Latest KFF Health News Stories
Supreme Court Could Rule Today On Whether To Allow Abortion Pill Limits
Justices will decide whether to let stand an earlier decision from the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals that restricted the use of mifepristone. Legal experts are pointing out the irony of today’s ruling: Justices demanded last year that states decide abortion issues for themselves, yet now the high court is exerting control again.
HHS Making Plans To Get Uninsured Free Covid Vaccines, Treatments, And Tests
The Biden administration is expected to release the initiative this week, Politico reports, to keep tools for combatting covid free through 2024 for those who are uninsured. Other pandemic news covers vaccine mandates and new virus research.
FDA Approves Second Updated Covid Booster For Some At High Risk
Among its efforts to simplify covid vaccine guidance, the FDA backed an additional dose of the bivalent covid shot for people 65 and over or those who are immunocompromised. The boosters could be administered as soon as the CDC clears the change.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: It’s Time To Stop Body Shaming Our Kids; How Well Is Digital Mental Health Care Working?
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
Fungal Outbreak At Michigan Paper Mill Has Killed One Person
Nearly 100 people have likely been infected in a blastomycosis outbreak at the Escanaba Billerud Paper Mill, NBC News reports, and now one person has died. In other news, Juul and Altria have settled with Minnesota over teen vaping addiction claims; a homeless program has expanded in L.A.; and more.
Spotlight On Anti-Trans Legislation As Bills Pass At Record Rate
Media outlets cover what North Carolina Health News calls a “record year” for anti-trans legislation across the country. Other reports explain how patients are scrambling to secure gender-affirming care in Missouri before restrictions come into effect April 27.
Overdose Death Rates Among Older Americans Have Soared
Overdose fatalities among those ages 65 and older have quadrupled in the past 20 years, the Washington Post explains. Separately, a global rise in Type 2 diabetes is being driven by refined carbohydrates and meat products, CNN reports.
Study: 34% Of Top US Clinical Research Funders Have Transparency Issues
Stat mentions that clinical trial transparency is in the spotlight, even as a new analysis found only 37% of the 14 largest public, philanthropic entities that fund trials in the U.S. adhere to WHO best practices on transparency. An MS drug patent, ADHD drug shortages, and more are also in the news.
Hospitals Suffer Shortages As Medical Device Supply Chain Falters
California-based Scripps Health, Modern Healthcare explains, has about eight times more medical devices and supplies on backorder than it had in 2019. Meanwhile, Clover Health is cutting 10% of staff during a restructuring, CVS Health chooses a new president for Aetna, and more.
Mifepristone Maker Pays To Settle Mislabeling Lawsuit
Danco Laboratories will pay $765,000 to settle claims it violated customs laws due to a labeling issue on imports from 2011 to 2019. Meanwhile, in Nevada, the Senate advanced a resolution to allow voters to decide on a state constitutional amendment guaranteeing abortion rights.
Chinese Lab Had Biosafety Problems In November 2019, Senate Report Says
A new report from Senate Republicans on the origins of covid-19 suggests the pandemic appeared to come from a lab accident, said several news media outlets who read the report. The Wall Street Journal says the report draws on open source reporting, including medical studies, scientific journals, and numerous Chinese government documents.
CMS Rolls Out New Requirements For ACA Insurance Providers
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced a final rule Monday impacting insurers that participate in the Affordable Care Act marketplaces. Among the changes are requiring mental health care providers on plans, fee decreases, and allowing state exchanges to open a special enrollment period for people who lose Medicaid or CHIP benefits.
McCarthy’s Debt Limit Demands Tied To SNAP, Medicaid Work Requirements
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s proposal for a one-year increase in the debt ceiling comes with conditions that would impact health programs and policies. In the potential mix are work requirements for Medicaid and SNAP recipients as well as rescinding covid relief funds that states have not yet spent.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Will AI Help Or Hinder Doctors And Health Care?; We Can Learn From Mpox Management
Editorial writers tackle these public health issues.
St. Louis County Tries An AI Solution To Lower 911 Wait Times
The St. Louis County Police Department is trying to reduce wait times for 911 callers by using artificial intelligence technology to recognize non-emergency calls and divert them. Meanwhile, in Missouri, the attorney general is being sued over his “burdensome” requests for hospital records of transgender care.
Survey Shows 800,000 Nurses Plan To Quit By 2027
The survey also reports that about 100,000 registered nurses were thought to have left the field during the pandemic and ties the new departures to burnout and exhaustion. Separately, health insurers are pushing back on health data sharing transparency plans.
Pharmacists Allowed To Give Covid, Flu Shots After Covid Emergency Ends
The Department of Health and Human Services gave a heads-up Friday that it is planning to keep pharmacists’ shot-administering powers even after the official end of the covid emergency in May. And The Washington Post reminds us covid is still a leading cause of death in the U.S.
Black People Live Longer In Counties With More Black Doctors: Study
A new national analysis reported by Stat shows Black people in those counties had lower mortality from all causes, regardless of whether they actually saw those doctors. A separate study found that during pregnancies, Black people tend to be tested more frequently for drugs.
