Latest KFF Health News Stories
Paxlovid, Other Antivirals Work On Omicron Subvariants, Study Finds
The research is especially good news since previous research has found that monoclonal antibodies aren’t effective against subvariants BQ.1.1 and XBB.
FDA Authorizes Bivalent Covid Shots For Kids
Both Pfizer’s and Moderna’s covid vaccines are included in the authorization, which applies to third-dose shots for children as young as 6 months old. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expected to quickly follow the move by the Food and Drug Administration.
Judge Blocks Graphic Warnings On Cigarettes; Store Signs Get New Rules
A federal judge in Texas ruled Wednesday that an FDA rule requiring graphic warnings on cigarette packages would violate the companies’ First Amendment rights. Separately, the Justice Department is requiring tobacco companies to warn about health dangers of smoking in store displays.
In Major Test Of Texas Law, Abortion Doctor Prevails In ‘Bounty Hunter’ Case
The law allows anyone to sue someone who “aids or abets” an abortion after six weeks of pregnancy. But a San Antonio judge dismissed the case Thursday, saying the Chicago man who filed it needed proof of injury as required in Texas’ constitution.
Biden Sent Historic Bill Aimed At Protecting Same-Sex Marriage
The Respect for Marriage Act federally recognizes same-sex and interracial marriages and requires all states to recognize ones performed in another state — even if any future Supreme Court decision allows states’ bans to be reinstated. The legislation is a response to the court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade in June.
House Passes Defense Bill That Lifts Military Covid Vaccine Mandate
Despite concerns raised by the Biden administration, including the Secretary of Defense, the $858 billion defense spending bill passed the House 350-80 Thursday. It next goes to the Senate, while military leaders brace for the impact of lifting the vaccine rules.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Should Medical Schools Change The MCAT?; Proposed Medicare Cuts Will Be Disastrous
Editorial writers delve into these public health concerns.
To Beat Pediatric Nurse Shortage, Nevada Fast-Tracks Temp Licenses
The Las Vegas Review-Journal says the Nevada State Board of Nursing can now issue a temporary Nevada license within a couple hours to a nurse already licensed in another state. Other news is from Connecticut, Missouri, Southern California, and elsewhere.
FDA Wants Lasik Eye Surgeons To Warn Patients Of Risks
MSN reports on an FDA investigation into Lasik risks and an initiative to press doctors to warn patients of complications. Some eye surgeons push back, saying the FDA focused only on negative information sharing. Also: supplements and heart patients, marijuana use by drivers, and more.
Statins Have Another Trick: Decreasing Risk Of Deadliest Strokes
Statins are already known to be a useful tool to lower the risk of stroke due to blood clots, but now new data show they are also good at lowering risk of stroke from intracerebral hemorrhage — which CNN calls “the deadliest kind.” Other news includes new melanoma immunotherapies, and more.
Bullying Among Health Care Workers In Spotlight
Fox News covers a recent article from Massachusetts General Hospital on bullying and toxic workplaces in health care. Separately, a study says hospital parking fees are more than an annoyance and can impose a significant burden on patients, particularly those who have to make frequent visits.
Senate Deadlock Hits Judicial Nomination Of Abortion Rights Lawyer
Julie Rikelman’s nomination to the Boston-based 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is deadlocked in the Senate Judiciary Committee, even as the panel advanced 11 of President Joe Biden’s other judicial picks. Rikelman argued the losing side of the Supreme Court case that overturned Roe v. Wade.
Biden Is First President To Attend National Gun Violence Vigil
The president again urged a ban on assault weapons. Also: Politico reports on a little-known administration initiative to curb gun violence through community intervention programs; and ABC News says doctors are trying to reframe gun violence as a major health crisis.
Help Wanted: Recruitment Tops ARPA-H Director’s Early Priorities
Renee Wegrzyn, director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, told Stat that hiring program managers ranks high on her list of steps needed to prove that the federal investment in the new agency will pay off.
Research Roundup: Mpox; Covid; Cancer Detection; AI In Health Care
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
FDA Speeds Up Review Of Pfizer’s RSV Vaccine For Older Adults
But don’t get your hopes up for any help this winter: The review period likely won’t end until May. Meanwhile, as the “tripledemic” of RSV, flu, and covid wreaks havoc on hospitals nationwide, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky told Roll Call that the agency is running out of ways to be creative with its limited pandemic funds.
White House Dashboard: Over 180,000 Nonfatal Opioid Overdoses In A Year
News outlets report on a new opioid data system debuted by the White House today. The first-of-its-kind dashboard also shows emergency services took 9.8 minutes on average to reach an overdose patient. Separately, a study shows opioid misusers with disabilities are more likely to attempt suicide.
It’s A ‘Mistake’ To Repeal Covid Vax Mandate For Military, White House Says
Administration officials did not indicate whether President Joe Biden would veto legislation that would roll back the covid vaccine mandate.
ACA Enrollment On Pace For Record Year With 5.5 Million Sign-Ups So Far
CMS says that enrollments for 2023 plans through healthcare.gov are up 18% over this time last year. Of those who have so far registered, 1.2 million are new consumers to the marketplace.
