Latest KFF Health News Stories
Florida Supreme Court Upholds State’s 15-Week Abortion Ban
In the legal to-and-fro battle concerning Florida’s abortion ban, the state Supreme Court just declined requests from seven abortion clinics and a doctor to halt the ban. Meanwhile in New York, the state Assembly and Senate voted to codify abortion rights in the state constitution.
Mass Shootings Boost Calls For Federal Gun Safety Measures
California Gov. Gavin Newsom “angrily” denounced Republican opposition to such changes. As news outlets release more data on the suspects, research show such shootings can be contagious.
Millions Likely To Lose Medicaid When ‘Continuous Coverage’ Ends
HHS estimates that 6.8 million who qualify for Medicaid may soon lose coverage because of paperwork hurdles or a lack of awareness about the end of a pandemic-era policy on March 31 that will lead states to require re-enrollment. The FCC is allowing states and managed care plans to text beneficiaries in order to spread the word.
Perspectives: Leqembi Not All It’s Cracked Up To Be; What Is Preventing Naloxone From Being OTC?
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
New Drug Cocktail For Cystic Fibrosis Being Tested; Action Needed To Tackle Antibiotic Shortages
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Republicans Get More Explicit About Cuts They’re Eyeing For Medicare
As health programs remain in the negotiation mix of the debt ceiling debate, a group of Republican lawmakers are also calling for greater changes to entitlement programs like Medicare and Social Security.
FDA Moves To Reduce Lead In Food Manufactured For Babies And Toddlers
The FDA estimates that its proposed limits could result in a 24% to 27% reduction in lead exposure for children 2 and under — a key developmental period when lead can contribute to learning disabilities, lowered IQ, and behavioral problems.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Here’s The One Thing That All Shootings Have In Common, And It’s Pretty Simple
Editorial writers tackle gun violence, covid, suicide, and other public health topics.
Rape Kit Training Bill Passed In West Virginia Senate
To lower victims’ burdens, the new bill would require all hospitals in the state with an emergency room to always have trained staff available to conduct forensic rape kit evaluations. Meanwhile, in Connecticut, a shortage of health care workers lends legal urgency to recruitment efforts.
Opioid Use Disorder Costs Hospitals $95 Billion A Year
Axios reports that the cost of treating opioid misuse amounts to about 8% of all hospital expenditures, according to data from Premier Inc. AI Applied Sciences. In Kentucky, the governor promoted a program to help fight the drug epidemic. Meanwhile, USA Today covers the rise of xylazine in the illicit drug supply.
Even Brief Periods Of Vigorous Activity Can Help Cognition Scores
News outlets cover research that highlights how physical inactivity is linked to a slight decline in memory and thinking activities, and that even six to nine minutes of movement can help. Also: weight loss, the body positivity movement, breast density, heavy metals in dark chocolate, and more.
Nursing Home Staff Levels At Lowest In Nearly 30 Years
A report from the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living shows that there are 210,000 fewer workers than before the pandemic — the lowest level since 1994. Dollar General, CVS Health executives, Elevance Health, and more are also in the news.
Florida Supreme Court Will Decide If 15-Week Abortion Ban Is Constitutional
The Florida Supreme Court agreed to hear a lawsuit filed against the state’s new law. The 15-week restriction will remain in place while the legal challenges play out.
Newsom Demands Stricter Federal Gun Laws, But Legislative Reality Is Bleak
The gun used in Saturday’s Monterey Park shooting — CNN reported that it was a Cobray M11 9mm semi-automatic weapon compatible with 30-round magazines — was likely illegal to possess in California. However, the shooter could have legally obtained it in another state. As gun rights advocates point out, gun control only truly works if every state does it.
Trauma Of Gun Violence Devastates Another Community
As residents in California’s Half Moon Bay cope with the immediate aftermath of a shooting that killed seven people, other communities that are still paying the mental health toll of similar tragedies encourage seeking help from trained counselors.
Second Mass Shooting In California: 7 Dead In Half Moon Bay
A 67-year-old resident of Half Moon Bay, a city outside San Francisco, is suspected in the shootings and is in custody. The Wall Street Journal reports it was a targeted attack, with the gunman planning to kill specific people. California is still reeling from a mass shooting Saturday in Monterey Park, near Los Angeles.
Once-A-Year Covid Shot Plan In The Works By FDA
Like the flu shot, the FDA outlined a proposal Thursday that would encourage Americans to get an annual covid vaccine that’s tailored to that year’s expected dominant strains. The plan was released ahead of a vaccine advisory committee meeting at which tweaks to covid protocols will be discussed.
Amazon Wants To Sell You New Things On Subscription: Prescription Drugs
The retail giant is launching the medication delivery service RxPass, a $5-a-month service for Amazon Prime members. It’s aimed at consumers with common conditions. Advertising for “orphan drugs,” transplant lists for Black kidney failure patients, and more are also in the news.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
