Latest KFF Health News Stories
What’s At Electoral Stake: Health Care Access, Abortion, Drug Pricing
Tuesday’s midterm elections will carry far-reaching health care implications for all Americans with issues like abortion access, public health investments, Medicaid, fentanyl, vaping, pot, and much more at stake.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Steps For Teaching Teens To Manage Their Health; US Pediatric Emergency Care Is Failing
Editorial writers tackle these public health issues.
Opinion writers examine RSV, covid, and health insurance.
Pennsylvania Decriminalizes Fentanyl Test Strips
Previously the test strips were defined as drug paraphernalia, and the goal of the new law is to try to reduce opioid overdoses. In Texas, doctors threaten legal action over a delayed report on pregnancy-related deaths. And in Santa Clara County, California, a resident died from West Nile virus.
Alcohol Use Caused More Deaths During Pandemic
Between 2019 and 2020, the alcohol-caused death rate spiked 26%, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show. The increase was even bigger for women ages 35 to 44, rising 42%. Separately a study linked alcohol to stroke risk in young people.
‘Definitely A Big Deal’: New Antibiotic Effective Against UTIs
CNN says gepotidacin is the first new type of antibiotic targeting urinary tract infections in 20 years and notes its maker will soon submit data to the FDA for approval. Meanwhile, the amoxycillin shortage is hitting “hundreds” of pharmacies across the country, according to Bloomberg.
Report Highlights Health Services’ Vulnerability To Cyberattacks
The chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee released a report into cybersecurity issues in the health care industry, suggesting government steps to take to improve the risks. Meanwhile, Healthcare Dive reports on eight ways hospitals can prevent cyberattacks.
Sales Of Mail-Order Abortion Pills From India Surge
According to the FDA website, “in most circumstances, it is illegal for individuals to import drugs into the United States for personal use,” though there are loopholes, such as when the drug isn’t considered risky and the buyer isn’t selling it to others, Bloomberg reported. Furthermore, the Biden administration has pledged to protect access to mail-order abortion pills.
Pfizer’s New Booster Is ‘Substantially’ Better Than Original In Older Adults
Pfizer reports that one month after getting its new bivalent booster, trial participants ages 55 and older had antibody levels almost four times as high as those who received the original booster. But the test group was small, involving just 76 adults, and it’s unclear what effect the vaccine will have on a possible winter surge.
Manchin Urges Bipartisan Deal To Protect Medicare, Medicaid
The West Virginia Democrat, who sank President Joe Biden’s ambitious $3 trillion Build Back Better agenda last year, suggests both federal health care programs are “going bankrupt” and have “tremendous problems.”
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 lying, “biology’s century,” embalming, nightmares, the astronaut microbiome, and more.
CDC Relaxes Opioid Guidelines, Giving Doctors More Flexibility To Treat Pain
The CDC is updating and clarifying its 2016 guidance on opioid prescribing that many doctors and patients say led to untreated or undertreated pain. The new 100-page roadmap emphasizes greater flexibility for physicians in handling acute or post-surgical care as well as for treating chronic pain.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Has Covid Finally Hit A Plateau?; Low Vaccine Rates Not Always Due To Hesitancy
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health topics.
Inspection Of Wisconsin Veterans Home Uncovers Multiple Violations
The state-run home was cited for six violations in its yearly inspection, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports, with past violations including infection control issues and medication mistakes. In Columbus, Ohio, officials pointed toward successes from an alternative 911 response scheme.
Providers Of Methadone For Addiction Treatment Warn About Expansion
Stat reports providers are warning advocates who favor expanded access to methadone to be careful — while the drug is effective for opioid addiction, expansion could backfire and even drive overdoses of methadone. Separately, Walgreens, CVS will pay a more than $10 billion opioid settlement.
Nonunion Strike Hits ACA Call Centers As Open Enrollment Starts
Also: doctors dropping patients off their lists, health tech care for underserved populations, rising cancer drug prices, and more.
Huge Fall In Abortion Numbers In Texas After Strict Ban: Studies
The Texas Tribune reports that the number of abortions in Texas fell from a “few thousand” to less than 10 after the near-total state ban came into place. Meanwhile, abortion rights protesters briefly interrupted arguments in the Supreme Court, and some providers turn to mobile units.
Bubbles In Covid Booster Vials Prompt Investigation In Switzerland
The country’s drug regulator Swissmedic said it was looking into risks from bubbles in vials of new omicron-targeting booster shots. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists FAQ says small air bubbles can be ignored, but larger ones can lead to underdosing.
