Latest KFF Health News Stories
FDA Approves First Pill-Based Fecal Transplant Treatment
The treatment from Seres Therapeutics is said to provide a simpler version of stool-based transplant procedures that some specialists have been performing. Meanwhile, a penicillin G benzathine shortage is hitting the U.S. as syphilis and strep cases rise — it joins other drugs in short supply.
Kaiser Permanente Acquiring Geisinger To Create New Not-For-Profit System
Stat says the new entity will be a new “national health system” that encompasses health insurance, hospitals, and medical groups. (Note: KFF Health News is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.) Other news includes CMS moves on hospital price transparency, insurance CEOs’ pay, and more.
Missouri Gender Care Restrictions Temporarily Suspended By Judge
Circuit Judge Ellen Ribaudo stayed restrictions on transgender minors and adults accessing gender-affirming care issued by Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey. St. Louis Public Radio reports that trans Missourians are “terrified” by the sweeping restrictions.
Senate Judiciary Committee Looks Into ‘Chaos’ After Roe Overturn
Roll Call reports the Senate Judiciary Committee dove into the “partisan divide on abortion policy.” One witness, who is suing Texas after being denied an emergency abortion, criticized Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, who both sit on the committee but weren’t at the hearing.
Old TB Vaccine Doesn’t Work On Covid, But It May Have Other Benefits
The tuberculosis vaccine, known as B.C.G., was being tested on health care workers in 2020. But the rapid development of mRNA covid vaccines made it impossible to complete the trial because health care workers were first in line to get the newly available mRNA shots, The New York Times says.
House Passes Debt-Limit Bill That Adds Rules For Medicaid, SNAP Recipients
The GOP-sponsored plan, which eked by on a vote of 217-215 with four Republicans voting against it, requires low-income Americans who receive federal benefits to work longer hours or risk losing benefits entirely. The plan has no chance of passing the Democratic-led Senate.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Perspectives: Why Are People Abusing Horse Med Xylazine?; Mifepristone Is Still Legal … For Now
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Viewpoints: How The US Botched The Covid Response; One Judge Should Not Hold Abortion Hostage
Editorial writers discuss covid, mifepristone , clinical trials and more.
FDA Greenlights Biogen’s Treatment For Rare Form Of ALS
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KFF Health News Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Anti-Trans Law Controversy Deepens In Montana House
News outlets report on a political storm in Montana that began after the only transgender lawmaker protested an anti-trans law: State Rep. Zooey Zephyr has been silenced by GOP lawmakers in the House since then, causing public protests that led to a cancellation of a House session Tuesday.
Blue Cross Restructure Plan Upsets North Carolina Regulator
State Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey complained about the bill passed by the House Health Committee because it could allow nonprofit Blue Cross to transfer billions to a holding company instead of returning some of the surplus to policyholders. “This is the people’s money,” he argued.
Concerns Over Melatonin Gummy Safety Amid Rising Child Poisonings
USA Today notes that a sixfold rise in poisonings from melatonin supplements among U.S. children over a decade are driving concerns over the unregulated sleep aid. Separately, a crackdown against salmonella in breaded raw chicken, anxiety risks linked to fried food, and more are also in the news.
Physicians Continue To Dismiss Symptoms Of Those With Long Covid
The Conversation reports on cases of “medical gaslighting” experienced by people suffering long covid, even though new research on the condition is readily available. Axios remarks that the FDA is asking for data from patients who’ve turned to unproven remedies for the illness.
Nursing Shortage May Get Worse With Visa Slots Running Out
The State Department recently announced that most green card allocations for foreign nurses have been filled, and that only people who applied before June 2022 will be considered for the remaining slots — even if the applicant has a job offer in the U.S. Health groups worry this will exacerbate the already stretched corps of nurses in this country.
Assault Weapons Ban Signed Into State Law In Washington
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, a Democrat, signed a trio of gun reform measures into law Tuesday, including one that outlaws assault-style firearms like AR-15s and AK-47s. The restrictions are already being contested in court.
Sanders And Cassidy Agree On Targeting PBMs In Drug Costs Bill
News outlets report on political progress made during bipartisan efforts to boost access to generic drugs, with a goal of increasing transparency demands on PBMs. Separately, a Medicare official has insisted drug price negotiations will include how important a drug is to patients.
How Many Would Go Uninsured Under House Debt Limit Plan?
Two estimates vastly differ. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office’s review of the House bill projects that about 600,000 would lose coverage with its proposed Medicaid work requirements. A Biden administration analysis says that 21 million people are at risk.
‘Secret Shopper’ Study Reveals Hospitals’ Confusion Over Abortion Laws
Oklahoma has two abortion laws on the books that allow for, but don’t define, an abortion in a medical emergency. When researchers called 34 hospitals in the state to inquire about their practices, they found that none could articulate a clear policy.
Tuberville Holds Up 184 More Military Promotions In Abortion Policy Protest
Sen. Tommy Tuberville, a Republican from Alabama, says he will block Defense Department personnel moves that must be authorized by the Senate until the Pentagon halts its new abortion policy.
