in North Carolina report encountering situations in which they aren’t learning how to care for patients with complicated circumstances. Related news is from South Dakota, Oklahoma, Michigan, and more.
Prescription Drug Affordability Boards Gain Steam Across The Country
Stateline reports on the growth of these watchdogs while noting that consumers have yet to see significant savings. Also in the news: Outlets report on the impact of corporate landlords on tenants’ health and on whether a sleep apnea cure would lead more insurers to cover weight-loss drugs.
USDA Confirms Months-Old Bird Flu Infection In Oklahoma Dairy Herd
The dairy only recently sought testing after learning it could receive financial aid for lost milk production. Meanwhile, as we learn of a wider outbreak among dairy cows, the CDC is sending a team to Colorado to help manage that state’s response to human and poultry infections.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
First Year Of Georgia’s Medicaid Work Plan Shows Few Have Coverage
The only state Medicaid plan with a work requirement is showing cracks after its first year, AP reports: With just 4,300 members, numbers are much lower than officials projected and roughly 100 times fewer than what full Medicaid expansion in Georgia would cover.
Officials Raise Awareness Over Measles Cases And Exposure In Mich., NYC, N.H.
Meanwhile, Colorado reports four new human cases of bird flu, and a national summertime wave of covid appears to grow.
Warnings Raised Over Forever Chemical Impact On Baby Formula
Worries over infant health and development are noted after nanoplastics and forever chemicals are shown to disrupt the chemical structure of important molecules in baby formula and breast milk, Newsweek reports. Weight loss drugs, energy drinks, and the polluted River Seine are also in the news.
ACOs May Get Payment Boost In 2024 Under CMS Proposal
Though physicians are facing a pay cut under CMS’ 2024 proposals, there is an upside in the plan for providers that participate in Medicare Shared Savings Program accountable care organizations: CMS wants to allow high-performing ACO providers to claim a share of the savings they generate early.
World Is Still Behind After ‘Historic Backslide’ In Childhood Immunizations
New data from the World Health Organization and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund shows that globally, we’ve yet to catch up after the pandemic-era drop in routine childhood shots. Also in the news: a window into the structure of proteins in the brains of those with Alzheimer’s disease; Ozempic’s tie to the risk for cognitive problems; and more.
Largest Dialysis Providers Under FTC Antitrust Investigation
The Federal Trade Commission is investigating alleged measures that DaVita and Fresenius Medical Care, the two largest providers in the dialysis industry, have taken to discourage any competition from smaller providers.
FBI: ‘No Indication Of Any Mental Health Issues’ For Trump Rally Shooter
The federal investigation into Thomas Matthew Crooks, who authorities say tried to assassinate former President Donald Trump on Saturday, has not yielded any signs of mental health issues.
Battle Over Medicare’s Physician Pay Rates Might Heat Back Up
With doctor lobbyists pessimistic that Congress will increase physician pay rates overall, it’s expected that primary care doctors and specialists will be left to duel over the available funds. Other news reports on payments for digital mental health therapies.
Tennesseans Have No Right To Amend Sex On Birth Certificate, Court Rules
Long-established policy “predates medical diagnoses of gender dysphoria,” the court says, reasoning it therefore could not have targeted transgender people. Separately, neuroscientists delve into the brain differences between sex and gender.
Democrats Trying To Woo Latino Men With Once-Taboo Abortion-Rights Talk
Signs show Latinos’ views have shifted since Roe v. Wade was overturned. “It is about trusting the people that we love to make those decisions for themselves,” one lawmaker said. Meanwhile, Black men remain reluctant to talk about abortion, indicating it’s not the most important issue for them.
Heat-Related Pavement Burns Rising As Western States Sizzle
Desert Southwest records more surface burns, but extreme heat can be problematic anywhere.
Viewpoints: Clearing Up IVF Misinformation; Safe Help For Teens Shouldn’t Be So Tricky
Editorial writers tackle IVF, teen mental health facilities, long covid, and Medicare drug pricing.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers discuss maternal mortality rates, health care consolidation, gender medicine, homelessness, and more.
House Panel Pares And Passes HHS 2025 Budget Along Party Lines
The proposal includes such Republican priorities as revamping the NIH, protections on limiting abortion access, and trimming Title X family grants. The measure, which still needs full House approval, isn’t likely to pass the Senate in its current form.
