Latest KFF Health News Stories
Rural NC County Aims To Reopen Hospital Using New Federal Program
The effort is happening in Martin County and leverages a federal program set up by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 to try to reopen a facility closed in 2023 for financial reasons. Boosted nursing programs in North Carolina are among other news.
Harvard Says It Will Keep Sackler Name On Campus Buildings Despite Protests
The decision runs counter to several other institutions who have removed the name, including Tufts University and the Louvre in Paris. In other news: An employee who died at a California prison may have been exposed to fentanyl while opening mail.
Covid Is Now Categorized As Endemic Disease, US Health Officials Say
The revised classification means covid is here to stay, but we can manage it better because it is now predictable. The change in stance does not affect any guidance on how to deal with the disease and comes as reports show most areas of the U.S. are seeing consistent rises in covid infections.
Michigan Health Department Reports Human Case Of Swine Flu
The state’s Department of Health and Human Services says the source of the patient’s exposure is still under investigation but that the risk to the public is low. The person has recovered.
Schumer Vows To Block Measure That Would Slash CDC Funding 22%
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., says he’ll reject any legislation that includes the cut. A current bill in the House also aims to pare spending on programs that address firearm injuries and opioid overdose prevention.
FDA Rejects MDMA As PTSD Treatment
California-based Lykos Therapeutics plans to ask the agency to reconsider its decision after concerns were raised about the data surrounding the psychedelic drug’s effectiveness. Separately, the FDA gave the go-ahead for an epinephrine nasal spray to treat allergic reactions.
First Edition: Monday, Aug. 12, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Hospital Workers Need A Safer Environment; Opioid Crisis Could Benefit From Legal Weed
Opinion writers tackle these issues and more.
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 undiagnosed diseases, covid, elder care, Neuralink, and more.
15 GOP-Led States Sue Biden Admin Over Health Coverage For ‘Dreamers’
Effective Nov. 1, DACA immigrants will have access to insurance and related assistance such as lower out-of-pocket costs. The lawsuit filed Thursday says the rule violates federal law. Plus: In a loss for the pharmaceutical industry, an Ohio judge has tossed out a Medicare drug negotiation lawsuit.
CMS: Authorities Can Levy More Fines For Nursing Home Safety Violations
Under a CMS final rule, regulators can now fine nursing home providers on both per-day and per-instance bases. In other news: a focus on how violent dementia patients can affect staff and residents in nursing homes; a nurse strike at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital is avoided; more.
Covid No Longer Among Top 5 Causes Of Death In The US
News that the virus is causing fewer deaths — it has slipped to 10th from fourth place — comes amid a summer surge that has Chicago health officials warning attendees of the music festival Lollapalooza to get checked out. Also, as measles cases spike, officials urge parents to vaccinate their kids.
Using Marijuana Daily For Years May Raise Head, Neck Cancer Risks: Study
Separately, researchers found FDA-approved anti-nausea drug aprepitant may help battle breast cancer, stopping its spread. The FDA has also approved an immunotherapy drug for endometrial cancer patients.
Trump Dangles Notion Of Federal Restrictions On Abortion Pills
The GOP nominee hasn’t said that he’ll support federal limitations on mifepristone, but on Thursday, he wouldn’t rule it out, either. Separately, a look at how Democrats Kamala Harris and Tim Walz bonded over reproductive rights.
FDA May Decide Today If MDMA Therapy For PTSD Will Be Approved
The decision will come after a decades-long campaign to legalize the psychedelic as a mainstream treatment — though the FDA could also put off a ruling if it needs to review clinical trial data. Among other news, magic mushroom use in palliative care, and the rise of legal psilocybin truffles.
Promising New Weapon Against HIV Soon To Be Tested In Humans
A study involving therapeutic interfering particles, or TIPs, suggests that just one shot of TIPs may keep HIV at low levels — permanently. Not only would this treatment hold off the development of AIDS, but it might make it harder for people to spread HIV to others, The New York Times reported.
North Carolina Nurses Oppose NH Hospital Merger, Citing HCA History
The North Carolina nurses seek to block HCA taking over the Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, New Hampshire. At the health chain, the nurses say, “The bottom line is prioritized over patient care.”
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Research Roundup: Heart Attack; Pneumonia; Keto; C. Diff
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
Parsing Policy: ‘Tampon Tim’ Supports Menstrual Equity; We Can’t Treat Bird Flu Like Covid
Editorial writers discuss these health topics and others.
