Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
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 “damp” January, new health tech for 2023, antibody drugs, and more.
Pushback Undoes Cutbacks In California’s Medi-Cal Insurance Plans
The California Department of Health Care Services announced it has now negotiated with five commercial health plans for 2024 Medi-Cal services, undoing a process that had cut the number to three. Also: Medicaid expansion, flavored tobacco in Ohio, marijuana use in Maryland, transgender health laws and more.
Thousands Of NYC Nurses May Strike Next Week
Though some progress has been made toward averting a large Jan. 9 strike of nursing staff at several New York City hospitals, negotiations are still underway. Separately, Modern Healthcare covers how the FTC’s proposed noncompete hiring clause ban may impact physician salaries.
Annual Price Of New US Drugs In 2022 Hit Median Of $200K
An analysis by Reuters found the price of novel drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration during 2022 had a median annual value of $222,003. Separately, reports say the ADHD drug shortage has now spread to affect generic Ritalin and Concerta, as Adderall supplies remain limited.
Alleged Fentanyl-Trafficking Son Of El Chapo Arrested Ahead Of Biden’s Visit To Mexico
News outlets report that Mexican security forces have arrested an alleged fentanyl trafficker wanted by the U.S. — one of the sons of former Sinaloa cartel boss El Chapo. In other news, two doctors’ “pill mill” opioid convictions are partly overturned, and more.
Damar Hamlin Now Alert And On Path To Neurological Recovery
Media outlets report on the health of Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin, whose collapse on the field drew attention to heart health. Hamlin is alert, but experts worry over his organ health. Other reports cover issues relating to sports, cardiac health, and airline medical kits for in-flight emergencies.
Viewpoints: MRNA Cancer Vaccine Looks Promising; What We Should Know About Variant XBB.1.5
Editorial writers delve into these public health topics.
First-Of-Its-Kind Autism Test Could Help With Earlier Diagnosis
LinusBio researchers say they’ve developed a test using a single strain of hair that could be used by clinicians as a diagnostic tool before symptoms of autism manifest. Other news reports on mpox, polio, Parkinson’s, and others.
Biden Will Use Title 42 Health Policy To Expel Migrants From 4 Nations
President Joe Biden has repeatedly decried use of the pandemic-era border measure and even declared Thursday, “I don’t like Title 42” — just moments after making a speech saying he would rapidly expel migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela entering the U.S. illegally.
NIH Launches Remote Program For Covid Testing, Consults, Treatments
The National Institutes of Health’s new pilot program is designed to allow people to receive free covid-related telehealth care, and it’s thought up to 8,000 people may use the “Home Test to Treat” site. Meanwhile, the latest worrisome covid variant is driving up hospitalizations on the East Coast.
FDA Steady On Abortion Pills: Rejects Pushes To Widen, Restrict Access
Media outlets report on efforts to: limit abortion pill access, from a conservative group; and to expand access, from a medical group seeking more use of mifepristone in miscarriages. Meanwhile, the Boston Globe reports on how some pharmacies may, or may not, decide to dispense the drugs.
Idaho’s High Court Tosses Out Lawsuits Challenging Near-Total Abortion Ban
Idaho’s Supreme Court upheld three state laws that ban nearly all abortion and allow prosecution of medical providers, ruling that there is “no implicit right” to abortion in the Idaho constitution. On the heels of South Carolina’s high court ruling the other way, the contradictory decisions offer a prime example of the complicated legal landscape in the U.S.
South Carolina’s 6-Week Abortion Ban Overturned By State’s Supreme Court
In a 3-2 decision, the South Carolina Supreme Court struck down a state law banning abortion when an ultrasound detects a fetal heartbeat. Justice Kaye Hearn wrote in the majority opinion: “Six weeks is, quite simply, not a reasonable period of time for these two things to occur, and therefore the act violates our constitution’s prohibition against unreasonable invasions of privacy.”
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Large Toxic ‘Forever’ Chemical Plume Hits Lake Michigan
News outlets cover a sizeable plume of toxic PFAS chemicals that have leaked into Lake Michigan’s Green Bay from a plant that makes firefighting foam. Some detected levels far exceed EPA drinking water health limits. Other news comes from New Jersey, Massachusetts, Texas, and elsewhere.
TikTok Weight Loss Buzz Leads To Diabetes Drug Shortage
Bloomberg reports on how an online meme is leading to serious supply shortages of Type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic. In other health industry news, Aetna wins a N.C. contract, Moderna buys a Japanese drugmaker to boost its mRNA drug efforts, and more.
Report: Clot Buster Linked To Patient Death In Alzheimer’s Drug Trial
A patient’s death during what’s said to be a “closely watched” trial of Eisai’s lecanemab Alzheimer’s drug has now been linked to a blood clot buster drug given after the patient had a stroke. Success of a blood cancer drug and an inflammatory bowel disease drug are among other science news.
Viewpoints: Nonmedical Vaccine Exemptions Need An Overhaul; CDC’s Opioid Restrictions Are Dangerous
Editorial writers examine these public health issues.
Research Roundup: Acute Heart Failure; Chemotherapy; Covid; Nasal Swabs For ‘Stealthy’ Viruses
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
