Latest KFF Health News Stories
Different Takes: Is Working From Home Bad For Us?; We Can Stop The Decline In Life Expectancy
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health topics.
Opinion writers discuss polio, covid vaccines, the nursing shortage, and more.
California May Be First State To Rank Heat Emergencies
The San Francisco Chronicle reports on bill AB2238, which would make the state’s Environmental Protection Agency create a new ranking system for heat waves, to boost public awareness about dangerous heat. Other news includes the death of Lori McClintock, the 988 hotline and more.
Program Could Prevent Half Of Postpartum Depression Cases: Study
An NIH mental health study, covered in the Boston Globe, examines the Reach Out, Stay Strong, Essentials for mothers of newborns (ROSE) program, which shows promise in preventing postnatal depression.
While Travel Nurse Costs Impact Hospitals, Health Hiring Rises
The effects of ongoing staffing crises on Alaska’s hospitals is reported, with worries about the cost of travel nurses and the impact on permanent staff. Modern Healthcare also reports on how some hospitals are being forced to reduce their services over staff woes.
E. Coli Outbreak Spreads To New York, Kentucky
The outbreak may be linked to Wendy’s and initially was a Midwest problem. At least 97 people have been sickened. Separately, E. coli has been detected in the Baltimore water supply, and arsenic has been found in the water at a public housing complex in New York City.
FTC Probing Amazon’s One Medical Purchase
The deal is worth nearly $4 billion, and has been reported on as a big play by the retail giant to expand its health care operations. The Federal Trade Commission’s investigation may delay the deal. Insider reports that Amazon may also be trying to access Japan’s prescription drug market.
CMS Proposes Rules To Ease Enrollment In Medicaid, CHIP
The changes aim to make it easier for qualified people to apply for Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program and to retain their benefits in redeterminations.
WHO Encouraged By Monkeypox Case Trends
Monkeypox infection numbers are down in North America and Europe, and the World Health Organization says that the numbers show the outbreak can be halted. Public health officials urge continued vigilance, though.
If Covid Distorted Your Sense Of Time, Don’t Panic: You’re In The Majority
A new study says a majority of Americans experienced a muddled sense of time during covid, with trauma from the pandemic experience to blame. Medical misinformation, future pandemic modeling, protection from previous covid infections, and more are also in the news.
Bivalent Boosters Are Here. Now What?
The updated covid shots from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna were authorized last week by the FDA and recommended by the CDC. Here’s what you need to know about getting the jab.
VA To Provide Abortions In Some Cases, Even In States Where It’s Banned
The Department of Veterans Affairs published an interim final rule Friday that would offer abortion services in all parts of the country to veterans and their beneficiaries when medically necessary or in circumstances of rape or incest.
CVS Spending $8 Billion To Buy Home-Health Company Signify
CVS Health announced Monday a deal to acquire Signify Health in a move that would add 10,000 contracted doctors and clinicians to the pharmacy giant’s medical care offerings.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Smelly Sweat Turns Out To Be A Good Thing; CDC Making Headway With Monkeypox
Editorial writers delve into these public health topics.
Different Takes: End Of Roe Has Negative Impact On IVF; Midwives Feel The Stress Of Post-Roe America
Opinion writers discuss reproductive rights, covid, and polio.
Arkansas Blocked From Banning Trans Minors’ Gender Care
A three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed an earlier ruling that had temporarily blocked Arkansas from enforcing a 2021 law banning children’s gender-affirming care. Also: A medical record issue in Utah prisons, parental leave in South Carolina, and other news.
E. Coli Infection Count Hits 84; Whole Foods Sued Over Antibiotics In Beef
The bacterial outbreak source is still unknown, reports Reuters, but a majority of the infected people ate sandwiches at Wendy’s. Separately, a lawsuit alleges Whole Foods beef labeled antibiotic-free contains traces. Plus, news on sleep, heat, and chronic disease.
White House Issues Directive To Make Federally Funded Studies Free To Public
In a “historic” move, the Biden administration also says the research should be made available immediately, instead of being kept behind a paywall for a year. Speaking to Stat, the New England Journal of Medicine editor-in-chief said at least a third of the journal’s roughly 200 yearly articles are connected to taxpayer funding.
Community Hospitals Hit Disproportionately By Covid: Study
A new study into “downstream” health care impacts of covid shows how community hospitals were more severely hit by central line-associated bloodstream infections and other care-associated infections during the pandemic. Also: Becker’s reports on the best hospitals to work for in each state.
