Latest KFF Health News Stories
First-Of-Its-Kind Study Finds ‘Mild’ Autism Diagnoses Outpacing ‘Profound’ Cases
The new study, released Wednesday and reported by AP, examines for the first time how many American children are being diagnosed with relatively mild autism symptoms versus more serious ones. Other news is on strep, RSV, strokes, and bike crash injuries.
Doctors, Researchers Push Back Against FDA’s Opioid Effectiveness Study
The Food and Drug Administration plans to investigate whether opioids are effective as long-term treatments for chronic pain, but Stat notes that some argue the study could be biased in favor of opioids’ efficacy. Meanwhile the nation’s first state-regulated overdose prevention center will open in 2024.
House Republicans Take Aim At Trans Sports Rights; Bill Will Die In Senate
NBC News reports that the House is “expected” to pass legislation that would bar transgender women and girls from competing on female school athletics teams, but it will “go nowhere in the Democratic-controlled Senate” and President Joe Biden would be expected to veto the legislation.
AMA Warns Medical Malpractice Premiums Are Surging In Some States
Modern Healthcare notes the American Medical Association went as far as warning that increased premiums threaten access to health care in areas seeing the biggest rises. In other news, Elevance Health reports higher profits, Amazon partners with 3M for health AI solutions, and more.
Another Covid Side Effect: Confidence In Childhood Vaccines Declined
Reuters reports on a new study out from UNICEF that found that globally, people lost faith in routine childhood vaccines during the pandemic. In other covid and vaccine news: a new booster, vaccine messaging, long covid, and more.
Veterans Affairs Department Launching Five-Year Study Of Gulf War Syndrome
Veterans of operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in the early 1990s have been plagued by joint pain, fatigue, rashes, memory issues, and digestive problems. Other military news is on mental health care, moldy Army barracks, medical training for the battlefield, and more.
GOP Debt Limit Bill Targets Health Care Programs
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy unveiled a bill that would raise raise the debt limit into next year in exchange for deep federal spending cuts and policy changes. Health care programs included in the mix include Medicaid, SNAP, and covid relief funds. President Joe Biden says the proposal is a nonstarter.
Cancer Center Director To Be Nominated For Top Job At NIH
The White House is expected to tap Monica Bertagnolli, a cancer surgeon who is the current chief of the National Cancer Institute, to be chief at the National Institutes of Health.
Republican Bid To Reverse VA Abortion Rule Narrowly Fails In Senate
In a 51-48 vote Wednesday, senators rejected a Republican-backed resolution to repeal a Department of Veterans Affairs policy that has expanded some abortion services for veterans. The Hill also reports on how abortion politics more broadly are roiling Congress and statehouses.
Supreme Court Punts On Abortion Pill Decision Until Friday
Full FDA-approved access to mifepristone remains in place for now after the Supreme Court justices on Wednesday delayed issuing a decision on whether to allow new restrictions on the drug that is used for medication abortions and to manage miscarriages. Still, patients face confusion navigating the legal limbo.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Perspectives: Mifepristone Is Life Saving; Making Naloxone OTC Will Make It More Impactful
Read recent commentaries about pharmaceutical and drug-cost issues.
Editorial writers discuss these public health topics.
New Combination Drugs Prove Successful Against Severe Covid; FDA Approves Quilipta For Migraines
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments from the past week.
MedPAC Recommends Congress Lower Payments For Post-Acute Care
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission’s recommendation applies to all post-acute care settings except long-term care hospitals and also asks Congress to look at adopting smaller site-neutral policies. News outlets cover AI in health care, a “smart” hospital’s 5G network, and more.
Texas Leads US In Dementia Mortalities
A report in the Houston Chronicle covers data from the Seniorly Resource Center which shows Texas has the greatest dementia burden score in the country, highlighting a lack of support given to patients’ loved ones. Also: “tranq,” magic mushrooms, gender-affirming care bans, and more.
Study Finds Up To 1 In 4 Students Misusing ADHD Drugs
Taking ADHD drugs without prescriptions or for non-medical reasons may be becoming a widespread situation among middle and high school students, NBC News reports. Meanwhile, a different report shows about 1 in 4 Americans may be living with air pollution that can harm their health.
Eisai-Biogen Alzheimer’s Drug Shows No Net Health Benefit: Study
A new report says lecanemab, a new Alzheimer’s drug from Eisai and Biogen, doesn’t show a net health benefit over current drugs, and at its current price isn’t long-term value for the money. Meanwhile, Mark Cuban’s drug company, aimed at lowering prices, is setting up its own pharmacy network.
Biden Signs Executive Order To Boost Long-Term Care, Child Care
Reuters notes President Joe Biden is facing congressional “resistance” to his care economy proposals. The new executive order aims to advance free preschool and expand affordable care for children, older Americans, and those with disabilities. It also tackles working conditions for care workers.
Number Of Applicants For OB-GYN Residencies Falls 5.2%
The drop in applicants more than doubled in 13 states with abortion bans, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. Because many doctors practice medicine where they complete their residency, health experts say they are worried about the future of reproductive care in restrictive states.
