Latest KFF Health News Stories
Anti-Abortion Activists To Target Retail Pharmacies Selling Abortion Pills
Politico covers news from anti-abortion activists who plan to target retail pharmacies that will sell abortion pills where they’re permitted to by state law, under the new FDA rules. WUSF Public Media reports that Florida laws mandating multiple physician visits will rule out such sales in the state.
NY Governor Pledges $1 Billion To Filling Gaps In Mental Health System
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul outlined during her State of the State address her plan to address untreated mental health issues in the state, saying the money will go toward more psychiatric beds, increased outpatient services, and hospital reforms.
Defense Department Ends Covid Vaccine Mandate For Service Members
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin says the Pentagon urges military members to get covid shots and is giving commanders discretion in how to deploy unvaccinated troops. Other covid news reports on Moderna’s proposed vaccine price hike and on the spread of XBB.1.5.
First Edition: January 11, 2023
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Study: Clinicians Take On Heftier Role When Private Equity Buys A Practice
A study examining the impact of private equity acquisitions of physician practices finds that nurse practitioners and physicians assistants are relied on more heavily and that patient churn is higher. Researchers found no difference in physician counts though. Other health personnel news reports on hospital volunteers, OB-GYN standards, and striking nurses.
Viewpoints: Hospitals Must Provide Patients Price Transparency; Some Medical Staff No Longer Masking
Editorial writers delve into these public health issues.
Connecticut Expands Medicaid To Children Of All Immigrants
Meanwhile, in New York City, officials defended legislation designed to charge municipal retirees who don’t opt into the Medicare Advantage plan for coverage. Other news from across the country covers covid deaths in Orange County, rural Latinx violence survivors, marijuana sales in Connecticut, and more.
Too Many And Too Explicit: Most People Want Drug Ads Off The Airways
A survey dives into objections that people cite to prolific drug advertising, including overall volume, repetitive airings, and the narrations of “heinous” side effects or age-inappropriate health matters. Also in industry news is the cost of the newly approved Alzheimer’s drug.
Brain-Computer Interface Found Safe, Can Work For Paralyzed Patients
Politico reports on successes declared by Synchron, a company researching systems for paralyzed patients to connect to computers via direct implants into veins in the brain. Separately, the New York Times explains how AI technology is used to compute new human protein models.
2 Million Calls, Messages To 988 Mental Health Helpline In First Six Months
“The call volume is, in some instances, well beyond what we anticipated,” Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, assistant secretary for mental health and substance use in the Department of Health and Human Services, told the AP. Also in the news: a rise in mental health telemedicine, severe strep infections among kids, possible lead exposure to kids living near airports, and more.
FDA Head Unsurprised By Aduhelm Approval Investigation
The controversial fast-track FDA approval of Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm prompted a congressional investigation, and now FDA commissioner Robert Califf is said to not disagree with its findings. Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal says the FDA is increasingly halting experimental human trials.
Meet The Lawmakers Taking Over Health Power Slots
News outlets spotlight the people who will shape health care policy in the new Congress. And with split control of the Senate and House, deeper budget cuts are anticipated that will likely have particular impact on health programs.
Good News From Planet Earth: As Chemicals Decline, Ozone Is Healing
Progress with the ozone layer offers promise for combatting climate change, scientists say. Separately, Bloomberg reports on moves the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is considering related to gas stoves, amid worries they can cause detrimental health impacts.
White House Lays Groundwork For What Could Be Last Renewal Of Covid Emergency
With covid again surging, the Biden administration will extend the public health emergency this week. But it could be for the last time — a decision that would have a cascade effect across insurance programs and other public health initiatives. In Congress, House Republicans are using their new majority to launch pandemic-related probes.
House Republicans Aim For Votes On Three Anti-Abortion Measures
One of the planks of the Republicans’ plan includes new rules allowing fast-tracking of legislation permanently banning federal funding of abortion. Separately, it’s still unclear how abortion pills will be available at retail pharmacies, and what prices will be charged.
First Edition: January 10, 2023
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
House Republicans Expected To Put ‘Born-Alive’ Bill High On Agenda
With the speakership fight finally settled, House Republicans are expected to move on anti-abortion bills. Separately, the FDA chief talks to Stat about new rules around abortion pills. And access and laws from the states are also in the news.
New Laws In Utah, Other States Aim At Restricting Trans Health Care
News outlets report on a number of efforts across the states to limit gender-affirming health care for transgender people, with Republican lawmakers “zeroing-in on questions of bodily autonomy,” as the AP reports. Laws targeting LGBTQ+ matters in Texas are also in the news.
Nurse Strike In New York City: Thousands May Participate
News outlets note that although headway has been made with contracts for some unions, thousands of NYC nurses may strike today, against what they say are unsafe staffing levels. The “essential” designation for U.S. hospitals, and how it plays into federal funding, is among other industry news.
Editorial writers tackle these public health issues.
