Latest KFF Health News Stories
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
A Canadian Province Decriminalizes Hard Drugs
In what AFP calls a “radical” policy shift, British Columbia is trying to tackle an opioid overdose crisis by decriminalizing possession of small amounts of hard drugs. Europe’s lagging pharma sector, a surge of covid deaths in Japan, and more are also in the news.
Research Roundup: MS; Candida Auris; Clinical Trial Recruitment; And More
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Concussed Children Benefit From Quicker Return To School: Study
Previous guidance suggested keeping children with concussions out of school, resting in a quiet dark place. A new study suggests a different approach, and says keeping kids at home for longer delays recovery. Also in the news: breast cancer care after age 70, pain sensations from high fat diets, more.
Students In LA Permitted To Carry Overdose-Stopping Drug Narcan
The move comes, the Los Angeles Times says, amid worries over the rising danger from illicit fentanyl. Meanwhile, in Tennessee, Republican lawmakers blocked efforts from Democratic lawmakers to question the state’s health commissioner over cuts to HIV prevention and treatment funding.
NY Gov. Vetoes Bill For Emotional Damage Claims In Wrongful Deaths
The bill, which AP reports had strong bipartisan support, would have allowed wrongful death lawsuits to include emotional damage claims, potentially inflating payouts from medical error cases in the state. Other news comes from San Francisco, St. Louis, Maryland and elsewhere.
FTC Fines GoodRx Over Sharing User Health Data With Big Tech
News outlets report on the first time the Federal Trade Commission has enforced its powers over health data breaches, fining GoodRx $1.5 million for sharing health data with data brokers, Facebook, Google, and others. Meanwhile, FDA warnings to sellers of unproven mpox drugs, and more.
CMS Signals That Medicare Advantage Payments Will Decline In 2024
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services previewed Wednesday its 2024 payments and rates for Medicare Advantage. While a rate increase is proposed, insurers could see an average 2.3% cut to baseline payments, Stat reports. The agency also released planned changes to Medicare Part D and the star ratings programs.
Majority Of Gun Deaths In US Are Suicides, Not Homicides, Study Finds
Data show that 54% of gun deaths are suicides, Harvard Public Health reports. In other news, Vice President Kamala Harris calls for passage of the police reform bill while speaking at the funeral of Tyre Nichols; a D.C. Metro employee died Wednesday after trying to stop a gunman who was shooting at commuters; and more.
Republican AGs Say CVS, Walgreens’ Abortion Pill Plans Are ‘Illegal’
The Hill reports on a letter sent by 20 Republican attorneys general alleging plans by pharmacy chains to distribute abortion pills by mail are “unsafe and illegal.” NPR, meanwhile, notes that a decision on access to abortion drug mifepristone lies in the hands of a Trump-appointed Texas judge.
Study Claims Merck’s Covid Pill Is Giving Rise To New Virus Mutations
A preprint study says mutations linked to the use of Lagevrio have been identified in viral samples taken from dozens of patients, Bloomberg reported. Merck disputed that its drug — which works by creating mutations in the covid genome — was causing problematic mutations, saying that researchers drew their conclusions from “circumstantial associations.”
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Using ChatGPT In Health Care Is Risky; China Wasn’t Prepared To End Covid Lockdowns
Editorial writers delve into these public health topics.
Perspectives: US Must Reauthorize PEPFAR; PBMs Are Standing In The Way Of Biosimilars
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Minnesota Governor Signs Bill Guaranteeing Abortion Rights
Meanwhile, in Indiana, the state’s high court said it wouldn’t immediately consider a religious freedom-based challenge to the state’s abortion ban, leaving the matter to an appeals court. And in Vermont, AP reports that lawmakers are considering bills to protect abortion and gender-affirming care providers.
Kentucky Fund Allots First Award To Fight Opioid Crisis
The Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission has awarded $10.5 million to a program offering behavioral health treatment for people with substance use disorder. Also: efforts to help feed children in lower-income areas of West Virginia, rules for physical therapy in Missouri, and more.
Experts Urge More Women To Remove Fallopian Tubes To Avoid Cancer
The radical step is recommended for women with high genetic risk for ovarian cancer. Meanwhile, a new study suggests obesity can cause similar changes in the brain to Alzheimer’s disease. And Bloomberg reports that some Americans are still drinking toxic bleach products as a cure-all.
Arthritis Drug Humira Challenged By Biosimilar Costing Half As Much
News outlets cover the new “copycat” drug from Amgen rivalling Humira, which NPR says has had a 20-year and $200 billion revenue history. Bloomberg says the rival may be as much as 55% cheaper. Separately, concerns over bacterial infections from a brand of OTC eye drops.
Covid Variants Could Linger, Evolve In Deer Population: Study
The New York Times covers a new study that suggests alpha and gamma covid remained and evolved in white-tailed deer once those variants had stopped spreading widely in humans — and could lead to new variants, which could then transfer back to people.
Health System Braces For Financial Hit, Less Flexibility When Covid Emergency Lifts
When the national emergency expires, health care systems and nursing homes will likely face the end to popular measures like higher Medicare reimbursements for covid admissions, some telehealth flexibility, acute hospital care outside of facilities, and others. American patients can also expect big changes, most of which will cost them more.
