Latest KFF Health News Stories
Federal Project Tackles Health Impacts Of Extreme Heat In Nevada, Elsewhere
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration efforts aims to come up with ways to mitigate heat dangers. Also in the news, the departure of a Florida official overseeing the state’s Medicaid program, a second trial of Sterigenics, Ohio’s measles outbreak, and more.
Elizabeth Holmes May Be Headed To A Minimum-Security Prison Camp
A district judge has proposed that the Theranos founder — who was sentenced last week to more than 11 years in prison after being found guilty of defrauding investors of hundreds of millions of dollars — should serve her time at the Federal Prison Camp in Bryan, Texas. However, the U.S. Bureau of Prisons will make the final decision.
Nursing Home, Several Hospitals Cited For Major Health, Safety Violations
In Iowa, one hospital was cited after an intruder made his way into a neonatal ICU, where he changed a baby’s diaper and even fed it before he was confronted by staff and fled. And a nursing home in Wisconsin is under fire after a nurse amputated a patient’s foot without following procedure.
Lawmakers Push Google To Block Deceptive Abortion-Related Ads
Sen. Mark Warner and Rep. Elissa Slotkin, both Democrats, wrote a letter to the CEO of Alphabet/Google urging him to ensure users get accurate information when searching for abortion services. Separately, 10 state attorneys general are pushing Apple to better protect its users’ reproductive health data and location information.
Experts Worry Thanksgiving Could Spur A Surge Of Flu, RSV, Covid
Call it a “tripledemic” or a trifecta of illnesses — experts are concerned that a surge of these illnesses all at once could hit after people meet for thanksgiving. The Washington Post warns that existing surges in child respiratory illnesses are already stressing hospitals.
15 States Fight White House Plan To Lift Border Health Expulsion Order
The Republican-led states asked a federal judge to delay another court’s order that would allow the Biden administration to move ahead with plans to end Title 42, a Trump-era rule that restricts asylum-seekers based on public health concerns.
New FDA-Approved Hemophilia Gene Therapy Is World’s Priciest Medicine
Drugmaker CSL Bering says the $3.5 million price tag for its Hemgenix treatment is justified because it would ultimately reduce long-term health care costs associated with treating patients living with hemophilia B.
MPOX: The Incoming, WHO-Approved Name For Monkeypox
The goal is destigmatizing the monkeypox virus, Politico notes. In related news, Stat reports on fresh analysis from U.K. health officials that shows that even one dose of the monkeypox vaccine provides strong protection against the virus.
For Pfizer And Merck, Grips On Covid Antiviral Market May Be Loosening
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
White House Promotes New Covid Boosters As Winter Wave Looms
As the White House ramps up effort to promote omicron-specific booster shots, Dr. Anthony Fauci stressed that they are now known to offer better protection. The Department of Health and Human Services has also offered clinics $350 million for booster efforts in underserved communities.
CDC Data: Updated Boosters Protect Better Against Symptomatic Covid
The first data from real-world use, not lab testing, shows that bivalent shots tailored for the omicron variant do a better job than the original boosters. But uptake remains low.
ACA Enrollment Up 17% Over Last Year And Could Break Records, HHS Reports
Almost 3.4 million Americans have signed up so far for a 2023 healthcare.gov marketplace plan. And with new enrollees up 40% from this time last year, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra told Axios that he anticipates a record-breaking year.
Health Misinformation Worries Ramp Up Amid Social Media Chaos
White House covid czar Ashish Jha says social media owners should take responsibility for fighting false information on their platforms, and he urged the public to check sources. Separately, Missouri’s attorney general will depose Dr. Anthony Fauci on Biden administration work with social media companies to suppress misinformation.
‘I Gave It All I Got,’ Fauci Says At Last Briefing Of 54-Year Service
Dr. Anthony Fauci is set to step down after 38 years as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. During his final White House briefing appearance he lamented that politics have divided people on covid vaccines and said he would testify at hearings planned by House Republicans when they take control next term.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations. Note to readers: KHN’s First Edition is off for the rest of the week. Check for it next in your inbox on Nov. 28. Happy Thanksgiving!
Viewpoints: How To Tackle Physician Burnout; Why Aren’t We Taking Steps To Control The Tripledemic?
Editorial writers tackle physician burnout, the tripledemic, maternal health and more.
Needle-Vending Machine Launched In Southern Nevada
The goal of the free kits, the Las Vegas Review-Journal says, is to reduce the risk of HIV and hepatitis C. The Wall Street Journal also reports on efforts to dispense Narcan via vending machines to help combat the opioid overdose crisis.
LGBTQ+ Advocates Hail Colorado Police For Using Shooting Victims’ Pronouns
In other news on the shooting, The 19th reports on the impact of the event on the LGBTQ+ community. The Wall Street Journal notes the suspect had previously made violent threats. Also, House Democrats have called on the DOJ to act on anti-trans violent threats against children’s hospitals.
Climate Change Means Fungal Infections Will Be More Common
Areas where fungal infections typically occur are expanding as the climate changes. Also in the news, screening women for heart disease, updated lung cancer screening deadlines, seasonal depression, children’s anxiety, and more.
Doubt Cast On Northwest Bio’s Brain Cancer Vaccine Trial
Stat raises questions about the results of a clinical trial of Northwest Biotherapeutics’ brain cancer vaccine. Also, Merck’s purchase of Imago; how Hall-of-Famer Brett Favre helped an experimental drugmaker get funds; and more.
