Latest KFF Health News Stories
Health Care Gap Shrank From 2019-23, But ‘Unwinding’ Might Undo Some Of It
Preliminary survey results released Tuesday by the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics showed that in 2023, 25 million Americans of all ages were uninsured, down from 33.2 million in 2019, Bloomberg reported. Plus: medical debt forgiveness.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations. Note to readers: KFF Health News’ First Edition will not be published tomorrow, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth. Look for it again in your inbox Thursday.
Editorial writers discuss superbugs, medical billing, AI health applications, and more.
Major US Heat Wave Could Affect You Even More If You Take Certain Meds
Diuretics, ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, antidepressants, and stimulants for ADHD are just some of the medications that could cause dehydration, raise your risk of fainting, or other problems. Doctors are advising people to use air conditioning and to drink plenty of water.
Person Or Property? Texas High Court Won’t Weigh In On State Of Embryos
A Dallas IVF patient still may appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to have her embryos declared as people. Also in the news: fallout from the Southern Baptist vote and a defense policy measure that includes provisions on abortion and transgender care.
Federal Effort To Lower Opioid Overdoses By 40% Failed To Work
Stat says the study, which began in 2019 and was aimed at using evidence-based interventions, didn’t actually curb opioid overdose deaths. Separately, the Boston Globe reports on growing overdoses in that city last year, and KCUR reports on an opioid antidote initiative from Kansas prisons.
US Patent Office Takes Aim At Pharma Industry Pricing Strategy
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is targeting “patent thickets,” a tactic used by companies to delay arrival of competing generic medicines, which typically cost less. Meanwhile, the CEO of Novo Nordisk is set to testify before the Senate about the high cost of Ozempic and Wegovy.
Fauci’s Memoir Reveals Covid Response Details, Highlights His Life In Service
Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, writes in his new book that early in the pandemic, he worried that “we were in trouble if citizens were growing distrustful of the government’s approach to COVID.” His memoir hits shelves Tuesday.
Core Electronic Health Records System Is Back Online After Ascension Attack
Additional systems compromised in the cyberattack are still being worked on, the company says. Meanwhile, in the wake of the Change Healthcare cyberattack, Medicare and Medicaid patients will have extra time to file disputes over claims.
Surgeon General Urges Congress To Put Warning Labels On Social Media
Dr. Vivek Murthy points to the effects of social media on children and teens, arguing that a warning label would convey “that social media has not been proved safe.” Also in the news: Stanford’s online misinformation research group may shut down; study suggests dads should be screened for postpartum depression; and more.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers tackle vaccine hesitancy, reproductive rights, and rural health care.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on weight loss drugs, diabetes tech, marijuana, space travel, and more.
Guns Are Stored Insecurely At Home By Up To 43% Of Owners, CDC Study Finds
The issue has contributed to the high rate of unintentional firearm deaths among children. Also in the news: the Lewiston, Maine, shooting commission, melanoma, and more.
Federal Judge Blocks Trans Protections In 4 States
President Joe Biden’s Title IX rules to protect transgender people from gender discrimination were temporarily blocked by U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty of Louisiana, a nominee of President Donald Trump. The judge said the rules were an “abuse of power.”
Pentagon Ran Effort To Smear Chinese Covid Shots In Philippines: Reuters
A Reuters investigation revealed a previously unreported story about a secret U.S. military effort to attack perceived rising Chinese influence in the Philippines during the pandemic. The operation sowed doubt about safety and efficacy of Chinese-made covid shots and also attacked face mask quality and test kits.
Telehealth Execs Charged In Alleged Scheme To Bilk Pharmacies, Insurers
Done Global’s founder and head doctor are accused of targeting patients seeking stimulants and “deceptive” advertising, the Justice Department alleges. As a result of the charges, patients in need of ADHD drugs and other stimulants might find those medications hard to come by.
Employee Mistake Caused Ascension Cyberattack
The simple mistake — accidentally downloading a file with malicious code inside — likely enabled criminals to access hospital system files that contained personal information, Ascension says. In other news: Heat shutters a Chicago ER, hospital-at-home services expand, and more.
Chronically Understaffed US Hospitals Saw More Covid Deaths, Data Indicate
Covid survival likelihood was found to be related to hospitals’ pre-pandemic investment in nursing services. Separately, a nurses union representing staff at LA’s Riverside Community Hospital was fined $6 million for a strike that happened at the start of the covid pandemic in 2020.
Bird Flu Outbreak In Dairy Cows Might Be Tough To Curb, USDA Reports Hint
Agriculture Department documents note that even on farms that didn’t take in outside cattle, herds were contracting the virus and that it was likely a result of movement of workers and shared equipment. Meanwhile, a global health expert denounced the U.S. response to the outbreaks, saying it is “shocking to watch the ineptitude.”
