Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: Medically Complex Children Deserve Better Care; Some Ideas To Fix The Doctor Shortage
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health issues.
Brain Structure Shows Who Needs Higher Doses Of Anesthesia
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Experts: Climate Change Is Leading To More Malaria Infections
Floods in Pakistan, cyclones in Mozambique, and other climate change-influenced events have driven malaria infections up, reports say, as well as changing where mosquitoes flourish. Also in the news: Ebola Sudan and Marburg virus vaccines; children left behind by a push to treat HIV, and more.
Viewpoints: Gene Editing Could End Malaria, But Should It?; We Need To Revamp Breast Cancer Testing
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
Legal Spotlight Falls On Connecticut Nursing Home Provider
Athena Health Care Systems is one of the biggest long-term care providers in Connecticut, according to the CT Mirror, but “consistent complaints” about conditions in its homes have led to lawsuits and fines. Also: children’s care in Illinois and Arizona, and stories from Texas and Minnesota.
Medicaid Expansion Gains Momentum In Wyoming
It’s the only state in the Mountain West that has not yet expanded the nation’s public health insurance program for people who have low income. Also: Doulas in Michigan criticize the state’s new Medicaid policy; Medicare advisers warn of higher drug prices; and more.
Eating Just One Serving Of Fish Could Endanger Your Health, Study Suggests
The Hill reports that this study is the first to connect U.S. fish consumption to blood levels of “forever chemicals.” Also: alcohol-related liver disease, PTSD treatments, zombie fungus, and more.
Hospitals Strained By Endocarditis Cases Caused By Opioid Abuse
Stat reports that “rapidly accelerating” cases of endocarditis have happened since the pandemic began, reminding us it’s one of the lesser-known side effects of the opioid epidemic. “Tranq” found in San Diego, high fatal overdose rates in Rhode Island, and more are also in the news.
Study: Blood Test Helps Target Which Colon Cancer Patients Need Chemo
Media outlets report on how a system to detect tumor DNA in post-surgery colon cancer patients can help decide who would benefit from chemotherapy. In other news, the shortage of prescription ADHD medications is ongoing, and the implications of the FDA’s lifted rule on animal testing for drugs.
‘Shkreli Awards’ List ‘Profiteering’ Health Care Outlets
The awards are named after former pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli. Meanwhile, preventable medication-related harm, injuries, or infections hit 22.7% of hospital patients in the U.S. according to a new study. In other news, health care outlets have shown they plan to hike prices this year.
Florida Alerts Pharmacies That Dispensing Abortion Pills Is Illegal
The state’s Agency for Healthcare Administration sent a letter to health care providers reminding them despite the FDA’s move to broaden abortion pill access to pharmacies, Florida state law bans it. In Idaho Sen. Scott Herndon, a Republican, wants to tighten that state’s already-strict abortion ban.
Key Player In Covid Vaccine Rollout Leaving Biden Administration
The departure of Dr. David Kessler, the covid chief science officer, marks the unofficial end of Operation Warp Speed, the federal government’s unprecedented response to the pandemic.
CDC Reviewing Safety Of Pfizer Bivalent Booster For Seniors; Still Recommends Shot
The CDC said Friday that its Vaccine Safety Datalink surveillance system detected a preliminary safety signal for stroke in people ages 65 and older, which led to the investigation. None of the agency’s other monitoring programs have identified any concerns, which leads the CDC to say that it’s “very unlikely.” No other covid vaccines have been flagged.
Maternal Death Risks Increase With Covid Infection During Pregnancy: Study
New research identifies other dangers that covid can cause for patients who are pregnant, including a greater risk of being admitted to an intensive care unit and developing pneumonia. The chances of preterm birth and other severe outcomes are also higher for newborns.
Airplane Wastewater Screening Among Tools Used To Keep Up With Variants
Efforts to scan for potential new covid variants include bio surveillance for international passengers at U.S. airports — including airplane bathroom waste. Meanwhile, CIDRAP covers a relevant statistic: nearly 1 in 4 screened air passengers from China were covid positive.
To Combat Suicides, All Veterans Can Now Get Free Emergency Care
The Department of Veterans Affairs announced that U.S. military veterans who are in “acute suicidal crisis” are eligible for free emergency mental health services at a VA facility or through private practice starting today. It’s estimated that 18 million people are covered by the new policy and they do not have to be enrolled in the VA system.
ACA Enrollment Breaks Record At Nearly 16 Million
Just before enrollment on the healthcare.gov exchange closed nearly 16 million had signed up. Final numbers are expected soon, and some state exchanges like in California and New York are still open.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Calif. Lawsuit Targets Drugmakers Over Inflated Insulin Prices
“We’re going to level the playing field and make this life-saving drug more affordable for all who need it, by putting an end to Big Pharma’s big profit scheme,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said at a news conference Thursday. In other news from around the country: psychiatric beds in New Hampshire, a false covid positive for Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, and more.
Viewpoints: Steps We All Can Take To Protect The Immunocompromised; Ideas To Fix The ER Crisis
Editorial writers examine these public health issues.
