Latest KFF Health News Stories
Affordable Health Care To Become Constitutional Right In Oregon
Although voters narrowly approved the ballot measure, the Oregon Capital Chronicle notes there’s no prescription as to how to act on it. A settlement for a covid outbreak in a veterans home, LGBTQ+ discrimination, and more are also in the news.
Lung Risks From Smoking Marijuana May Be Worse Than Cigarettes: Study
Media outlets report on a study that found smoking pot to be associated with potentially worse lung damage than tobacco-only cigarettes. Meanwhile, in Kentucky, the governor signed an executive order to partly legalize medical marijuana.
A Billion Young People Are At Risk Of Hearing Loss, Study Finds
A new study published in BMJ Journal places the blame on exposure to loud sounds from devices and music venues. Separately, The New York Times reports on rising frustration over Philips’ response to CPAP device recalls. Also: mental illness diagnosis on TikTok, the power of pets, and more.
Staff Shortages Lead To Difficulties In Discharging Patients
Axios says the issue of delayed discharges for patients in post-acute care is prompting calls for per diem Medicare payouts to cover extended costs. Also: children’s hospitals’ doctors are rallying over working conditions as the RSV surge stresses the system, the Washington Post reports.
FDA Authorizes Roche Monkeypox Test; RSV Is Hitting Adults, Too
The test detects DNA from the monkeypox virus in swabs from people suspected of viral infection. In other news, CNN reports that RSV hospitalization rates are 10 times higher for seniors than usual — though still lower than for children. A measles outbreak is also spreading in Ohio.
White House Asks For $10B More To Battle Covid
The money is sought by the end of the year to go to new vaccines and treatments. But on Tuesday Senate lawmakers voted to end the federal covid emergency declaration. NBC News’ data analysis finds covid hospitalizations and deaths are falling in the U.S.
‘Amazon Clinic’ Will Offer Virtual Care For About 20 Non-Urgent Conditions
The new service will offer help for conditions such as UTIs and erectile dysfunction and creates another rival for online companies Ro and Hims. However, Amazon’s massive existing customer base could immediately set it apart.
Senate Report: ICE Forced Women Into ‘Unnecessary’ Gynecological Exams
The findings were the result of an 18-month, bipartisan investigation into complaints of invasive procedures from women being held at a detention center in Georgia. Democratic Ga. Sen. Jon Ossoff called it “one of the most outrageous things this subcommittee has investigated over the past two years.”
Preterm Births In US Climb To 10.5%, Annual Report Card Finds
The March of Dimes’ latest report card gives the U.S. an overall D+ grade for its rate of preterm births, which can lead to infant death and have negative long-term effects on child development.
Judge Strikes Down Georgia’s Stricter Abortion Law
The judicial order to cease enforcement of Georgia’s 6-week abortion ban takes immediate effect. The state’s attorney general office is appealing the decision.
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
RSV Pressures On Michigan Hospitals Lead To Calls For Bailout Aid
Crain’s Detroit Business reports on the pressures that Michigan Health and Hospital Association is under, including financial ones and the rising burden of kids with RSV. Meanwhile, in California a child aged under five has died of a combined flu and RSV infection.
Walmart Agrees To Pay $3.1 Billion To Settle Opioid Lawsuits
The retail giant reiterated that it “strongly disputes” allegations that its pharmacies improperly filled prescriptions for the painkillers and did not admit liability with the settlement plan. Other pharmaceutical news is on drug imports from Canada, a new treatment for advanced ovarian cancer, how a fake tweet sparked a panic at Eli Lilly, and more.
Electronic Messages To Cleveland Clinic Providers Could Prompt $50 Bills
Patients’ insurance companies might soon be billed for messages that take five minutes or more to answer. Separately, staffing shortage news is from Indiana and Texas.
Covid Is Sending More Infants Under 6 Months Old To Hospital
The situation prompted CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky to urge mothers to get vaccinated in order to protect youngsters not yet eligible for shots. Separately, a study shows rapid home tests aren’t very sensitive to omicron covid.
Study: Moderna’s Bivalent Shot Offers Strong Protection Against Variants
The findings did not clarify whether the updated shot offers better protection than its original jab. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden repeated his vow Monday that Americans will need to get only one covid booster shot each year.
Democrats Likely Won’t Have Enough Votes To Codify Abortion, Biden Admits
The Democratic Party doesn’t appear to have gained enough ground in the House of Representatives to ensure passage of a national right to abortion, the president said Monday.
CDC, Army Remove From Apps Russian Code Cloaked As American
Reuters found that tech company Pushwoosh is Russian, though it presents itself as based in the U.S. Its computer code is used in thousands of apps, including 7 by the CDC. The health agency says that code has been removed over the security concerns.
Longer Lifespans Drive Global Population To 8 Billion
Over the last 12 years, the tally jumped from 7 billion to 8 billion, the United Nations announced. This “milestone in human development” is attributed to improved access to health care, food, and more sanitary living conditions, though dropping birth rates are expected to slow the future pace.
