Latest KFF Health News Stories
Medical Translators Are In High Demand
Modern Healthcare says that for lesser-known languages, it can be difficult to find medical interpreters. Meanwhile, the Houston Chronicle reports that Texas is experiencing a shortage of Spanish-speaking nurses and doctors now that the pandemic is tailing off.
Dutch Polio Vaccine Facility Had Lab Breach; WHO Extends Polio Emergency
A containment breach was found in a polio lab in the Netherlands, highlighting the difficulties of keeping the disease from re-establishing itself. Other news is on listeria, chronic wasting disease, RSV, and covid.
Company Recalls Eye Drops Possibly Linked To Bacterial Infections
Both the FDA and CDC are advising against use of EzriCare Artificial Tears, news outlets report. Imports have also been banned after the FDA cited multiple violations of manufacturing regulations. Separately, reports say a blood pressure medicine from Aurobindo Pharma USA is recalled.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on job loss, detox cleanses, cuddling, the Nipah virus, and more.
Mississippi Governor Slammed For Stance Against Medicaid Expansion
A physician claims that Republican Gov. Tate Reeves told him years ago that he knows expansion would help people, but that he refuses to support it “because it’s not in my personal political interest.” Reeves called the accusations “a lie.” Meanwhile, the Mississippi legislature this week shot down more than 15 bills on Medicaid expansion.
Senate Dems Urge Mifepristone Maker To Update Label To Include Miscarriage Use
A group that includes Mass. Sen. Elizabeth Warren wrote to Danco Laboratories in an effort to improve access to the pill used in medicated abortions and that is also used to help reduce complications from a miscarriage. Other abortion news is from Nebraska, Virginia, New Mexico, and elsewhere.
Sanders Previews His Priorities For Senate’s Powerful Health Committee
As they take over leadership of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Sens. Bernie Sanders and Bill Cassidy spoke to Stat about their agenda that includes drug pricing, nursing shortages, improving dental health, and other priorities.
White House Unveils 13 Cancer Moonshot Initiatives
Among the measures the Biden administration announced on the anniversary of the relaunched Cancer Moonshot: more access and support for families of kids with cancer, $10 million in federal funds to increase screenings in underserved communities, the launch of HHS’ national accelerator “CancerX,” and other programs.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
A Canadian Province Decriminalizes Hard Drugs
In what AFP calls a “radical” policy shift, British Columbia is trying to tackle an opioid overdose crisis by decriminalizing possession of small amounts of hard drugs. Europe’s lagging pharma sector, a surge of covid deaths in Japan, and more are also in the news.
Research Roundup: MS; Candida Auris; Clinical Trial Recruitment; And More
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Concussed Children Benefit From Quicker Return To School: Study
Previous guidance suggested keeping children with concussions out of school, resting in a quiet dark place. A new study suggests a different approach, and says keeping kids at home for longer delays recovery. Also in the news: breast cancer care after age 70, pain sensations from high fat diets, more.
Students In LA Permitted To Carry Overdose-Stopping Drug Narcan
The move comes, the Los Angeles Times says, amid worries over the rising danger from illicit fentanyl. Meanwhile, in Tennessee, Republican lawmakers blocked efforts from Democratic lawmakers to question the state’s health commissioner over cuts to HIV prevention and treatment funding.
NY Gov. Vetoes Bill For Emotional Damage Claims In Wrongful Deaths
The bill, which AP reports had strong bipartisan support, would have allowed wrongful death lawsuits to include emotional damage claims, potentially inflating payouts from medical error cases in the state. Other news comes from San Francisco, St. Louis, Maryland and elsewhere.
FTC Fines GoodRx Over Sharing User Health Data With Big Tech
News outlets report on the first time the Federal Trade Commission has enforced its powers over health data breaches, fining GoodRx $1.5 million for sharing health data with data brokers, Facebook, Google, and others. Meanwhile, FDA warnings to sellers of unproven mpox drugs, and more.
CMS Signals That Medicare Advantage Payments Will Decline In 2024
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services previewed Wednesday its 2024 payments and rates for Medicare Advantage. While a rate increase is proposed, insurers could see an average 2.3% cut to baseline payments, Stat reports. The agency also released planned changes to Medicare Part D and the star ratings programs.
Majority Of Gun Deaths In US Are Suicides, Not Homicides, Study Finds
Data show that 54% of gun deaths are suicides, Harvard Public Health reports. In other news, Vice President Kamala Harris calls for passage of the police reform bill while speaking at the funeral of Tyre Nichols; a D.C. Metro employee died Wednesday after trying to stop a gunman who was shooting at commuters; and more.
Republican AGs Say CVS, Walgreens’ Abortion Pill Plans Are ‘Illegal’
The Hill reports on a letter sent by 20 Republican attorneys general alleging plans by pharmacy chains to distribute abortion pills by mail are “unsafe and illegal.” NPR, meanwhile, notes that a decision on access to abortion drug mifepristone lies in the hands of a Trump-appointed Texas judge.
Study Claims Merck’s Covid Pill Is Giving Rise To New Virus Mutations
A preprint study says mutations linked to the use of Lagevrio have been identified in viral samples taken from dozens of patients, Bloomberg reported. Merck disputed that its drug — which works by creating mutations in the covid genome — was causing problematic mutations, saying that researchers drew their conclusions from “circumstantial associations.”
