Latest KFF Health News Stories
Biden’s Neurological Exams Were Just Routine, White House Doctor Says
Official visitor logs show an expert on Parkinson’s disease visited the White House eight times, including at least once for a meeting with the president’s physician. Officials say that this was part of his usual care and that other visits were to address military personnel issues.
New GOP Platform Barely Mentions Abortion
Heading into the Republication National Convention, the party stripped down its stated desires, but not all are happy with the softened stance. Separately, at the state level, abortion-ban fallout and battles continue in Florida and Texas.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Our Primary Care System Needs A Boost Before Next Pandemic; ‘Heartbeat’ Bills Cause Harm
Editorial writers tackle primary care, infant mortality post-Roe, Alzheimer’s, and more.
Obesity-Related Cancers May Be Less Likely For Ozempic Patients
People who took GLP-1s for Type 2 diabetes were found to have lower risk for obesity-related cancers than people who were treated with insulin, a study found. Meanwhile researchers suggest that experiencing bright lights at night could lift your diabetes risk.
Record-Breaking Heat Wave Sears West, Prompts Warnings For 10% Of US
The heat wave is showing no signs of giving up, and, over the weekend, it caused deaths in the West, sent many to hospitals, and prompted excessive heat warnings for about 1 in 10 people in the country. Meanwhile, West Nile virus may be circulating more than usual.
Rule Requiring Faster Reporting Of Hacks Is Resisted By Health Industry
Axios says the health industry’s reasoning for pushing back against a new Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency rule is that it may actually hinder their responses during a crisis.
Human Plague Case In Colorado: Warnings Include Looking After Pets
No details about the infected person have been reported. Fox News notes that plague is endemic among ground squirrels and rodents and that pets can be a vector. Other news is on measles, bird flu, and malaria.
Florida ERs See Jump In Covid Cases, Nearing Last Winter’s Peaks
CBS News reports that Florida’s weekly average of emergency room patients with covid ranks among the highest of any state during this summer’s surge. Other covid updates are on the KP.3 variant, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, nursing home vaccination rates, and more.
Conservatives Lash Out At Trump Over Possible Change To Abortion Platform
The Washington Post reported that the behind-the-scenes disagreement over the Republican National Committee’s platform has become so tense in recent weeks that some social conservative leaders have issued public warnings of a coming split within Donald Trump’s coalition.
Citing ‘Personal Autonomy,’ Kansas High Court Affirms Right To Abortion
Providers may perform dilation and extraction procedure as allowed under the state’s constitution, the court ruled. Meanwhile, a ballot measure to enshrine abortion rights in Arkansas is gaining momentum after groups supporting it collected enough signatures to make the November ballot.
Insurers Bilked $50B From Medicare For Dubious Diagnoses, Review Finds
In its analysis of the Medicare Advantage program, The Wall Street Journal looked at details of “doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions and other care.” Separately, a Stat review has found that more than two dozen Medicare Advantage insurers now qualify for big taxpayer-funded bonuses.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
CDC Reports Fourth US Dairy Worker Bird Flu Infection; First in Colorado
The CDC said Wednesday that a fourth person has been infected with bird flu in the U.S. this year. The person, who works on a dairy farm in Colorado, experienced eye inflammation, and recovered after treatment. The other three cases, in Texas and Michigan, were mild and linked to dairy farms as well. The CDC said in a statement that it continues to regard the ongoing bird flu outbreak in dairy cattle as a low risk to the general public.
Opinion writers tackle these topics and others.
Massachusetts Bill Takes Steps Against Sexual Assaults By Medical Staff
The bill would also cover clergy members and is aimed at protecting patients who suffer inappropriate contact or assault. Meanwhile, Boston has ended funding for a needle collection program, and West Nile virus was detected in the state for the first time this year.
FDA Bans Brominated Vegetable Oil In Foods Over Safety Concerns
The chemical, which is used as a flavor additive but is also used separately in fire retardants, is no longer considered safe. Meanwhile, the CDC and FDA have said the salmonella outbreak in cucumbers has been linked to a Florida grower.
DOJ Opens Investigation Into Potential Fraud At Prospect Medical Holdings
In other industry news, UCSF must continue charity care, stick to price growth caps and more to allow its $100 million takeover of St. Mary’s Medical Center and Saint Francis Memorial Hospital; Walmart has been looking for buyers for its shuttered medical clinics; and more.
US Preps For Possible Pandemic, Taps Moderna To Make Bird Flu Vaccine
As the virus spreads to more cattle and poultry, the government also enlisted commercial labs to help amp up its supply of tests that would detect the H5N1 bird flu in humans. Meanwhile, as covid cases soar in Western states, the NIH begins testing its nasal covid vaccine.
White House Clarifies Where It Stands On Gender-Affirming Care For Children
“We believe these surgeries should be limited to adults,” a White House spokesperson told The 19th in an email Tuesday. “We continue to support gender-affirming care for minors, which represents a continuum of care.”
