Latest KFF Health News Stories
Opioid Deaths Likely To Hit Record In 2022 In Cook County, Illinois
The Chicago Tribune covers the heavy toll of the opioid crisis in Cook County. The Boston Globe, meanwhile, talks about making opioid addiction treatment more accessible in Rhode Island, where fatal drug overdoses are “historically high.” Also: gun laws, mental health clinicians, and more.
NYC Nursing Strike Ends; ‘Harmful Events’ Hit 25% Of Hospital Patients
The strike, which affected around 7,000 nurses at two of New York City’s largest hospitals is over after three days. Separately, NBC News covers how nearly 1 in 4 hospitalized patients experience harm. Other industry news includes a donation to Harvard Medical School, AI in health, and more.
Scientists Find Long Covid’s Symptoms May Fade Inside A Year
News outlets cover developments in research into long covid, including a classification of four “major” types of the illness, and how for mild infections the effects may subside within a year. Separately, scientists found that listening to music during lockdowns lowered people’s stress.
Carcinogen Found In Beauty Products Popular With Black Americans
A new study found elevated levels of formaldehyde in items like skin lotions and hair gels, many of which are aimed at Black markets. Also in the news: misgendering trans people after death, cardiac arrest in young athletes, rhabdomyolysis, and prolonged sitting.
HHS Offers Timelines For First Medicare Drug Price Negotiations
CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure says that the list of the 10 drugs that Medicare will put through negotiations with drugmakers will be published by Sept. 1. The public will also have an opportunity to weigh in along the way.
Viewpoints: Congress Should Protect Abortion Providers; Changes Needed In Pandemic Readiness Plan
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
As Gas Stove Chatter Roils Lawmakers, Biden Administration Clarifies
“To be clear, I am not looking to ban gas stoves and the [U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission] has no proceeding to do so,” Chairman Alexander Hoehn-Saric told the Wall Street Journal. Also in the news: First Lady Jill Biden’s Mohs surgery; Obamacare’s popularity in South Florida; CAR T-cell therapy in doctors’ offices; and more.
Research Roundup: Covid; Mpox; Alzheimer’s; Liver Disease
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Officials Frustrated That More In Nursing Homes Aren’t Vaccinated
Underscoring the pandemic’s complexity, Politico reports that state and federal health officials are frustrated that thousands of seniors ended up in hospitals since the holidays, even as NBC News covers words from an FDA adviser questioning whether younger, healthier people need another covid booster.
White House Renews Covid Public Health Emergency Again
The extension lasts for another 90 days. In related covid news on the XBB.1.5 variant: why it doesn’t get a Greek letter; what you should know about its spread; and more.
Alabama Could Prosecute Patients For Taking Abortion Pills, Attorney General Says
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall says that a state chemical endangerment law could be used to charge people who have a medication abortion. Other state abortion news comes from Nebraska, Montana, New Hampshire, Florida, and elsewhere.
House Passes First Anti-Abortion Bills Of New Term
The two measures, approved largely along party lines, lay out new penalties for doctors that don’t provide medical care for an infant born alive after an abortion attempt and condemn violence against anti-abortion groups. Neither measure is expected to pass the Senate, but illustrate House Republicans’ roadmap for the new term.
First Edition: January 12, 2023
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Perspectives: Changes Needed In Drug Production; OTC Mifeprex Still Has Too Many Regulations
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Illinois Lawmakers Ban Manufacture, Sale Of Assault Weapons
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill targeting the sale and manufacture of high-power assault weapons, .50 caliber rifles and ammunition, plus large-capacity magazines. Also: health care layoffs in California, a farmers’ mental health helpline in Texas, and more.
Viewpoints: Advocates Make Doctor Visits Less Stressful For Patients; It’s Time To Revamp The FDA
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
Tamiflu Shortage Due To Inadequate Ordering; Antibiotic Use Linked To IBD
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Big Health Insurers Plan Legal Battle Over Biden Medicare Advantage Audits
Stat reports that at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, Humana, Centene, and CVS Health-Aetna executives explained concerns over upcoming final rules on audits, also known as risk adjustment data validation. Meanwhile, the New York nurses strike entered a second day, among other news.
Building On Covid Tracking Successes, UK Turns Viral Surveillance To Flu, RSV
Reuters and Stat report on a five-year gene sequencing initiative aimed at seasonal viruses that British scientists will begin this year. Among the goals are tracking variants and transmission routes, and designing techniques and tools ahead of the next pandemic. Other research news is on antibiotics, air pollution, and covid vaccines.
After More Infant Deaths, Fisher-Price Recalls Rock ‘n Play Sleepers, Again
Since the original recall in April 2019, about 70 additional deaths have been reported, bringing the total to 100. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, eight of those fatalities happened after the first recall. Additional public health news covers opioid overdoses, gas stoves, social media’s impact on teen mental health, and more.
