Latest KFF Health News Stories
Israeli Team Unearths Antibodies That Can Fight All Known Covid Variants
The antibodies can tackle every covid strain, including delta and omicron variants, and could potentially be infused into patients. The recent study is based on earlier work where immune cells were sequenced from people who’d recovered from the original covid strain in Israel.
Judge’s PrEP Coverage Ruling Could Undercut ACA’s Free Preventive Care
Judge Reed O’Connor ruled Wednesday that coverage of the HIV prevention drug required by the Affordable Care Act violates a Texas employer’s religious belief. The decision could jeopardize free preventive drugs and screenings like colonoscopies or mammograms. The Biden administration is expected to appeal.
Editorial writers delve into public health topics.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Research Roundup: Covid In Children, Vaccines; Effects Of Pandemic
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies. This week, we highlight research from the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP).
Editorial writers delve into covid related topics as well as other public health issues.
Perspectives: Aduhelm Has Dangerous Side Effects; Predatory Bacteria May Be Key To New Antibiotics
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Opioid Trial Of Big-Name Pharmacies Begins In New Mexico
Walgreens, Walmart and Kroger were accused of failing to act as a “dam” against illegitimate opioid prescriptions. In other news, part of California’s aid-in-dying law has been struck down, a third case of West Nile virus has been found in Massachusetts, and more.
Walking Between 3,800 And 9,800 Steps A Day Reduces Dementia Risk: Study
Other health and wellness news reports tackle wearable devices and mobility; nutrition labels; older adults and economic insecurity; and the infant formula crisis.
FDA To Discuss Approval For Amylyx’s Experimental ALS Drug Again Today
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Juul Will Pay $439 Million To Settle Teen Marketing Case
Media outlets report on the settlement made with 33 states and one territory over how the maker marketed its e-cigarettes to teens. The company has not admitted wrongdoing, but now faces restrictions on how it can market and distribute its products.
Baylor Medicine Wins Possibly First Covid Insurance Case, Against Lloyds
Reuters notes that the insurance industry has generally won covid-related cases relating to business interruption. But now Baylor College of Medicine has won a case against some Lloyds underwriters. The CVS-Signify deal is also in the news, along with other matters.
Doctors Step Up Lobbying Against Looming Medicare Payment Cuts
As they’ve successfully done the past two years, doctor groups like the American Medical Association and Surgical Care Coalition are pressing lawmakers to allocate additional Medicare funds to avoid payment cuts scheduled to go into effect in January.
In Unusual Move, EU Blocks $7B Merger Of 2 American Biotech Firms
A U.S. judge had already approved the merger of Illumina, headquartered in San Diego, and Grail, which is based in Menlo Park, California. The European Union says the deal would stifle innovation in an emerging market for early cancer-detection blood tests, The Wall Street Journal reported.
HHS Announces More Locations Will Open To Get Monkeypox Vaccine
A new $20 billion contract with AmerisourceBergen will allow the Department of Health and Human Services to expand its distribution rate to 2,500 locations across the country.
Health Startup Choix To Sell Abortion Pills To Non-Pregnant People
The plan, reported in Bloomberg, is so the abortion pills can be stockpiled for future use. It’s only offering the drugs in states where it’s licensed, in all of which abortion is legal. Other abortion news is reported across the country, along with news on the new U.K. Health Secretary’s stance.
Over 10 Million Children Lost Parents, Caregivers During Covid
Excess mortality data from the World Health Organization shows that around 7.5 million children worldwide were orphaned through covid, and 3 million more lost a primary caregiver. In other news, there’s mystery over why new covid variants have seemingly stalled in growth.
How To Make Sure You Are Getting The Updated Covid Booster
The cap and label colors on the old and new Pfizer and Moderna boosters are largely similar, NBC News reports, which could create confusion for health workers. But pharmacists at Walgreens and CVS say that the all shots for people over 12 who have received a previous booster would be the new version.
Future Of Covid Shots? Likely To Be Annual Jabs, Like Flu Vaccine
After a patient gets the recently approved omicron-tailored booster, their covid vaccine cadence will likely shift to once a year under a plan still in development by the White House.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
