Latest KFF Health News Stories
$1.5 Trillion And Climbing: Congress Finds Cost Of Opioid Crisis
That $1.5 trillion figure was reached in 2020, a Congressional report shows, and it is likely to grow. Meanwhile, ABC News reports the Department of Justice seized of 10 million fake fentanyl-laced pills between May and September of this year alone.
Walmart Will Cover Workers’ Fertility Treatments Under Insurance
AP, reminding us that Walmart is also the nation’s largest private employer, says the retailer has partnered with fertility startup Kindbody. Also: a $20 million donation to Episcopal Health Foundation to boost Texas health care, a $35 million investment in GoHealth, and more.
California Enacts Laws Protecting Abortion And Contraceptive Access
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, signed into law new abortion measures — some of which aim to protect out-of-state patients from being investigated in places where abortion is illegal. One of the laws also requires insurers to cover vasectomy costs starting in 2024.
Judge Finds Indiana Post-Abortion Fetal Burial Law Unconstitutional
U.S. District Judge Richard L. Young found the law, which required health providers to bury or cremate fetal tissue, infringes on religious and free speech rights of people who don’t agree with the policy. A “heartbeat” abortion ban in Ohio was also blocked until Oct. 12.
Late-Stage Trials Of Alzheimer’s Drug Show Promising Results
Eisai says that its experimental treatment, developed with Biogen, slowed the rate of cognitive decline by 27% in trial participants who are in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. Earlier trial data was already submitted to the FDA for accelerated approval review.
Next Year’s Medicare Part B Premiums Will Drop 3%
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced that 2023 Medicare Part B premiums would drop 3% — the first time in a decade that has happened. The Biden administration says the decrease is primarily due to expected savings on prescription drugs with Medicare now able to negotiate some costs and limited coverage of Aduhelm.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Changing Climate Makes Pandemics Likelier; HPV Vaccination Rates Have Plummeted
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health issues.
Child Ear Infections In Rural Alaska Linked To Absence Of Running Water
Lack of running water is a chronic problem in rural Alaska, the Anchorage Daily News reports. And now data link lack of running water to a 53% higher rate of middle-ear infections. Separately, new data show women were more likely to overdose during the pandemic.
Massachusetts Set To Vote On Revamp Of Dental Insurance
Massachusetts voters will be offered a question about new rules for dental insurers, forcing them to spend no less for patient care than 83% of collected premiums. Also: fentanyl penalties in Alabama, boosted funding for labor and delivery care in New Hampshire, and more.
Biogen To Pay $900M Over Alleged Drug Kickbacks
A former employee claimed that the biotechnology giant paid hundreds of doctors to get them to prescribe its multiple sclerosis drugs. Biogen continues to deny the allegations but said it settled the lawsuit to avoid continuing litigation, The Boston Globe reported.
Industry Trying ‘Empath’ Units Versus ERs For Mental Health Crises
Bloomberg reports on the rise of a new type of emergency room to help Americans experiencing a psychiatric crisis that is better suited to their needs. Low cash reserves in not-for-profit health systems, a new children’s hospital at West Virginia University and more are also in the news.
Jynneos Monkeypox Vaccine 79% Effective: Study
The Israeli study is non-peer reviewed and has been released in pre-print form, it’s important to note. That said, the data show 15 unvaccinated subjects and 3 vaccinated participants contracted the illness during the study. Other reports suggest monkeypox is starting to fade in the U.S.
How Does Covid Mutate So Rapidly? And Other Secrets We Need To Know
The Washington Post spotlights five things that still remain a mystery about covid, and notes how solving them may help slow the spread of the illness and plan for future pandemics. Separately, data show that covid isn’t rising dramatically now that school’s back, but the data may be lacking.
Coming Soon: More Moderna Boosters, More Monoclonal Antibody Treatments
The FDA has authorized five more batches of Moderna’s updated covid shot to address shortages across the nation. And the Health and Human Services Department is buying 60,000 more doses of bebtelovimab.
University Of Idaho Curbs Distribution Of Birth Control, Warns Staff
In guidance issued by the university’s general counsel, employees were warned that abortion counseling could result in a felony prosecution. They were also advised to stop offering birth control for students. Reproductive health experts say this is an early example of how the Supreme Court’s abortion decision will impact birth control access.
2 More Rape Victims, Both Minors, Had To Leave Ohio For Abortions
The new anti-abortion law in Ohio has, according to reports at the Ohio Capital Journal, forced at least two more minors who were pregnant after sexual assaults to seek abortions outside the state. Meanwhile, in Indiana, the Satanic Temple filed a suit challenging the state’s abortion ban.
White House Strategizes Ways To Combat Hunger, Diet-Based Diseases
Front-of-packaging food labels, increased nutrition assistance programs, and expanding school meal access are among the ideas included in a 44-page strategy report released by the Biden administration.
CMS Launches Database Revealing Who Owns Nursing Homes
Ownership data is being made public for the 15,000 skilled nursing homes that receive Medicare reimbursements. The release aims to increase industry transparency for government agencies and researchers. It will also be added to the Care Compare website this week for consumer access.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
