Latest KFF Health News Stories
Florida’s Governor Signs Laws To Limit Public Health Protections Like Vaccines
Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, signed a set of “medical freedom” laws, Axios reports, including bans on mask and vaccine mandates, plus new conscience protections for health providers. Another move forces hospitals that accept Medicaid to quiz patients on their immigration status.
Mpox Is No Longer A Public Health Emergency: WHO
The global health emergency status of mpox lasted 10 months, but the World Health Organization now says it’s time to focus on managing the long-term aspects of the viral disease. Meanwhile, drug-resistant ringworm is found in the U.S. for the first time.
Pressure Rises On NIH Over Slow Progress Against Long Covid
Rep. Anna Eshoo, the House Energy and Commerce health subcommittee’s top Democrat, is demanding answers from the National Institutes of Health over its slow progress in tackling long covid. Sleep apnea’s link to long covid is also in the news.
Ohio’s August Election Has Huge Implications For Abortion Rights
The GOP-controlled legislature approved an Aug. 8 measure that will ask voters to increase the threshold needed to change the constitution from 50% to 60%, a move aimed at defeating a likely ballot measure in the November election that would guarantee abortion rights. August elections typically have a low turnout.
White House Targets Staff-To-Patient Numbers; Nursing Homes Push Back
Axios explains a “fight” over nursing home staff mandates is pitting the industry against organized labor and some senior lawmakers in Congress, as the Biden administration wants to mandate staffing numbers to assure high-quality care. Other news includes nursing staff pickets, layoffs, and more.
Drug Shortages May Get Even Worse; Cancer Drugs Among Worst-Hit
A report in CIDRAP says that while covid worsened the U.S. health care supply chain, it was “in trouble long before” and that drug and medical device shortages could get worse, according to experts. CNN notes cancer drugs are among the top 5 most affected.
CDC Data Show Teen Mental Health Crisis May Be Fading As Covid Wanes
New CDC data show U.S. adolescents made fewer weekly visits to emergency departments for mental health issues in Fall 2022 compared to 2021. But teen suicide and overdose ED visit rates remain high.
Judge Strikes Down Barrier On 18- To 20-Year-Olds From Buying Handguns
The ruling would dismantle decades-old laws and regulations that prohibit federally licensed firearms dealers from selling handguns to those under 21. U.S. District Judge Robert E. Payne said the measures violated the Second Amendment.
Debt Meeting Pushed To Next Week While Behind-The-Scenes Deal Sought
As the U.S. inches closer to possible debt default, The Wall Street Journal reports that staff-level talks have made progress toward a compromise, including over clawing back unspent pandemic funds from the states. And Vox examines the role of Medicaid work requirements in the negotiations.
Senate HELP Committee Passes Drug-Pricing Bills, Skips One PBM Reform
The measures that the Senate health panel did advance include provisions that would ban pharmacy benefit managers from using so-called spread pricing and would require them to pass along rebates and payments they receive to insurers. Chair Bernie Sanders dropped for now one major PBM reform to end administrative fees based on a percentage of a drug’s list price.
More Gay Men Now Eligible To Donate Blood Under Final FDA Rules
Blood banks can now implement revised FDA guidelines that allow gay and bisexual men in monogamous relationships to give blood in the U.S. without abstaining from sex.
HHS’ $5B ‘Project NextGen’ Aims To Develop New Coronavirus Shots, Drugs
Axios reports that the majority of that funding will go to the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority for public-private partnerships — similar to the Operation Warp Speed model — to create next generation covid treatments and “pan-coronavirus vaccines.”
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Will Your Next Therapist Be AI?; We Should Look To Serbia’s Example To Curb Gun Violence
Editorial writers examine AI therapy, gun violence, futile care and more.
Different Takes: We Can’t Forget Long Covid Sufferers; How Did US Covid Response Fail So Miserably?
Opinion writers share their thoughts on covid in America.
Research Roundup: Long Covid; Dementia; DNAzyme
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies.
Buprenorphine, Effective For Opioid Addiction, Is Underprescribed: Study
From 2016 through 2019, little more than 20% of patients diagnosed with opioid use disorder filed prescriptions for buprenorphine, a large new study found. Media outlets note the study says underprescribing is worse for Black patients.
Mass. Court Upholds $37M Case Against Marlboro Over ‘Light’ Cigarettes
The highest court in the state upheld a nearly $37 million judgment won by a woman who had sued Marlboro after getting cancer after switching to Light cigarettes, which the maker claimed was safer, AP reports. Also: trans care restrictions in Missouri, drive-thru baby showers, and more.
Self-Harm Risks Highest Immediately After Antidepressant Drug Prescription
A new study of more than 8.4 million electronic health records showed that right after a prescription of antidepressants is given is when patients are at highest risk of self-harm, Axios reports. Separately, research found that uncontrolled sleep apnea may be linked to future brain damage.
Drug Company Of ‘Pharma Bro’ Martin Shkreli Files For Bankruptcy
Vyera Pharmaceuticals, founded by Martin Shkreli, filed for bankruptcy Tuesday as a result of declining profits. In other pharmaceutical news, the White House has been quietly working on tackling drug shortages and quality matters since the start of 2023.
