Latest KFF Health News Stories
FDA Speeds Up Review Of Pfizer’s RSV Vaccine For Older Adults
But don’t get your hopes up for any help this winter: The review period likely won’t end until May. Meanwhile, as the “tripledemic” of RSV, flu, and covid wreaks havoc on hospitals nationwide, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky told Roll Call that the agency is running out of ways to be creative with its limited pandemic funds.
White House Dashboard: Over 180,000 Nonfatal Opioid Overdoses In A Year
News outlets report on a new opioid data system debuted by the White House today. The first-of-its-kind dashboard also shows emergency services took 9.8 minutes on average to reach an overdose patient. Separately, a study shows opioid misusers with disabilities are more likely to attempt suicide.
It’s A ‘Mistake’ To Repeal Covid Vax Mandate For Military, White House Says
Administration officials did not indicate whether President Joe Biden would veto legislation that would roll back the covid vaccine mandate.
ACA Enrollment On Pace For Record Year With 5.5 Million Sign-Ups So Far
CMS says that enrollments for 2023 plans through healthcare.gov are up 18% over this time last year. Of those who have so far registered, 1.2 million are new consumers to the marketplace.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Viewpoints: Let’s Leave Ancient Frozen Viruses Alone; Are We Prepared For The Newest Covid Wave?
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health topics.
Juul Agrees To Settle Thousands Of Vaping Lawsuits
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Drug Deaths In Pregnancy And Among New Mothers Soared During Covid
A study shows the numbers hit a record high in 2020. Meanwhile, News 4 Jax reports that doctors are finding it increasingly hard to reverse the effects of a fentanyl overdose due to the evolution of new, more powerful strands of the drug.
Maine Warns Funding Shortfall Could Cripple Its Emergency Medical System
A legislative commission has recommended that the state set aside an extra $70 million annually for five years to cover the shortfall. Also: free lunch plans for all K-12 students in New Mexico, a plea for more adult changing tables in Ohio, and more.
8 Travelers Who Returned To US Have Cholera, CDC Finds
The travelers had come back from areas known to be affected by cholera, in what CIDRAP reports as an “unprecedented” increase in the disease. Separately, some James Farm frozen raspberries were recalled in a potential hepatitis A contamination; weighted blankets may boost melatonin; and more.
Unexpected Pandemic Effect: A Drop In Twin Births
CDC data shows a decline in U.S. twin births of 2% per year from 2014 to 2019. During the pandemic, between 2019 and 2020, the numbers fell 7%. Pandemic-era impacts on fertility treatments are blamed. Other reproductive health news is from Alabama, Ohio, and elsewhere.
To Beat Health Care Inequity And Bias, AMA And IHI Form Coalition
The goal of the coalition between the American Medical Association and Institute for Healthcare Improvement is to develop a cohesive approach to more equitable patient care. A new cancer center from the University of Colorado, at-home fertility care in Boston, and more are also in industry news.
Number Of Doctors Entering Infectious Disease Fellowships Falls
Stat reports that there has long been a concern over the number of doctors entering infectious disease fellowships but that this year’s figures show a dramatic “backslide.” Relatively low wages are one big disincentive. The nursing shortage is also in the news, with foundations and major donors moving to fix the problem.
Covid Vaccine Offers Protection Against Long Covid, Studies Suggest
The Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota reported on an analysis showing that one or more dose of the covid vaccine is 29% effective against long covid. The vaccine appeared to be more effective against long covid when given before a covid infection.
Pfizer Teams Up With Clear Creek Bio To Develop New Covid Antiviral Pills
While Pfizer already has the best known covid treatment in Paxlovid, it next aspires to develop a new class of oral drugs that inhibit a protein the coronavirus requires to replicate, The Boston Globe reports.
CMS Eyes Mandating Electronic Prior Authorization Systems By 2026
The proposed rule calls for Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and some other health insurance exchanges to update prior authorization processes. Among the potential mandates are for payers to respond to “urgent” requests within 72 hours, justify denials, and report decisions.
Anti-Overdose Naloxone Could Soon Be OTC As FDA Fast-Tracks Review
An over-the-counter version of Emergent BioSolution’s overdose reversal nasal spray could be on sale as early as March. Separately, AP reports that the FDA’s speedy approval processes have been slowed by scrutiny.
Major Overhaul Of FDA Recommended In Critical Report Of Agency’s Food Unit
A lack of leadership and a slow, risk-averse culture have resulted in “constant turmoil” at the Food and Drug Administration, according to an outside group of experts asked to review the agency’s food unit in the wake of the infant formula shortages. An organizational restructuring and potential breakup were recommended.
Democrats To Allow Rollback Of Military Covid Vaccine Mandate
In order to push through the National Defense Authorization Act, House Democrats compromised on the contentious covid vaccine requirement for troops, which would be repealed if the legislation passes.
