Latest KFF Health News Stories
4.2% Medicare Pay Raise Coming To Nursing Homes In Fiscal 2025
The rate is higher than the 4.1% the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services proposed in March. Also in the news: Humana predicts losing a few hundred thousand Medicare Advantage members next year; Google is not renewing its contract with Amazon One Medical for staff care; and more.
Private-Equity Firms Are Gutting US Health Care Facilities, Study Says
Hospitals are finding it harder to care for patients when equipment, information technology, and other assets are taken away after private equity buys hospitals. Separately, surprise medicals bills and insurance denial fights are also in the news.
Republicans Pressing To Give Fetuses Same Rights As People
Missouri Rep. Brian Seitz, a Republican, wants to reintroduce a fetal personhood bill, with possibly dramatic consequences for reproductive health treatments like abortion and IVF, Stateline reports.
Older Americans Act Renewal Wins Bipartisan Support Of Senate Panel
The $15 billion measure, which bumps up spending more than 40%, now heads to the full Senate.
Pentagon Sets Out To Woo Patients, Doctors Back To Military Health System
The Defense Health Agency has been tasked with building a top-notch workforce and regaining the trust of service members around the globe. Separately, although veterans’ benefits are on the line, Senate conservatives are reluctant to get behind a bill to address the VA’s budget shortfall.
In Controversial Interviews, Trump Stirs Up Issues Of ‘Birtherism,’ Racism
In recent days, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has attacked Vice President Kamala Harris’ racial identity and religious views. Health research has shown that experiencing racism can dramatically impact a person’s health, and many cities have declared racism a public health crisis.
Younger Generations At Greater Risk Of Developing Cancer Than Baby Boomers
However, American Cancer Society researchers found that the risk of dying from the disease has stabilized or declined in Gen X and Millennials. In a separate study, researchers found the survival rate for cancer patients who undergo a double mastectomy is the same as for patients who don’t.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Read recent pharmaceutical developments in KFF Health News’ Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Editorial writers tackle these issues and others.
Getting A Shingles Vaccine Might Lower Your Dementia Risk
The breakthrough came after scientists looked at the health records of hundreds of thousands of people across the U.S. Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reports on two blood tests that may predict people’s risk of heart disease more than standard tests do.
Legal Issues Stall Biden’s Push To Help Trans Students Across The States
Politico says legal entanglements mean nearly half of states don’t have to abide by President Joe Biden’s new Title IX policies designed to protect trans and pregnant students’ civil rights. In other news, police caught one of four teens who escaped a psychiatric facility in Washington, D.C.
CMS Raises Medicare Pay For Hospices By 2.9% In Fiscal 2025
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ final hospice provider reimbursement boost is higher than the 2.6% proposed in March. Also in health industry and pharma news: HealthPartners, Community Health Systems, Mount Sinai, Eisai, Biogen, and more.
Livestock Workers Urged To Get Flu Vax As More Cases Of Bird Flu Reported
Nine poultry workers in Colorado have been infected with bird flu, bringing the total to 14 across the nation since 2022. Meanwhile, the CDC will put $5 million toward seasonal flu vaccines for livestock workers. USA Today explains how the seasonal flu vax can help prevent bird flu.
Report Says Meta Is Running Ads For Illegal Drugs Like Cocaine
The Wall Street Journal reports that months after its investigation found Facebook and Instagram ads steering users to illegal drug marketplaces, the company has run “hundreds” more despite facing a federal investigation. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden pressed Congress to tackle fentanyl traffickers.
Senate Passes Bills Aimed At Protecting Online Privacy And Safety For Children
The twin measures would require tech platforms to institute measures to ensure kids are not harmed. The bills now head to the House for consideration. Also, a bipartisan effort is underway to create a mental health hotline for first responders.
The controversial policy document from conservative think tank the Heritage Foundation took a position further right than the Trump campaign does, the Hill notes. Forbes and Mother Jones describe how the platform could lead to a nationwide abortion ban.
Since Roe Fell, More Women Have Tried To End Pregnancies By Themselves
Just as abortion rights supporters predicted: The number of women who “self-managed” their abortion — which means, as The Guardian notes, doing it outside the formal health care system — rose to 7% from 5% since Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022.
Preteen Suicide Rates Rose About 8% Each Year From 2008-22, Study Finds
Although boys still more often take their own lives, girls account for a disproportionate increase in child suicide rates. Moreover, the bulk of young Americans who died by suicide did not have a mental health diagnosis.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
