Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: Supreme Court Dismissing EMTALA Case Is Dangerous; PBMs Aren’t Lowering Drug Prices
Editorial writers discuss reproductive health care, prescription drug costs, and addiction treatment.
Little Health Chatter At Republican Convention
News outlets fact check the few health-related statements made during Day 4 of the Republican National Convention, including in presidential nominee Donald Trump’s speech. On the other side of the ticket, eyes are fixed on Delaware where President Joe Biden contemplates his future.
Health Care Among Industries Struck By Global Technology Outage
A widespread computer error, which began in the middle of the night, is forcing PCs to repeatedly crash with the fabled Microsoft “blue screen of death” issue. Measles, bird flu, and the summer covid surge also are in the news.
San Francisco Cancer Research Nonprofit Gains $125 Million Donation
The Parker Institute of Cancer Immunotherapy will distribute the funds from tech executive Sean Parker and other philanthropists over the next five years to boost cancer research. Abbott Laboratories, Boehringer-GoodRx, Sidecar Health, and more are also in the news.
HIV Success: Stem Cell Transplant Cured Infection In German Patient
While celebrating the breakthrough, experts caution that this type of treatment might not help everyone and that more study is needed. Meanwhile, a pregnant woman’s diet could be linked to her child’s autism risk, research suggests.
‘Very Aggressive’ Crackdown On SF Homeless Camps Set For August
The U.S. Supreme Court just three weeks ago granted cities power to evict unhoused people from encampments. More health industry news comes from New York, Massachusetts, Montana, and more.
Republicans Tempered Talk About Abortion
After Republican nominee Donald Trump pared back the party’s platform to take attention off his celebrated achievement of overturning Roe v. Wade, Republican National Convention speakers pivot to other topics this week. More news about abortion and women’s health comes from Florida, Kansas, Mississippi, and Alabama.
Psychedelic Mushroom Candies Include Illegal Hallucinogens, Testing Finds
Virginia consumers, including a 3-year-old child, have been falling ill after ingesting products that contain substances that they should not. Also in the news: MDMA clinical trials and cannabis sales.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Research Roundup: H5N1 Vaccines; Memory Loss; Psilocybin; Mental Health
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Editorial writers tackle home health care, emergency medical services, AI in health care, and clinical trials.
With N.C. Budget Adjustment Delayed, DHHS Braces For Medicaid Shortfall
The department is staring down a $100 million shortfall by the end of this fiscal year, officials say. Separately, Maryland and Colorado also are making decisions about health care costs.
Illinois Reports Its First West Nile Case This Year
In other news from across the country, Massachusetts House and Senate negotiators compromised on a gun bill that cracks down on “ghost guns;” two people die from heat-related causes in Baltimore City; extreme heat hits Phoenix, Sacramento, and Portland, Oregon; and more.
Millions Of Bacteria Discovered In Sealed Bottles Of Tattoo Ink
According to the FDA, the bacteria were also found in sealed bottles of permanent makeup ink. Other news on public health covers two deaths in Canada from contaminated milk substitutes, a ranking of states with regard to women’s health, tips for staying hydrated in extreme heat, and more.
Mark Cuban Aims At A Temporary Fix For Penicillin Shortages, Via Imports
Cuban’s Cost Plus Drug Company is working with the FDA to import and distribute penicillin temporarily to offset the shortage of Pfizer supplies. Humana, Ardent Health, Novartis, and more are also in health industry news.
Scientist’s MRIs Highlight Psilocybin Boosting Brain Plasticity
NPR reports on fascinating research that shows how taking the psychedelic drug psilocybin changes brain process, producing mind-altering effects and temporary boosts to the brain’s ability to adapt and change. In other research news, CBD may protect skin from the sun.
Doctor’s Assessment Weighs Heavily On Whether Biden Will Stay In Race
No doctor has told the president that he is physically unfit to hold office, and Biden believes he has the wisdom and experience to do the job. Meanwhile, GOP nominee Donald Trump is mum about his physical and mental health after he was wounded in an assassination attempt.
Democrats Would Suspend Filibuster To Codify Abortion Rights If They Win Congress
“We have the votes” to suspend the filibuster to codify Roe v. Wade, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts said Wednesday, announcing the Democrats’ plan if they win the House and Senate in the November elections. Meanwhile, it’s reported that Republican vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance has pushed the Justice Department to crack down on abortion pills via the 151 year-old Comstock Act.
President Biden Has Covid: Isolating With ‘Mild Symptoms,’ Taking Paxlovid
President Joe Biden’s positive test comes amid another summer surge of the virus. Also, studies look at vaccines and the risk for long covid.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
