Latest KFF Health News Stories
‘As Scarce As Taylor Swift Tickets:’ The Saga Of Finding Children’s Tylenol
Axios reports on why the shortage of children’s Tylenol and Motrin continues, much to the frustration of parents of young children. Other public health news touches on forever chemicals, ketamine clinics for mental health, marijuana use among young adults, and more.
Watchdog Finds That Gaps In CMS Oversight Cost Medicare Part B Millions
Medicare Part B and its beneficiaries missed out on millions in savings related to drug payments, according to a report from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Inspector General. HHS also issued a new rule on Medicaid reimbursements.
NFL Player’s Heart Incident Prompts Calls For More To Learn CPR
News outlets cover calls from doctors for more members of the public to learn lifesaving CPR techniques in the wake of Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest during a game Monday night. Hamlin is reportedly showing some signs of improvement, but remains in critical condition.
Walgreens, CVS Will Pursue Certification To Sell Abortion Pills
Pharmacy giants Walgreens and CVS said Wednesday that they will take the regulatory steps to be able to dispense mifepristone, the first drug in the two-drug protocol of a medicated abortion. The decisions follow a new FDA rule allowing retail pharmacies to dispense the medication for the first time.
Biden, WHO Question China’s Covid Death Reports
President Joe Biden and global health officials raised concerns that covid-related deaths are underreported and want China to be more forthcoming about the state of the crisis. In the U.S., local news outlets report that the virus is flaring in some regions while stable in others.
Growth Of ‘Most Transmissible Subvariant’ XBB.1.5 Worries Health Officials
The World Health Organization says the omicron strain XBB.1.5, which has become the dominant variant in the U.S. over a matter of weeks, could drive cases up. Dr. Ashish Jha, White House pandemic response coordinator, called its growth “stunning” but cautioned against panic. Scientists are working to determine if the subvariant also causes more severe illness.
First Edition: January 5, 2023
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
CVS Opioid Settlement Will Give California $470 Million
The state attorney general’s office confirmed the payments, part of a multistate settlement, on Tuesday. Separately, Los Angeles County health officials have called for indoor masking to fight covid. Other news comes from Georgia, Mississippi, Colorado, Iowa, and elsewhere.
Perspectives: Opioid Crisis Is Hurting Chronic Pain Patients
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Startup Insurers’ Future Cast In Doubt Through A Poor 2022
Modern Healthcare reports on insurtech companies’ “failure to thrive” at a time when most health insurers are making record money. Separately, a report notes risks to patient data from cyberattacks. The Amazon-One Medical deal, LCMC Health, HCA Healthcare and more are also in the news.
Scientists: Social Media Habits Are Actually Changing Teens’ Brains
A study reported on by the New York Times is said to be among the first to try to correlate changes in brain function with years of social media use. Findings show social media checking leads to different sensitivities to social rewards among teens. Also: antibiotic resistance, covid research and more.
The Pandemic Is Still Hitting College Students’ Mental Health: Study
The study in France included nearly 45,000 college students and found high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression 15 months after the pandemic began. Meanwhile, the FDA has added sesame to the major food allergens list, among other news.
Senators Say Patients ‘Lured’ By Medical Credit Card Promotions
In a letter to banks that issue such cards, senators called out potentially deceptive marketing that can lead consumers into financial trouble. Other congressional news focuses on Medicare benefits and possible fallout from a 2018 law related to opioid treatment.
Viewpoints: Work Weight Loss Challenges Have Opposite Effect; US Pediatric Health Care In Trouble
Editorial writers delve into these public health topics.
Covid Vaccine Misinfo Spread Online After NFL Player’s Collapse
News outlets cover “irresponsible” and “baseless” rumors circulating after the collapse of Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills, speculatively linking the event to Hamlin’s covid shot status. Other reports cover a possible cause: commotio cordis, a cardiac condition caused by a chest impact.
New Year, Same Viruses: Post-Holiday ‘Tridemic’ Uptick Monitored
State officials and hospital systems in New York and California are on alert for a surge in covid, RSV, and flu cases after the holiday season. Public health experts urge the federal government to take greater mitigation steps now.
National Abortion Ban On List Of Advocacy Groups’ House Demands
Religious and anti-abortion advocacy groups are pushing Republicans to use their new House majority to pass reproductive measures like a national abortion ban at 6 weeks, stop telemedicine access to abortion pills, and defund Planned Parenthood — even though none of those bills would pass in Senate or be signed by President Joe Biden.
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
FDA Allows Abortion Pill Prescription To Be Filled At Retail Pharmacies
The Food and Drug Administration made a regulatory change Tuesday that opens the door for retail pharmacies to dispense mifepristone. The pill could previously only be offered by clinics, doctors or mail-order pharmacies. The move could increase access to a medicated abortion, though state laws in 12 states would ban sales.
First Edition: January 4, 2023
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
