Latest KFF Health News Stories
Federal Officials To Speed Up Dealing With Health Care Complaint Backlog
The Health and Human Services agency announced that over 51,000 complaints were filed against health agencies last year, and AP reports that complaints have grown 69% over five years. A backlog of investigations has resulted. Separately, surprise billing lawsuits are said to be slowing payments.
Led By Trump-Appointed Judges, Court Revives Fight Against NY Abortion Law
At issue is a 2019 law that makes it illegal to discriminate against workers because of their “reproductive health decision making.” A U.S. appeals court said the law violates an anti-abortion crisis pregnancy center’s constitutional rights by forcing it to employ people who go against its message, Reuters reported.
Sweetener Erythritol May Increase Risk Of Heart Attack And Stroke: Study
The findings come from a preliminary study and health experts offered varying opinions to Stat News about how consumers should react to the potential risk. Some said people at heart attack risk should avoid the sugar substitute outright, while others worry about the dangers of other sugar-heavy products.
Covid Emergencies Remain In Only 5 States With California’s Ending Today
Most of the remaining states with pandemic emergencies still in place have plans to wind them down over the coming months. Texas’ governor will likely extend his until the Legislature passes a law that stops cities from then enacting their own virus measures.
No White House Consensus Yet On Covid’s Origins With Intel At Odds
So far U.S. intelligence agencies have reached different conclusions on the pandemic’s origins, including the Energy Department’s most recent report pointing to a likely lab leak. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said, “the president made trying to find the origins of Covid a priority right when he came into office and he has a whole government effort designed to do that.”
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers weigh in on mental health, bird flu vaccines, nonprofit hospitals and covid issues.
Abrupt Nursing Home Closures In Massachusetts Strain Families, Market
Four nursing homes in Western Massachusetts will be closing this spring, the Boston Globe reports, forcing families to “scramble” to find alternatives in an already congested market. Also in the news, an environmental cleanup matter in California, how millions on Medicaid will lose coverage, and more.
Majority Say Government, Businesses Don’t Value Citizens’ Well-Being
An Axios-Ipsos poll shows results critical of the government and businesses in the U.S., with most people certain their health and well-being are not a priority — with mental health issues a primary concern. Among other news, rising nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, the obesity crisis, and more.
As Officials Insist Air Is Safe, Residents Near Ohio Train Incident Fall Ill
NBC News says residents and workers near the derailment site have been diagnosed with bronchitis and other conditions that doctors “suspect” are linked to chemical exposure. Meanwhile, CBS News reports that environmental officials insist outdoor air quality remains normal.
Focus On Rural Hospitals As More Close Their Maternity Units
The state of the country’s rural hospitals is in the spotlight as news media cover the shuttering of maternity units, the impact that rural hospital closures can have, and a “lifeline” effort by Missouri Rep. Sam Graves, a Republican.
FDA To Overhaul Its Oversight Of Tobacco, Nicotine Products
Roll Call notes the Food and Drug Administration’s changes come in response to a report critical of its rules regarding oversight and e-cigarette reviews. FDA Commissioner Robert Califf also spoke on the benefits of e-cigarettes over traditional tobacco products.
Federal Judge: Funds For Out-Of-Texas Abortions Are Safe From Prosecutors
U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman in Austin ruled Friday that local prosecutors in Texas can’t use state laws to prosecute organizations that help fund and arrange abortions for Texans in other states where they are legal. The Texas Tribune tempers the news with the words “likely safe,” however.
Stomach Bug Shigella Is Increasingly Drug Resistant, Warns CDC
News outlets cover a new warning from the CDC concerning a rise of serious gastrointestinal infections from the Shigella bacteria, which seems to be increasingly resistant to common antibiotics. Bird flu and Naegleria fowleri are also in the news.
‘Major Milestone’: First Home Test For Covid And Flu Authorized By FDA
The FDA approved Friday an emergency use authorization for the first at-home test that can simultaneously detect both covid and the two most common flu strains in 30 minutes. It’s developed by Lucira Health — which filed for bankruptcy last week — and is a nasal swab similar to other rapid kits people have become used to during the pandemic.
Energy Department Shifts Assessment On Covid Origins To ‘Likely’ Lab Leak
In a classified intelligence document reported by The Wall Street Journal, the Department of Energy revised its undecided position on the source of the covid pandemic to “likely” originating from an unintentional lab leak in China. The report joins a mix of U.S. intelligence agency judgments on covid’s origins.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Different Takes: Americans, Especially Teenagers, Are Struggling With Mental Health
Editorial writers tackle the mental health crisis in America.
Ohio Lt. Gov. Says Residents Near Train Crash Can ‘Drink Bottled Water’
Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, a Republican, drank tap water to show it’s safe, the Hill reported, but he said local residents could switch to bottled water if they remain concerned over health risks after the toxic train derailment. In New York, news on Mayor Eric Adams’ new mental health plan.
Opinion writers discuss these public health topics.
