Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: MRNA Cancer Vaccine Looks Promising; What We Should Know About Variant XBB.1.5
Editorial writers delve into these public health topics.
First-Of-Its-Kind Autism Test Could Help With Earlier Diagnosis
LinusBio researchers say they’ve developed a test using a single strain of hair that could be used by clinicians as a diagnostic tool before symptoms of autism manifest. Other news reports on mpox, polio, Parkinson’s, and others.
Biden Will Use Title 42 Health Policy To Expel Migrants From 4 Nations
President Joe Biden has repeatedly decried use of the pandemic-era border measure and even declared Thursday, “I don’t like Title 42” — just moments after making a speech saying he would rapidly expel migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela entering the U.S. illegally.
NIH Launches Remote Program For Covid Testing, Consults, Treatments
The National Institutes of Health’s new pilot program is designed to allow people to receive free covid-related telehealth care, and it’s thought up to 8,000 people may use the “Home Test to Treat” site. Meanwhile, the latest worrisome covid variant is driving up hospitalizations on the East Coast.
FDA Steady On Abortion Pills: Rejects Pushes To Widen, Restrict Access
Media outlets report on efforts to: limit abortion pill access, from a conservative group; and to expand access, from a medical group seeking more use of mifepristone in miscarriages. Meanwhile, the Boston Globe reports on how some pharmacies may, or may not, decide to dispense the drugs.
Idaho’s High Court Tosses Out Lawsuits Challenging Near-Total Abortion Ban
Idaho’s Supreme Court upheld three state laws that ban nearly all abortion and allow prosecution of medical providers, ruling that there is “no implicit right” to abortion in the Idaho constitution. On the heels of South Carolina’s high court ruling the other way, the contradictory decisions offer a prime example of the complicated legal landscape in the U.S.
South Carolina’s 6-Week Abortion Ban Overturned By State’s Supreme Court
In a 3-2 decision, the South Carolina Supreme Court struck down a state law banning abortion when an ultrasound detects a fetal heartbeat. Justice Kaye Hearn wrote in the majority opinion: “Six weeks is, quite simply, not a reasonable period of time for these two things to occur, and therefore the act violates our constitution’s prohibition against unreasonable invasions of privacy.”
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Large Toxic ‘Forever’ Chemical Plume Hits Lake Michigan
News outlets cover a sizeable plume of toxic PFAS chemicals that have leaked into Lake Michigan’s Green Bay from a plant that makes firefighting foam. Some detected levels far exceed EPA drinking water health limits. Other news comes from New Jersey, Massachusetts, Texas, and elsewhere.
TikTok Weight Loss Buzz Leads To Diabetes Drug Shortage
Bloomberg reports on how an online meme is leading to serious supply shortages of Type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic. In other health industry news, Aetna wins a N.C. contract, Moderna buys a Japanese drugmaker to boost its mRNA drug efforts, and more.
Report: Clot Buster Linked To Patient Death In Alzheimer’s Drug Trial
A patient’s death during what’s said to be a “closely watched” trial of Eisai’s lecanemab Alzheimer’s drug has now been linked to a blood clot buster drug given after the patient had a stroke. Success of a blood cancer drug and an inflammatory bowel disease drug are among other science news.
Viewpoints: Nonmedical Vaccine Exemptions Need An Overhaul; CDC’s Opioid Restrictions Are Dangerous
Editorial writers examine these public health issues.
Research Roundup: Acute Heart Failure; Chemotherapy; Covid; Nasal Swabs For ‘Stealthy’ Viruses
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
‘As Scarce As Taylor Swift Tickets:’ The Saga Of Finding Children’s Tylenol
Axios reports on why the shortage of children’s Tylenol and Motrin continues, much to the frustration of parents of young children. Other public health news touches on forever chemicals, ketamine clinics for mental health, marijuana use among young adults, and more.
Watchdog Finds That Gaps In CMS Oversight Cost Medicare Part B Millions
Medicare Part B and its beneficiaries missed out on millions in savings related to drug payments, according to a report from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Inspector General. HHS also issued a new rule on Medicaid reimbursements.
NFL Player’s Heart Incident Prompts Calls For More To Learn CPR
News outlets cover calls from doctors for more members of the public to learn lifesaving CPR techniques in the wake of Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest during a game Monday night. Hamlin is reportedly showing some signs of improvement, but remains in critical condition.
Walgreens, CVS Will Pursue Certification To Sell Abortion Pills
Pharmacy giants Walgreens and CVS said Wednesday that they will take the regulatory steps to be able to dispense mifepristone, the first drug in the two-drug protocol of a medicated abortion. The decisions follow a new FDA rule allowing retail pharmacies to dispense the medication for the first time.
Biden, WHO Question China’s Covid Death Reports
President Joe Biden and global health officials raised concerns that covid-related deaths are underreported and want China to be more forthcoming about the state of the crisis. In the U.S., local news outlets report that the virus is flaring in some regions while stable in others.
Growth Of ‘Most Transmissible Subvariant’ XBB.1.5 Worries Health Officials
The World Health Organization says the omicron strain XBB.1.5, which has become the dominant variant in the U.S. over a matter of weeks, could drive cases up. Dr. Ashish Jha, White House pandemic response coordinator, called its growth “stunning” but cautioned against panic. Scientists are working to determine if the subvariant also causes more severe illness.
First Edition: January 5, 2023
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
