Latest KFF Health News Stories
What’s Next For Medicare’s ‘Hospital Care At Home’ Program?
The New York Times takes a look at the program, which is popular among participants but had stalled because Medicare wouldn’t pay for it. The program found new life in 2020 because of reimbursement waivers tied to the pandemic public health emergency.
New Diabetes Drug To Cost $13,850 Per Vial, More Than Some Estimates
The drug teplizumab was approved by the FDA on Thursday for use on patients with stage 2 Type 1 diabetes to delay the disease, but maker Provention Bio has priced it at a level above some analysts’ expectations. Treatments for osteoarthritis and more are also in the news.
Kaiser Permanente, Nurses Reach Agreement To Avert Strike
A tentative agreement centered on a new four-year contract with provisions for 22.5% pay raises and more staffing, averting a strike that Fierce Healthcare says would have been the largest private sector nursing strike in U.S. history. Also: UnitedHealthcare and AARP, Wisconsin school nurses and more.
Study Finds 1 In 4 Female Monkeypox Cases Not Linked To Sex
CIDRAP reports on what it says is the first global case study of monkeypox in female patients, which shows that as much as 25% of infections aren’t related to sexual activity. The CDC also sent a warning to providers over resistance to the Tpoxx treatment.
Pfizer’s Omicron Booster Better Against New Subvariants
News outlets cover data from Pfizer that show that its omicron-specific booster is better at tackling emerging covid subvariants than older shots are. Separately, the company’s CEO Albert Bourla maintained that covid shots will remain “free” in the U.S. despite indirect costs.
Unwelcome Guest For Turkey Day: Flu Hits High Levels In 30 States
Meanwhile, as RSV makes the rounds, health experts warn it’s possible to get repeat infections, although a second infection is unlikely to occur immediately after a recent episode, Fox News reported.
Lawmakers Criticize VA’s Electronic Health Records System After 2 Deaths
In a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Reps. Mike Bost, R-Ill., Mike Carey, R-Ohio, and Troy Balderson, R-Ohio, wrote that they had “grave concerns” about the rollout of Oracle Cerner EHR.
Lawsuit Challenges FDA Approval Of Abortion Medication
The Alliance for Defending Freedom, which was involved with the landmark Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case, has asked a federal judge in Texas to overturn FDA approval of abortion medications up to the 10th week of pregnancy.
Senators Looking Into Allegation Of 2014 Supreme Court Leak
According to a New York Times story, an anti-abortion minister told Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts that he received advanced notice of a 2014 case related to contraception and religious rights. The news comes as part of the investigation into last spring’s bombshell leak of the Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade. Justice Samuel Alito denies that he or his wife were involved in the alleged older leak.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Health Insurance Should Cover IVF; Massachusetts Is Ideal Location For ARPA-H
Editorial writers tackle IVF, ARPA-H, covid and more.
Abortion Ban Exemptions Don’t Include Mental Crises In Some States
AP draws attention to what mental health advocates reportedly call a “cruel quirk” in some state abortion bans: Some medical exemptions exist where psychiatric ones don’t. Meanwhile, a Texas bill would allow a fetus to count as a second passenger for HOV lanes.
Oklahoma Seeks To Set Temperature Standards For Shipped Medications
Oklahoma announced proposed regulations to improve safety conditions for mailed medications, many of which can be impacted by heat. Health news from other states relates to a measles outbreak, medical marijuana, hunger, and more.
Cancer Screenings Haven’t Rebounded To Pre-Covid Levels
Data shows that screenings for a number of common cancers have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, with potential long-term health implications. Teen vaping habits, oral diseases, a ground beef recall, and the fentanyl crisis are also in the news.
Justice Dept. Probes Mental Health Care In Oklahoma Over Discrimination
The investigation will look at whether Oklahoma, Oklahoma City and the city’s police department have discriminatory practices when it comes to people with behavioral mental health disabilities. Separately, data show “thousands” of Florida students were involuntarily committed last year.
Theranos Ex-CEO Sentenced To More Than 11 Years In Prison
Elizabeth Holmes was sentenced Friday to 135 months, or 11.25 years, in prison for defrauding investors of failed blood-testing firm Theranos. Meanwhile, Reuters reports on plans to make pharma firms disclose their pricing and agreed deals in future global health emergencies.
WHO Negotiates Plans For Beating The Next Pandemic
The World Health Organization’s agreement has a target date of May 2024, and would be legally binding by its 194 member countries. Also: virtual reality solutions for real-world health care problems; the Sanford Health-Fairview Health proposed merger; and more.
No Link Found Between Shingles And Covid Vaccine In Larger Study
The findings of a trial involving more than 2 million people in the U.S. disputed smaller studies that reported a possible connection. Separately, more research is urged on the covid vaccine’s impact on menstrual cycles.
As Covid Rises, LA County Again Advises Indoor Masking
The Los Angeles Times reports that the daily number of new covid cases has risen almost 70% versus a month ago. The San Francisco Chronicle says that across the whole state, cases are up 36% over two weeks ago.
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 the 1918 flu pandemic, abortion, safe sex, the racial health gap, digging holes to relieve stress, and more.
