Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Perspectives: Congress Must Address The Drug Shortage Issue Quickly; The Pharmacists Are Not OK
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Missouri Set To Launch Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that “after years of Republican resistance,” Missouri will launch a statewide prescription drug monitoring program to tackle the opioid addiction crisis. Other health news is from North Carolina, Colorado, Maryland, South Dakota, Ohio and elsewhere.
Bad Seasonings: Your Spice Jars Are Likely Harboring Germs
A new study identifies a surprise culprit as the most contaminated spot in the kitchen: the spice drawer. Other news stories report on dry January, weight loss strategies, sleep, and more.
Nursing Homes’ Use Of Antipsychotic Drugs To Be Audited By CMS
The effort is targeting inappropriate prescriptions, where antipsychotic drugs are being abused to sedate patients. Inaccurate coding for schizophrenia will reportedly see nursing homes “negatively impacted.” Meanwhile, in St. Louis, nursing home workers strike over low-pay claims and bed bugs.
Maine Governor Signals Allowing Abortions Past 24 Weeks
The move would expand abortion access by loosening what the Bangor Daily News calls “Maine’s already liberal set of abortion laws.” Separately, New York City will offer free abortion pills at four city-run sexual health clinics as early as today, to boost abortion access in low-income communities.
Citing ‘Perverse Incentives,’ Harvard Medical School Exits U.S. News Ranking
News outlets report on the decision of the No. 1 ranked medical school for research, Harvard Medical School, to withdraw from the U.S. News rankings — a decision reportedly made in part because the rankings result in the creation of “perverse incentives for institutions to report misleading or inaccurate data.”
Rush To Return To ‘Normal’ May Have Outpaced Anti-Covid Air Safety Device
Bloomberg spotlights an invention that creates an “air shield” by clipping on to air vents — but flyers have returned back to the skies regardless of concerns over cabin air quality. Other pandemic news is on the dangers of dual RSV-covid infections, state actions, China, and more.
Medical Debt Fell During The Pandemic
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show medical debt hit fewer American families in 2021 than in 2019, due in part to relief measures enacted to soften the economic blow of covid. Separately, a survey finds that a record level of patients delayed health care over costs in 2022.
Moderna Says Its RSV Vaccine Effectively Protects Older Adults
Moderna announced that its experimental shot was nearly 84 percent effective at preventing respiratory syncytial virus symptoms in a large study of adults 60 years and older. The drugmaker plans to ask for FDA approval of the vaccine this year, while other pharmaceutical companies are also working on RSV vaccines.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Medically Complex Children Deserve Better Care; Some Ideas To Fix The Doctor Shortage
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health issues.
Brain Structure Shows Who Needs Higher Doses Of Anesthesia
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Experts: Climate Change Is Leading To More Malaria Infections
Floods in Pakistan, cyclones in Mozambique, and other climate change-influenced events have driven malaria infections up, reports say, as well as changing where mosquitoes flourish. Also in the news: Ebola Sudan and Marburg virus vaccines; children left behind by a push to treat HIV, and more.
Viewpoints: Gene Editing Could End Malaria, But Should It?; We Need To Revamp Breast Cancer Testing
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
Legal Spotlight Falls On Connecticut Nursing Home Provider
Athena Health Care Systems is one of the biggest long-term care providers in Connecticut, according to the CT Mirror, but “consistent complaints” about conditions in its homes have led to lawsuits and fines. Also: children’s care in Illinois and Arizona, and stories from Texas and Minnesota.
Medicaid Expansion Gains Momentum In Wyoming
It’s the only state in the Mountain West that has not yet expanded the nation’s public health insurance program for people who have low income. Also: Doulas in Michigan criticize the state’s new Medicaid policy; Medicare advisers warn of higher drug prices; and more.
Eating Just One Serving Of Fish Could Endanger Your Health, Study Suggests
The Hill reports that this study is the first to connect U.S. fish consumption to blood levels of “forever chemicals.” Also: alcohol-related liver disease, PTSD treatments, zombie fungus, and more.
Hospitals Strained By Endocarditis Cases Caused By Opioid Abuse
Stat reports that “rapidly accelerating” cases of endocarditis have happened since the pandemic began, reminding us it’s one of the lesser-known side effects of the opioid epidemic. “Tranq” found in San Diego, high fatal overdose rates in Rhode Island, and more are also in the news.
Study: Blood Test Helps Target Which Colon Cancer Patients Need Chemo
Media outlets report on how a system to detect tumor DNA in post-surgery colon cancer patients can help decide who would benefit from chemotherapy. In other news, the shortage of prescription ADHD medications is ongoing, and the implications of the FDA’s lifted rule on animal testing for drugs.
