Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: Is Talking About Kids’ Mental Health Making It Worse?
Editorial writers tackle mental health in the U.S.
Minnesota Lawmakers Expand State Health Insurance Program
Axios reports that Minnesota has now joined states like Colorado and Washington, which have turned to public option plans to control health costs. Among other news, the Texas House voted to repeal the state’s “tampon tax” on menstrual products.
US HIV Infection Rate Dips Thanks To Young People, CDC Says
New Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates show a 12% drop in new HIV infections in 2021 compared to 2017. In other news, a study shows HPV doesn’t often transmit to babies during pregnancy, and cookie dough is blamed for a six-state salmonella outbreak.
More Americans Skipped Seeking Care Over Cost Concerns
A new Federal Reserve Survey says while the share of Americans who skipped medical treatment over costs hit a low during 2020 and 2021, it rose substantially last year. Also, fewer people in families with low incomes reported being in good health. Plus: hospital DEI programs, hospital mergers, and more.
Congress Hammers PBMs Over Drug Pricing
And sometimes Congress misses the mark. Meanwhile, CMS announces that it will audit annually the prices of drugs covered by Medicaid. And among news from the pharmaceutical industry, an explainer on why employer insurance plans discourage the use of Ozempic.
Long Covid Research May Help In The Fight Against Chronic Fatigue
Meanwhile, a new U.S. study shows pre-infection covid shots are linked to lower odds of developing persistent symptoms. Bloomberg also reminds us that covid is still killing one person every four minutes. Also in the news: high blood pressure in Black Americans; and missing covid aid at the VA.
A Focus On Kids’ Mental Health, Social Media After Surgeon General’s Warning
After Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy outlined his concerns over how younger people’s relationship to social media may be harming their mental health, news outlets examine the risks, deliver hints on how parents can help, and look at other surgeon general warnings from the past.
Biden To Push For Action To Curb Gun Violence
And in a new poll, most Americans say fighting gun violence should take precedence over gun rights. Meanwhile, House Republicans will seek to repeal bipartisan gun reform measures. In other news: a call for Hollywood to depict safer gun use, and the mental health impact mass shootings have on children.
Medicaid Work Requirements At Center Of Ongoing Debt Talks
With leaders of both parties preparing to rally their members around certain debt limit negotiation compromises, stricter work requirements for recipients of Medicaid and SNAP remain a key sticking point. And the prospect of invoking the 14th Amendment will be explored in court.
Six-Week Abortion Ban Coming To South Carolina
South Carolina is set to limit abortion to six weeks. At least 25 states now restrict the procedure, with 14 banning most abortions. More on abortion pill vigilantes and how the politics of the issue can flummox Republican candidates.
One Year After The Uvalde Massacre: Agony, Anger, And Few Answers
On May 24, 2022, a gunman killed 19 children and two teachers inside a classroom at Robb Elementary School in Texas. Many parents say officers’ hesitant response, paired with the gunman’s use of an AR-style rifle, contributed to the high death toll. But demands for stricter gun control have mostly fallen on deaf ears.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers discuss these public health topics.
Michigan’s Red Flag Gun Violence Bills Become Law
The bills, signed by Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, will allow certain parties to petition courts to temporarily remove guns from someone who may pose a threat. Meanwhile, in California, a bill progresses that would ban some chemicals linked to health issues in food items like Skittles.
Research Points To Brain Regions For Future Chronic Pain Treatments
The new study, published in Nature Neuroscience, involved electrodes embedded in the brains of four people that captured data on chronic pain. Also, racism’s legacy on Black Americans’ health; over 36,000 older people in the U.S. died in falls in 2020; and more.
Novo Nordisk Says Daily Pill Version Of Wegovy Effective In Study
The weight loss drug, also known as semaglutide, is usually delivered as a once-weekly shot. Separately, Amazon-owned PillPack suffered a cyberattack that affected the accounts of nearly 20,000 customers. Also in the news, Walgreens, Humana, and Ironwood Pharmaceuticals.
With Reports From Nurses, Worries Over Worsening Violence
The Philadelphia Inquirer reports how working at hospitals like Albert Einstein Medical Center is more dangerous since the pandemic. Meanwhile, the Star Tribune reports on a deal to remove nurse hospital staffing regulations from legislation in Minnesota, with a new focus on preventing violence.
Prisons Failed Incarcerated During Covid: Study
A study revealed that problems with the covid responses in U.S. prisons were worse than previously thought. In other news, criticisms of a long-covid trial methodology, higher risks of a clotting in heart attack patients with a covid infection, no link between covid boosters and miscarriage, and more.
FDA Approves Another Nasal Spray To Reverse Overdoses
Opvee is similar to naloxone, a drug that has been used for decades to quickly counter overdoses of heroin, fentanyl, and prescription painkillers. In other news, President Joe Biden asks Congress to pass a bill to reduce fentanyl trafficking.
Unspent Covid Funds May Be Off The Table In Debt Limit Talks
Axios reports that Democrats are reconsidering taking back unspent covid funds to make a deal.
