Latest KFF Health News Stories
Perspectives: Opioid Crisis Is Hurting Chronic Pain Patients
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Startup Insurers’ Future Cast In Doubt Through A Poor 2022
Modern Healthcare reports on insurtech companies’ “failure to thrive” at a time when most health insurers are making record money. Separately, a report notes risks to patient data from cyberattacks. The Amazon-One Medical deal, LCMC Health, HCA Healthcare and more are also in the news.
Scientists: Social Media Habits Are Actually Changing Teens’ Brains
A study reported on by the New York Times is said to be among the first to try to correlate changes in brain function with years of social media use. Findings show social media checking leads to different sensitivities to social rewards among teens. Also: antibiotic resistance, covid research and more.
The Pandemic Is Still Hitting College Students’ Mental Health: Study
The study in France included nearly 45,000 college students and found high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression 15 months after the pandemic began. Meanwhile, the FDA has added sesame to the major food allergens list, among other news.
Senators Say Patients ‘Lured’ By Medical Credit Card Promotions
In a letter to banks that issue such cards, senators called out potentially deceptive marketing that can lead consumers into financial trouble. Other congressional news focuses on Medicare benefits and possible fallout from a 2018 law related to opioid treatment.
Viewpoints: Work Weight Loss Challenges Have Opposite Effect; US Pediatric Health Care In Trouble
Editorial writers delve into these public health topics.
Covid Vaccine Misinfo Spread Online After NFL Player’s Collapse
News outlets cover “irresponsible” and “baseless” rumors circulating after the collapse of Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills, speculatively linking the event to Hamlin’s covid shot status. Other reports cover a possible cause: commotio cordis, a cardiac condition caused by a chest impact.
New Year, Same Viruses: Post-Holiday ‘Tridemic’ Uptick Monitored
State officials and hospital systems in New York and California are on alert for a surge in covid, RSV, and flu cases after the holiday season. Public health experts urge the federal government to take greater mitigation steps now.
National Abortion Ban On List Of Advocacy Groups’ House Demands
Religious and anti-abortion advocacy groups are pushing Republicans to use their new House majority to pass reproductive measures like a national abortion ban at 6 weeks, stop telemedicine access to abortion pills, and defund Planned Parenthood — even though none of those bills would pass in Senate or be signed by President Joe Biden.
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
FDA Allows Abortion Pill Prescription To Be Filled At Retail Pharmacies
The Food and Drug Administration made a regulatory change Tuesday that opens the door for retail pharmacies to dispense mifepristone. The pill could previously only be offered by clinics, doctors or mail-order pharmacies. The move could increase access to a medicated abortion, though state laws in 12 states would ban sales.
First Edition: January 4, 2023
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Strep Vaccine Sorely Needed; Measuring Heart Rate Variability At Home Now Easily Done
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health issues.
Federal Team Helping During Surge At New Mexico Children’s Hospital
AP reports that the University of New Mexico Children’s Hospital has been “overwhelmed” with patients, during a surge in RSV, covid and flu. Also: the closure of a covid vaccination site at the Mall of America, concerns over a D.C. Council member’s health, the Ohio measles outbreak and more.
Partial Solution Reached In NYC Nurse Contract Talks; Strike Still Looms
The AP says that even though some nurses at one hospital reached a “tentative” agreement hours before their contract was due to expire, a possible strike by around 4,000 nurses is still a threat. Separately, GE will spin off its health unit, Gilead buys rights to a cancer therapy, and more.
Financing Quickly Gaining Ground In World Of Pricey Health Care
Stat reports that buy now-pay later platforms like Afterpay and Affirm are quickly exploring ways to offer loans to patients for health services. Other news on expected 2023 trends include Americans’ shifting political priorities, hospital changes, and insurance coverage.
Hemophilia B Treatment Has Late-Stage Study Success
Pfizer says its experimental gene therapy treatment for hemophilia B met its main goal in a study — with a single dose outperforming current care standards. Other research covers women’s higher levels of empathy, covid vaccines, hydration’s link to lower disease risk, and more.
Young Kids Eating Cannabis Edibles By Accident Rose Sharply Over 5 Years
A new study published Tuesday in the journal Pediatrics points to a 1,375% increase in calls to poison control centers from 2017 to 2021. In other public health news: an alfalfa sprout recall, ketamine and the health of Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills.
Industry Expects Changes With Sanders At Helm Of Senate Health Panel
Among the new term’s looming congressional changes that will shape health policy is Sen. Bernie Sanders’ leadership of the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. Drug pricing is also expected to be a key 2023 issue.
Covid Will Hit Harder This Winter Than It Did Last Summer
The threat of covid is far from over, as Stat reports the number of people hospitalized with covid in the U.S. is about to top the number seen in 2022’s summer spike, even as flu and RSV are reportedly declining. But the spotlight is now on new covid variant XBB.1.5, already spreading fast.
