Latest KFF Health News Stories
Amoxicillin In Short Supply Due To ‘Significant Demand’
Doctors are also running short of helium for MRI machines as the nonrenewable element becomes scarcer around the world. Meanwhile, doctors have suggestions for those who are having trouble filling their Adderall prescriptions.
Over 100,000 Physicians Left Their Jobs In 2021: Report
A report finds 117,000 physicians are the biggest group among some 334,000 health care workers who left the workforce, with retirement, burnout, and other pandemic stressors to blame. A nurse strike in the Bay Area, hospitals’ financial struggles, and other issues are also in industry news.
Monkeypox Infections Lead To 6 More Deaths
The deaths were reported in New York City, Chicago, Nevada, and Maryland. Meanwhile, a study reported in CIDRAP says that racial disparities in the monkeypox vaccine program are easing somewhat. And while case numbers decline, experts still emphasize caution.
‘Uncharted Territory’: Covid, Flu, RSV Infections All Expected To Rise
Public health officials eye a potential “tripledemic” coming this winter. Hospitals are already straining to cope with the surge of patients.
Uptake Of Covid Boosters Slows, Even Among Older Americans
Despite a growing concern over new omicron subvariants, surveys and data indicate lower adoption rates of the follow-up shots.
Pentagon Abortion Policies May Impact Defense Spending Bills
Republican lawmakers say that the Defense Department’s plans to pay for service members’ abortion travel could be the subject of future legislation, especially if they gain control of Congress in the November elections.
CDC Director Walensky Tests Positive For Covid
Dr. Rochelle Walensky has mild symptoms, media outlets report, and caught covid despite being “up to date” on covid shots and using precautions like masks. Separately, NBC News covers the risk of new variants for people with immune deficiencies, and other reports note the rise of BQ.1 and BQ.1.1.
White House Plans Push To Combat Addiction In Pregnancy
The plan includes expanded availability of medication to treat substance abuse. Also: a new paramedic policy for overdose patients, and fentanyl contamination in cocaine.
After 2 Nurses Killed In Dallas Hospital, Worker Safety Again In Spotlight
Two employees in the mother/baby unit at Methodist Dallas Medical Center were shot and killed Saturday, reports say. A 30-year-old man out on parole has been charged in the slayings. He’d been given permission to attend the birth of his child.
Nursing Homes Already On CMS Watchlist Could Face Stiff Penalties
The Biden administration unveiled plans to impose tougher consequences on the worst-performing nursing homes. For the small number already designated as “special focus” facilities, they could lose federal funds if they receive more than one violation citation.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
San Francisco To End Monkeypox State Of Emergency
The emergency declaration, now due to end October 31, has been in place for about three months and comes as case counts drop to fewer than one per day. But in Nevada, the first Clark County death from monkeypox was reported. Meanwhile, Seattle had the worst air in the world for a second day.
Pfizer To Soon Quadruple Price Of Covid Shots In US
Prices will rise to about $110 to $130 per dose after the current United States government’s current purchase program expires, Reuters reports. Meanwhile, pressure on drugmakers to widen access to medicines comes even as Novartis says it will allow some generic leukemia drug production.
Neurological Issues Found In Nearly 1 In 10 Kids Hospitalized With Covid
A team of researchers found 7% of young covid patients hospitalized from covid had neurological issues. Meanwhile, Moderna found its covid shot safe and quite effective in children younger than 5, but research showed vaccines weren’t as effective at preventing hospitalization during the Summer.
Data Breach Exposed Health Info Of 3 Million In Illinois, Wisconsin
Up to 3 million patients may have had personal information exposed to outside companies thanks to a data tracking issue at Advocate Aurora Health. Separately, a new study suggests to minimize impacts on public health, health conspiracy theories online should be debunked in real time.
Viewpoints: Telemedicine Is Worth Keeping; Are We Prepared For The New Covid Variants?
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health topics.
Workplace Issues Hurt Mental, Physical Health: Surgeon General
Media outlets report on words from U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy concerning risks to workers’ health from unhappy workplace environments. Separately, Murthy’s efforts to tackle youth mental health are facing stiff criticism, but efforts to tackle military suicides are working.
Obamacare Takes A Back Seat In Midterm Campaign
After a decade of pledging to “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act, Republicans this year are not talking much about the health law. Meanwhile, efforts at the CDC to improve responses to crises are lagging.
Drugmakers Seeking Some Relief On New Medicare Rules
The Inflation Reduction Act, which allows Medicare to negotiate the prices of some drugs, was strongly opposed by drugmakers and one of their very rare losses on Capitol Hill. They are now hoping to help influence the Biden administration as it sets the regulations from the new law.
Gas Stoves Can Emit Cancer-Causing Benzene, Even When Off: Study
The potential dangers of natural gas in homes mount as researchers find that stoves and pipes in California homes leak toxic pollutants, even when not in use. The concentrations of detected benzene — a chemical linked to cancer — was as high as seven times the state’s safety levels.
