Latest KFF Health News Stories
CMS Wants To Limit Non-Standard Policies On Insurance Exchanges
Modern Healthcare says the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is proposing changes to ACA network adequacy and standardized plan rules, boosting the number of standardized plans offered.
Overdoses Surging Because Of Fentanyl ‘Hidden’ In Other Drugs
A Bloomberg report shines a light on “hidden” fentanyl in drugs such as Adderall and cocaine. Fox News warns that fentanyl and a “more dangerous” type of meth are driving homelessness. Other news outlets cover drug use in California youths, Milwaukee, and elsewhere.
Iowa Judge Quashes Attempt To Ban Most Abortions In The State
A 2019 decision placed a permanent injunction on Iowa’s strict abortion law, and now a state judge says there’s no process to reverse it. Separately, in Pueblo City, Colorado, efforts by a Texas anti-abortion group to push an abortion ban were rejected by the city council.
White House, Medical Community Call Out Musk’s ‘Dangerous’ Fauci Tweets
The Biden administration and other medical professionals worry that Twitter owner Elon Musk’s words could further inflame possible physical threats against Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Covid Linked To Serious Heart Condition POTS: Research
New research finds evidence of a connection between cases of POTS, or postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, and a covid infection — and to a lesser extent, covid vaccinations.
3.2 Million More Americans Would’ve Died Without Covid Vaccines: Study
In what is viewed as a conservative estimate, a new study says that covid vaccines averted at least 3.2 million deaths and kept over 18.5 million patients out of the hospital.
More Ambitious Care Standards Set By American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association is urging a more modern and aggressive approach to treating patients with diabetes. Recommendations include losing 15% of weight instead of 5%, a greater use of statins to control cholesterol, and tackling racial disparities in care.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Oakland Calculates The Real Cost Of Homelessness: 6% Of Its Budget
The “true” cost of homelessness, from direct to indirect, was estimated by Oakland officials to be $122 million out of their $2 billion annual budget. Also: how homelessness worsens in older populations; deaths of unhoused people in Anchorage, Alaska; and more.
Viewpoints: We Can See The Negative Impact Of Covid Misinformation; Is Influenza Overtaking Covid?
Editorial writers delve into these public health topics.
Special Report: Chronic Pain Hits Kids, Adults And Wallets, But Can Be Tackled
A special report in USA Today looks at different aspects of chronic pain, including how expensive it is to manage the condition. The report also looks into which treatments work for children, how drug alternatives can make a difference, whether cannabis helps, and the future of treatment.
‘What Took You So Long?’: San Francisco Has ‘Scary’ Shortage Of 911 Dispatchers, First Responders
Chronic understaffing has led to employee burnout and lower-quality services for residents because the city is failing to meet standards for 911 call response times, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. Other news is from Missouri, Massachusetts, Texas, Connecticut, and Colorado.
Mpox Infection Led To Myocarditis In 3 Men, Study Finds
The men had no history of heart problems, and all of them recovered. Other news is on mental health in the military, the opioid crisis, fibroids, menopause, and more.
Study: Smaller Surgeries Are An Option For More Breast Cancer Patients
AP reports on a study showing lumpectomies, compared with mastectomies, are an effective option for many women with two or three breast tumors, challenging usual dogma. Other news includes genetically targeted drugs for treating leukemia, a multiple myeloma treatment, and more.
Juul To Pay $1.7 Billion To Settle More Than 5,000 Vaping Lawsuits
Reports say Juul Labs has agreed to pay $1.7 billion to settle suits, which include a consolidation of cases from Northern California. Separately, Walgreens is said to sell off AmerisourceBergen stock to cover its purchase of Summit Health; Amgen is trying to buy Horizon Therapeutics; and more.
MedPAC Endorsing 2024 Medicare Payment Increases To Congress
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission has hammered out draft recommendations asking Congress to boost 2024 Medicare payment rates for hospitals and clinicians by at least 1% over what the law prescribes, and likely higher for safety-net facilities.
Appeals Court: Catholic Providers Can Deny Gender Care To Trans People
News outlets report on a unanimous ruling from a three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which supported an earlier North Dakota federal judge’s ruling against HHS rules barring sex discrimination. Thus the Catholic health providers can deny trans care on religious grounds.
CDC Gives Green Light To Omicron Vaccines For Some Infants
Children ages 6 months old through 5 years may now receive a third shot of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine as long as they already received their first two doses. In other vaccine news, a study of people in 21 countries found that vaxxed people look down on unvaxxed people, but not vice versa.
OSHA About To Set Permanent Health Worker Rules On Masks, Covid Vaccines
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration sent a final version of the health worker safety regulation to the White House budget office for review. The draft version has already sparked controversy in the medical community.
Masks Again Recommended By Officials In NYC, Other Major Cities
With the “tripledemic” of covid, flu, and RSV filling up hospitals and medical offices, health authorities in New York City, Los Angeles, and elsewhere are urging people to again break out the face coverings.
