Latest KFF Health News Stories
No White House Consensus Yet On Covid’s Origins With Intel At Odds
So far U.S. intelligence agencies have reached different conclusions on the pandemic’s origins, including the Energy Department’s most recent report pointing to a likely lab leak. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said, “the president made trying to find the origins of Covid a priority right when he came into office and he has a whole government effort designed to do that.”
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers weigh in on mental health, bird flu vaccines, nonprofit hospitals and covid issues.
Abrupt Nursing Home Closures In Massachusetts Strain Families, Market
Four nursing homes in Western Massachusetts will be closing this spring, the Boston Globe reports, forcing families to “scramble” to find alternatives in an already congested market. Also in the news, an environmental cleanup matter in California, how millions on Medicaid will lose coverage, and more.
Majority Say Government, Businesses Don’t Value Citizens’ Well-Being
An Axios-Ipsos poll shows results critical of the government and businesses in the U.S., with most people certain their health and well-being are not a priority — with mental health issues a primary concern. Among other news, rising nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, the obesity crisis, and more.
As Officials Insist Air Is Safe, Residents Near Ohio Train Incident Fall Ill
NBC News says residents and workers near the derailment site have been diagnosed with bronchitis and other conditions that doctors “suspect” are linked to chemical exposure. Meanwhile, CBS News reports that environmental officials insist outdoor air quality remains normal.
Focus On Rural Hospitals As More Close Their Maternity Units
The state of the country’s rural hospitals is in the spotlight as news media cover the shuttering of maternity units, the impact that rural hospital closures can have, and a “lifeline” effort by Missouri Rep. Sam Graves, a Republican.
FDA To Overhaul Its Oversight Of Tobacco, Nicotine Products
Roll Call notes the Food and Drug Administration’s changes come in response to a report critical of its rules regarding oversight and e-cigarette reviews. FDA Commissioner Robert Califf also spoke on the benefits of e-cigarettes over traditional tobacco products.
Federal Judge: Funds For Out-Of-Texas Abortions Are Safe From Prosecutors
U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman in Austin ruled Friday that local prosecutors in Texas can’t use state laws to prosecute organizations that help fund and arrange abortions for Texans in other states where they are legal. The Texas Tribune tempers the news with the words “likely safe,” however.
Stomach Bug Shigella Is Increasingly Drug Resistant, Warns CDC
News outlets cover a new warning from the CDC concerning a rise of serious gastrointestinal infections from the Shigella bacteria, which seems to be increasingly resistant to common antibiotics. Bird flu and Naegleria fowleri are also in the news.
‘Major Milestone’: First Home Test For Covid And Flu Authorized By FDA
The FDA approved Friday an emergency use authorization for the first at-home test that can simultaneously detect both covid and the two most common flu strains in 30 minutes. It’s developed by Lucira Health — which filed for bankruptcy last week — and is a nasal swab similar to other rapid kits people have become used to during the pandemic.
Energy Department Shifts Assessment On Covid Origins To ‘Likely’ Lab Leak
In a classified intelligence document reported by The Wall Street Journal, the Department of Energy revised its undecided position on the source of the covid pandemic to “likely” originating from an unintentional lab leak in China. The report joins a mix of U.S. intelligence agency judgments on covid’s origins.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Different Takes: Americans, Especially Teenagers, Are Struggling With Mental Health
Editorial writers tackle the mental health crisis in America.
Ohio Lt. Gov. Says Residents Near Train Crash Can ‘Drink Bottled Water’
Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, a Republican, drank tap water to show it’s safe, the Hill reported, but he said local residents could switch to bottled water if they remain concerned over health risks after the toxic train derailment. In New York, news on Mayor Eric Adams’ new mental health plan.
Opinion writers discuss these public health topics.
Health Providers Struggle With Worsening Issue Of Worker Shortages
Primary care practices, insurers, doctors, residents, and nursing homes are at all at the center of a critical challenge widely impacting the health care industry around the nation.
Humana Reveals Plans To Exit Employer-Based Insurance Market
News outlets report on a new strategy from health insurer Humana: it will take up to two years to exit the employer-based insurance business, and instead focus on government-backed programs like Medicare Advantage. Amazon, SimpliFed, DaVita, Teledoc, and more are also in the news.
Big Tech: Data’s Racial Biases Must Be Fixed Before AI Health Care Expands
With generative AI in the news, Google and Microsoft officials spoke on the use of AI in health care, highlighting problems from implicit racial biases built into health data. Meanwhile, CIDRAP reports that celebrity Twitter users helped swing public opinion on pandemic responses.
Majority Of States Fail To Keep Lead Out Of School Drinking Water
A new analysis out Thursday found many American school children are at risk of lead exposure when drinking water at school — 27 states earned an “F.” Other public health news is on food stamps; Ozempic and childhood obesity; weather’s impact on health; hunger; and more.
