Latest KFF Health News Stories
Democrats Trumpet Coming Savings From Health And Climate Law
Biden administration officials and Democratic lawmakers are hitting the road to promote the recently enacted Inflation Reduction Act in advance of the midterm elections — especially since much of the impact will not be felt by consumers until after November.
Amid Roe Reversal, McConnell Admits GOP Might Not Retake Senate In Fall
The Republican Senate minority leader blamed “candidate quality,” but Democrats have been flooded with campaign cash since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June. A special election next week in Woodstock, New York, could be a preview of things to come for Republicans, analysts say.
Kentucky Supreme Court Says Abortion Ban Stays Active During Arguments
The state’s strict abortion ban will stay in place during legal challenges, Kentucky’s Supreme Court decided. Meanwhile in Arizona, a judge will hear arguments about enforcing that states’s strict ban. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra visited Arizona to promote abortion rights.
LGBTQ Groups Frustrated Over Racial Disparity In Monkeypox Effort
Politico reports on data showing Black and Latino men who have sex with men are more likely to catch monkeypox than white men, and government efforts aren’t addressing this. Other media outlets report on “striking” racial disparities in infection rates. Meanwhile, worries over the vaccine rollout deepen.
FTC Cracks Down On Tech Firm It Says Is Revealing Visits To Abortion Clinics
The Federal Trade Commission has threatened to sue Idaho-based company Kochava. The company denied the accusations and said Thursday that it would create a “privacy block” service that would remove health location data from its marketplace.
WHO Says Monkeypox Shot Not Perfect Solution; Breakthroughs Happening
The World Health Organization is still looking into the efficacy of monkeypox vaccines. Officials warned the shots don’t offer total protection. Fortune notes breakthrough infections have occurred. Meanwhile, the Guardian says smallpox shots may protect from monkeypox only temporarily.
Another 1.8M Monkeypox Jabs Open To Orders Next Week, With Caveats
The White House is accelerating distribution of monkeypox doses for any jurisdictions that have used up 90% of existing supplies and will deliver the shots intradermally. The Biden administration is also reserving an allotment for upcoming gay pride events.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers delve into these public health topics.
Viewpoints: Why Aren’t Young Kids Getting Covid Vaccine?; Polio Is Back, Thanks To Vaccine Hesitancy
Opinion writers weigh in on vaccine hesitancy, monkeypox, abortion, and teenagers’ sleep needs.
Research Roundup: Covid; Flu And Antibiotics; PTSD
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Connecticut Senator Urges HHS To Reverse Trump Medicaid Cuts
The CT Mirror reports on a lawsuit in Connecticut that led to calls for rescinding cutbacks made to Medicaid under the Trump administration. Other reports remind Medicaid beneficiaries they can get free produce, and cover how trans rights organizations will sue Florida over gender care bans.
CDC Probes Growing E. Coli Outbreak In Ohio, Michigan
Twenty-nine people have fallen ill in the outbreak, and as yet, the CDC has not identified any food as the source. Separately, two people in New York City have been found to have West Nile virus, and two deaths in Florida are linked to raw oysters.
Boston Children’s Hospital Hit With Harassment Over Trans Care For Kids
A “large volume” of hostile acts, including threats of violence towards staff have been reported, according to the Boston Globe. In other news, a hospital lawsuit over understaffing in anesthesiology, hospital executive pay increases during the pandemic, tech reinventing health care, and more.
FDA Approves Beta-Thalassemia Gene Treatment Costing $2.8M Per Patient
The treatment is made by Bluebird Bio, and is reported to represent a potential cure for the rare blood disorder. The Wall Street Journal notes it will be one of the most expensive drugs in the U.S. The treatment, called Zynteglo, had been approved in Europe but its costs were deemed prohibitive.
Updated Covid Boosters Ready Within ‘Weeks,’ Says White House
Covid coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha said the updated shots, which target the BA.4 and BA.5 omicron subvariants as well as the original virus, will be available to everyone eligible over age 12. Separately, Novavax is now seeking Food and Drug Administration approval for its booster.
Covid Can Have Neurological Impact Lasting Years: Study
Media outlets report on investigations into the impact of a covid infection on patients’ brains. Higher risks of psychotic disorders, dementia and other conditions can persist for at least two years, researchers found. Delta-variant covid has also been found to lead to more psychological effects than alpha.
Reports Suggest Rethink On How Sex Plays Role In Monkeypox Transmission
A report in NBC News covers a deepening understanding in the scientific community over the role of sexual contact between men in spreading monkeypox — it may be more typical than simple skin-to-skin contact. Other outlets report a ninth U.S. child is positive, and that U.S. cases are rising.
Historic Spending: Planned Parenthood Will Spend $50M On Midterm Elections
The abortion rights advocacy organization will use record money raised after the Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade. Planned Parenthood says it will initially focus on nine states where races could determine abortion access.
Demand For Monkeypox Shot May Force Maker To Outsource Production
Bavarian Nordic A/S, the Denmark-based maker of the only FDA-approved monkeypox vaccine, says it is struggling to meet demand as cases rise. The White House is also facing calls to use the Defense Production Act to boost production of the shots.
