Latest KFF Health News Stories
Critics Say Nebraska Medical Moral Objection Bill Targets LGBTQ+ Care
AP reports that Nebraska lawmakers are considering a bill allowing medical providers to cite religious, ethical, or moral beliefs to deny some medical care. Critics say it’s overbroad and targets abortion rights and the LGBTQ+ community. In Florida, lawmakers tightened a ban on gender care.
Eyedrops Linked To Infection Clusters; First Lawsuit Is Filed
Four states have infection clusters linked with EzriCare artificial tears, Bloomberg reports. NBC News says a lawsuit has been filed against the maker of EzriCare drops and Walmart after a woman suffered a bacterial infection. Also: traffic noise, chocolate and heart health, calorie restriction, and more.
Rising Costs Blamed For Kaiser Permanente’s $4.47 Billion Net Loss
Modern Healthcare says the net loss for 2022 is merely the latest sign that health systems are struggling amid rising costs. Separately, Mass General Brigham recorded a nearly $1.5 million Q1 operating loss, and insurtech Oscar Health’s net loss grew in 2022. But other providers are building new hospitals.
Flu Level Stays Low, But 100 US Children Have Now Died From It
And separately, cases of norovirus are happening across the country, and in Detroit one school had to close due to an outbreak among students and staff.
Covid Masking Rules Have Ended For Health Facilities In New York
AP says officials decided to let the requirements lapse Sunday, though Acting Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald noted the pandemic is still not over. The omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 has continued to expand its dominance in the U.S., meanwhile, now accounting for 75% of cases.
Ruling Against Abortion Pill Would Be ‘Devastating,’ 22 Attorneys General Say
Meanwhile, abortion providers across the country are bracing themselves for potential fallout over the Texas court case. A ruling is not expected until sometime after Feb. 24.
Biden Admin Approving State Requests To Use Medicaid To Pay For Groceries
But as The Wall Street Journal reports, using “food as medicine” has raised objections from some who say it is an unnecessary expansion of Medicaid and that it undercuts SNAP funds. Other news is on Medicare and the backlash against the GOP’s possible “sunsetting” of it.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Moves To Limit Sex, Gender Education In Florida Echoed In Other Red States
The Washington Post says that controversial laws in Florida that target teaching of gender and sexual issues up to fourth grade are being replicated by lawmakers in other places. Stateline notes “dozens” of bills disrupting trans health care have been filed by Republicans across the country.
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
Spotlight On Medical Issues That Will Hit Quake Survivors
Survivors of the Turkey-Syria earthquake will face myriad health problems. NPR examines the process of sending aid to the area. Also in the news: the mental health impact of the war in Ukraine.
North Carolina House Set To Vote On Medicaid Expansion
A bill introduced this week will likely lead to a North Carolina House vote on Medicaid expansion next week, AP says. The bill is the latest move in a to-and-fro tussle on the matter between Senate and House. Meanwhile, a Medicaid expansion bill died without a reading in Wyoming.
71 Norovirus Cases Linked To Las Vegas School Amid Nationwide Surge
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show climbing norovirus cases across the country, Scripps reports. An outbreak at a Las Vegas school has grown to 71 confirmed and probable cases. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, the U.K. is also experiencing a higher-than-average surge.
US Suicide Rate, Lower During Covid, Rises To Pre-Pandemic Level
News outlets report on analysis from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing the suicide rate rose in 2021, after two years with a slightly lower level. U.S. News & World Report notes that disproportionate increases in suicides among people of color have happened recently.
Study Finds One Dose Of Azithromycin Cuts Sepsis Rates In Childbirth
The treatment, which is inexpensive and easy to deliver, could impact the number of pregnant people in low- and middle-income countries who develop the condition, Stat reports. Separately, data show getting sepsis while hospitalized is a red flag for future heart health problems.
As Red-State Neighbors Restrict Abortion, Dem Governors Push For Protections
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper voice their strong defense of abortion rights during an interview with Politico. In Maryland, The Washington Post reports, top Democrats also seek more abortion protections.
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 students with disabilities, digital scribes, metagenomic next-generation sequencing, sex, and more.
CDC Adds Covid Jab To Routine Lineup; Scientific Find Offers Clues To Virus
The CDC on Thursday formally added covid vaccines to its immunization schedule for kids and adults, joining other shots like polio, measles, and chickenpox. In other news on the virus, researchers in Australia have discovered a protein in the lungs that sticks to coronavirus like Velcro and forms a natural protective barrier in a person’s body.
HHS Preps States For End Of Covid Public Health Emergency
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra sent a letter and fact sheet to every governor Thursday that described how the agency is planning for the transition that will usher in big financial and logistical changes for the health industry and for patients.
Medicare Previews Plan To Penalize Drugmakers That Hike Prices Beyond Inflation
The Biden administration released new details Thursday on how Medicare will use new powers from the Inflation Reduction Act to claw back refunds from companies that increase prescription drug prices at a rate that outpaces inflation starting in 2025.
