Latest KFF Health News Stories
Different Takes: There Are Solutions To Treating Patients In Hospital Hallways
Editorial writers tackle hospital crowding, covid, and mental health.
Viewpoints: Indiana’s Abortion Ban Is Extreme; Disabled People Deserve Bodily Autonomy
Opinion writers examine abortion, medical debt, and ICU experiences.
Forever Chemicals’ Impact On Americans’ Health Will Cost Billions
The Hill reports on a study saying increases in medical bills and hits on worker productivity driven by exposure to forever chemicals will ultimately hurt the economy, costing about $5 billion to $60 billion. Other news outlets report on calls for more PFAS testing.
Homeless Shelters In Anchorage Are Out Of Room As Freezing Temps Loom
Anchorage Daily News says it’s the first time in decades that there is no walk-in, easy-access homeless shelter service in the city. Also: Details emerge in the surprising U.S. polio case, West Nile Virus in mosquitoes in New Hampshire, and more.
To Beat Alzheimer’s, Scientists Try New Ideas, Including Brain Mapping
Media outlets report on research into Alzheimer’s disease, including expanding fields of study and the potential for a diabetes drug to help protect against the illness. USA Today and The Atlantic cover developments in a scandal over key Alzheimer’s research into amyloid proteins.
Hospitals Expand Incentives To Keep Scarce Staff Happy
Medical facilities are broadening their perks to retain staff, including covering employee gas costs or opening day care centers. Another report says the 124-year-old St. Louis Nursing School is closing.
Experts: Monkeypox Is The Next Public Health Failure, After Covid
AP and The Hill cover worries the ever-expanding monkeypox outbreak could spread out of control, with federal-level infrastructure failings demonstrated during covid replicating themselves. Also: concerns that kids could spread monkeypox, changes in the monkeypox vaccine strategy, and more.
Many California Covid Cases Are Reinfections; BA.2.75 Is Spreading
State data show that 1 in 7 Californian cases in July were reinfections. Separately, 12 states are reporting cases of the newest omicron subvariant. To tackle omicron in the fall, the White House has now ordered 66 million doses of Moderna’s variant-specific booster.
Amid Infighting, Indiana Senate Clears Abortion Ban With Rape Exception
But a patient seeking an abortion for rape or incest, which was also exempted, would have to sign a notarized affidavit attesting to the attack. The bill now heads to the Republican-controlled House.
Spending Bill Would Crack Open Long-Shut Door On Medicare Drug Talks
Democrats have aimed for decades to allow Medicare to directly negotiate prices with pharmaceutical companies. But the legislation that would allow that for a small number of drugs is still not a done deal: Republicans spotlight Sen. Krysten Sinema, a Democrat from Arizona, in hopes she won’t support the package.
Biden Tested Positive For Second Day With Rebound Covid Case
President Joe Biden is feeling well, his doctor reports, while in isolation as he continues to test positive for covid. The viral rebound spotlights a rare occurrence that happens for some patients who take Paxlovid.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health issues.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on the Ohio abortion-rape case, obesity, the history of the Tuskegee syphilis story, and more.
In Florida, A Warning To Disregard Biden’s LGBTQ+ Student Protections
Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. told schools that following President Joe Biden’s guidance on LGBTQ+ student protections could place them in violation of state laws. Under these laws, one school district has already enacted mandatory parental notification of kids’ transgender moves.
Spotlight Falls On HIV Prevention Drugs, With Some Criticism Of Makers
Stat reports on criticisms that ViiV’s generic HIV-preventing drug will not be available for up to four years. Cheap local copies of GSK’s anti-HIV drug could be available sooner. ADHD drugs and Rite Aid, a data breach at OneTouchPoint, soaring profits at Pfizer, and more are also in industry news.
Nearly Every Protein’s Shape Predicted By AI System
The New York Times reports on a startling development from artificial intelligence lab DeepMind which could impact the future of drug research and development. A potential new candidemia treatment, discoveries on how covid’s spike proteins harm heart cells, and more are also reported.
Unusual Parechovirus Cluster In Infants; Progress On Child Hepatitis
23 babies in Tennessee were found with the potentially serious virus in a short period of the spring, with experts noting the numbers are “not normal” and concerning. Separately, some researchers wonder if the child hepatitis outbreak is an outbreak at all. Other public health news is also reported.
Veterans Denounce Republicans Who Blocked Senate Burn Pits Bill
After legislation that would expand health care for U.S. military veterans exposed to toxins during their service failed to pass a procedural vote when 25 Republicans reversed their position from a June vote. Veterans’ groups, and one of their high-profile advocates Jon Stewart, blasted the development.
Hopes For Seniors’ Health Cost Reduction Seen In Spending Deal
AP reports on cautious optimism raised by moves by Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin to help the budget bill pass. Meanwhile, the Washington Post notes drug companies’ profits are under unusual threat due to the deal. Democrats also plan to try to add insulin price protections in.
