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The reason for the unexpected swing toward abortion rights? Tightening races, The Washington Post reports. The news comes as former President Donald Trump spoke about encouraging Melania Trump to "write what you believe" about abortion. In advanced previews of her memoir, she appears pro-choice.
In other news about Eastern equine encephalitis, New Hampshire confirmed a fifth human case in an adult who has died. Plus, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., urges more help from the federal government to fight mosquito-borne diseases.
The effectiveness of this year's flu jab was lower in South America than for last season, which informs the CDC's analysis about protection the shot may offer people in the U.S. come flu season. CDC data does show the shot lowered hospitalization risks in the Southern Hemisphere dramatically, though.
Benadryl and EpiPens are being supplied to counter the sting after floodwaters and fallen trees displaced colonies of the nesting insect. Meanwhile, as the search for victims of the storm enters its second week, many still don't have running water.
TGIF! Here are today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
The study, published in the journal Nature, found that hurricanes and tropical storms can cause 7,000 to 11,000 excess deaths in the 15 years following the storm event. Also: News outlets report on hospital functioning during and in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
Stat reports that the outbreak is one of the biggest on record, and there are no licensed vaccines to fight the disease. The spread of bird flu, and the tick-borne disease Rickettsia parkeri are also in the news.
Federal data show vaccination levels dropped 2.3 points below the recommended 95% coverage level for kindergarteners, making it more likely that a single infection can cause an outbreak. Meanwhile, vaccination exemptions rose.
Editorial writers discuss these public health issues.
People should be wary of companies that don't require a prescription and offer deep discounts, the agency said. The warning comes several days after the Justice Department sued illegal online pharmacies selling counterfeit prescription pills that it says frequently contain fentanyl.
A particular plastic material commonly found in household goods like kitchen utensils may contain flame retardants that have been long banned. Meanwhile, a separate study found Southern California urban zones are exposed to chronic levels of "plasticizer" chemicals in the air.
Humana's stock took a tumble after the provider admitted to the SEC that only about 1 in 4 of its members were signed up to Medicare Advantage plans rated four stars or more. Meanwhile, CMS is making it harder in 2025 for insurers to get top marks, due to changes in the way stars are calculated.
The Republican vice presidential candidate's suggestion to tinker with the ACA raises fear that folks with chronic health conditions would pay more. Policy experts note his contradicting statements. “Anything that separates out pre-existing conditions is doomed to utter failure,” one said.
The decision to allow generic versions of lenacapavir, which would go to countries with the highest rates of infection, has the potential to bring about an end to the HIV pandemic.
In changing the negotiation process, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is encouraging more back and forth before making initial offers on medicines pegged for lower costs.
Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
CDC data also show that subvariant KP.2.3 is responsible for around 1 in 10 new cases. The two "KP" variants are part of a covid variant group known as “FLiRT." Meanwhile, Brigham researchers revealed a drug-free nasal spray that may block covid infections, and also flu and colds.
As of Tuesday, it's illegal in Florida to sleep on sidewalks, in parks, on beaches, or in other public spaces. Other news from around the nation is on medical marijuana in Arkansas, accusations of bias against Walmart, and the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
The announcements by Cigna, CVS, Humana, Centene, and UnitedHealth were made ahead of the beginning of Medicare Advantage enrollment, which begins Oct. 15. Among other news, a top California health plan will offer one of the world's top-selling drugs, Humira, for free to show how skirting middlemen can improve drug affordability.
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