Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: Leqembi May Not Be All It’s Cracked Up To Be; Can A State Ban Federally Approved Pills?
Editorial writers examine these public health topics.
FDA Will Ease Blood Donation Ban For Gay Men — If They’re Monogamous
Also in the news, why inventing a vaccine for HIV is more difficult than covid, pressure for FTC scrutiny over two pharma mergers, how Congress may focus on drug company “middlemen” and pricing, heavy metals in baby food, biosimilars, and more.
Ransomware Gang That Targeted Hospitals Is Shut Down By FBI
The group, called Hive, attacked hospitals, school districts, financial firms, and other organizations and is accused of extorting over $100 million to decrypt its ransomware. Efforts by the FBI, Justice Department, and European law enforcement have now shut Hive down.
Virginia Democrats Block Bills Limiting Abortion, Including 15-Week Ban
The Thursday votes saw several bills defeated — including a 15-week abortion ban that is a priority for Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican. Other news relating to abortion and maternal health comes from North Carolina, South Carolina, California, and other states.
At Least 102 Million US Covid Cases In The 3 Years Since The First
That’s 102 million reported cases — more than any other nation — CNN reports. Nearly 1.1 million Americans have died, according to Johns Hopkins University. Both figures are likely undercounts. Meanwhile, CIDRAP says global deaths are on the rise.
House Speaker Says Medicare Cuts Off The Table In Debt Ceiling Negotiations
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has assured that Medicare and Social Security will no longer be Republican targets in talks to strike a debt ceiling deal. In related news, a Republican study group eyes potential Medicare changes. And secret audits found millions in Medicare Advantage plan overpayments.
CBD Products Need More Regulation, FDA Says
The agency will formally ask Congress for help on how to regulate the industry. Also Thursday, the agency denied petitions to market CBD products as dietary supplements.
Ineffective Against Current Variants, Evusheld’s FDA Authorization Revoked
The FDA withdrew authorization Thursday for use of AstraZeneca’s antibody drug Evusheld to treat covid as new strains have evolved past the therapy’s efficacy. If those variants subside, approval could be reconsidered the FDA said.
Vaccine Advisers Vote To Update And Simplify Future Covid Vaccines
By a 21-0 vote, members of the FDA’s vaccine advisory committee recommended that U.S. covid vaccine strategy move toward a single covid shot. All manufacturers would update their formulas to match, making primary and booster shots interchangeable. The panel also supported the plan for annual vaccines, like the flu shot.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
In North Carolina, Elsewhere, GOP Lawmakers Target Trans Health Care
Reuters and AP focus on a case concerning North Carolina’s health insurance plan for state workers, challenging whether the state can exclude coverage for gender reassignment surgery and hormone therapy. The New York Times explains other legal efforts to regulate trans people’s lives.
Viewpoints: Metal Mouth Is Serious Side Effect Of Paxlovid; How Should Childhood Obesity Be Handled?
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
Study Explains Genes May Have Role In Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
In other news, autism rates have tripled among children in the New York and New Jersey metropolitan area from 2000 to 2016 according to a new study. While genetic and environmental factors play a part, better diagnosis techniques are key, NBC News explains. Also: memory storage research and more.
Juul Trying To Sell Itself To Large Tobacco Companies
While the Wall Street Journal reports that the e-cigarette maker is seeking a potential sale, investment, or partnership with Philip Morris International Inc., Japan Tobacco Group, or Altria Group Inc., the Daily Mail reports on study results that show vaping causes DNA damage.
Research Roundup: H. Pylori; Covid Vaccine; Prostate Cancer; CPR
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
US Suffering ‘Dire’ Shortage Of Infectious Disease Specialists
Fox News reports that the Infectious Diseases Society of America warns the staffing shortage is caused by “complex” reasons, including new doctors not showing a strong interest in the field. Meanwhile, in Texas, doctors successfully separated conjoined twins after an 11-hour operation.
Secret Service Traces Half Of Mass Attacks To Personal Or Work Disputes
A new Secret Service report aimed at preventing mass-violence events examined incidents from 2016 to 2020. Researchers found that three-quarters of perpetrators behaved or communicated in a way that raised concerns for others ahead the attack.
Federal Watchdog Finds Errors In NIH Tracking Of Group Studying Covid
The New York Times says an internal watchdog found “significant errors” in the National Institutes of Health’s oversight of grants to a nonprofit group researching covid. Meanwhile, the San Francisco Chronicle notes that Georgia Republican and covid conspiracy theorist Marjorie Taylor Greene will join the panel investigating the government’s handling of the pandemic.
Updated Covid Boosters Protect Effectively Against XBB.1.5 Strain: CDC
Early data published by the CDC Wednesday offers evidence that Moderna and Pfizer’s updated bivalent booster shots — tailored last summer for the omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 omicron strains that were predominant at the time — remains protective against the XBB.1.5 subvariant that is currently spreading.
Lawsuits Target States That Restrict Abortion Pill Sales, Postal Delivery
News outlets report on a set of lawsuits that hinge on the difference between federal and state legal positions on abortion pills, challenging restrictive state laws limiting access to the drugs. Conversely, a third case from a conservative group is aimed at undoing the FDA’s approval of mifepristone itself.
