Latest KFF Health News Stories
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health topics.
Telehealth Company Cerebral Shared Information On 3.1 Million Patients
Cerebral, a startup, said it shared data of more than 3.1 million patients with advertisers, Facebook, Google, and TikTok. In other news, UnitedHealth beneficiaries revive a case about the company denying mental health claims as not medically necessary based on internal coverage guidelines aimed at keeping down costs, rather than on generally accepted standards of care.
West Virginia Bill Banning Health Care For Trans Minors Heads To Governor
The bill would prohibit those younger than 18 from being prescribed hormone therapy and also includes a ban on gender-affirming surgery for minors, AP reported. It’s unclear whether Republican Gov. Jim Justice will sign the legislation.
FDA Approves Migraine Nasal Spray Zavzpret
The FDA also approved the first treatment for Rett syndrome. Also, shorter doctor visits lead to inappropriate antibiotic prescribing.
Bank Failure Impacts Health-Tech Startups
The failure of Silicon Valley Bank sent many health care technology startups scrambling. It did business with about half of the nation’s tech and biotech companies, says Stat.
Fourth Year Of The Global Covid Pandemic Begins
How has life changed? Media outlets take a look at our past and possible future. Also, other news on covid vaccines, long covid, and continued threats to public health officials.
Biden Urged To Declassify Information On Covid Origins
On a unanimous vote, the House of Representatives sent a bill to President Joe Biden’s desk seeking more information on a potential lab leak in China. Meanwhile, the head of the World Health Organization said discovering the origins are a “moral imperative.”
Expanding Medicare Drug Coverage May Spell Disaster, Policy Experts Warn
Adding expensive obesity drugs to the list of covered drugs could add tens of billions of dollars to the cost of Medicare and would likely lead to a rise in premiums, researchers say.
Shhh: Texas Abortion-Drug Case Hearing Scheduled For Wednesday
The Texas judge presiding over the case sought to keep the hearing from being publicized, fearing disruptions. Other news on Florida’s proposed abortion ban, Maryland’s effort to protect the right to an abortion, and other legal cases.
Study: Most Men Don’t Need Aggressive Treatment For Prostate Cancer
The findings, published Saturday in the New England Journal of Medicine, suggested that active monitoring was a safe alternative to immediate surgery or radiation. The authors pointed out that “more aggressive therapy can result in more harm than good.”
SIDS Rate For Black Infants Jumped 15% In First Year Of Pandemic
The cause remains unclear, but the study’s authors noted that the pandemic exacerbated overcrowded housing, potentially leading to less-safe sleeping practices, such as bed sharing.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: New Weight Loss Drugs Have Changed The Industry; Abortion Bans Have Dire Consequences
Editorial writers tackle these public health issues.
Medicaid Expansion Moves Forward In New Hampshire With Unanimous Vote
The state Senate gave preliminary approval to continue the expanded Medicaid program and make it permanent, AP reports. Meanwhile, in Wisconsin, Republican lawmakers blocked a plan by the governor to mandate student vaccinations against meningitis and chickenpox.
Mexico’s President Contends His Nation Isn’t Behind US Fentanyl Problem
“Despite enormous evidence to the contrary,” as AP describes it, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said Mexico doesn’t produce or consume fentanyl, and the opioid epidemic is a U.S. matter. He argued the U.S. doesn’t look after its young people and that family values could be a solution.
Study: Millennials Using More Health Services Than Other Generations
A new study found that Millennials are seeking more help for health matters than ever. In other startling news, Newsweek says data show murder-suicides have reached a record high in the country. Hepatitis B, Havana Syndrome, treating obesity in children, and more are among other subjects in the news.
Drugmakers Delay Resupply Of Local Anesthetics, Prolonging Shortages
Drugmakers have reportedly told the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists that they have further delayed resupply dates for key local anesthetics. Separately, worries deepen over the shortage of the respiratory drug albuterol as a lead manufacturer filed for bankruptcy.
States Struggle With More Hospital Closures
New Hampshire is losing another hospital’s labor and delivery department, while in Pennsylvania, legislators attempt to prevent the abrupt closing of hospitals.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on mental health, dementia, lab rats, tampons, covid, autism, and more.
NY Governor Presses Pharmacies To Confirm They’ll Supply Abortion Meds
Gov. Kathy Hochul and state Attorney General Tish James are asking three of the nation’s largest pharmacy chains to confirm they will dispense abortion medications in New York and across the U.S. Separately, Walgreens pushed back on criticism from California’s governor over the pills.
