Latest KFF Health News Stories
Uber Settles Lawsuit On Overcharging Disabled Passengers
Allegations the rideshare company had violated the Americans with Disabilities Act led to a federal lawsuit and the $2.2 million settlement, as well as waivers for wait time fees for disabled passengers. Meanwhile, media outlets report on extreme heat warnings and the health risks linked to heat.
Biden Might Declare A National Climate Emergency
The declaration could empower the administration to tackle some of its goals of reducing carbon emissions and fostering cleaner energy, The Washington Post reported. The scope and timing of an announcement was not clear.
CDC Turning Over Covid Case-Counting To Cruise Line Operators
Cruise lines will continue to report coronavirus cases to the agency, but they now have adequate tools to do it themselves, the CDC says. Meanwhile, even though covid cases are climbing across the U.S., some health experts are hesitant to “cry wolf.”
Years Of Neglect Hinder Health Clinics On Front Lines Of Monkeypox Battle
Decades of underfunding have left sexual health clinics across the U.S. “stretched to capacity” and ill-equipped to handle yet another epidemic, says David Harvey, executive director of the National Coalition of STD Directors.
Harris Warns Of Political Efforts That Will Drag Women’s Health ‘Backwards’
Speaking to the NAACP National Convention, Vice President Kamala Harris said “extremist so-called leaders” are targeting fundamental civil rights by targeting abortion and voting.
Abortion Exception To Save Mother’s Life Rejected By Idaho Republicans
At the Idaho Republican convention, delegates voted against adding language to its party platform that would carve out an abortion exception in cases where the mother’s life is at risk. News on court and legislative developments is also reported from Florida, West Virginia, Indiana, and other states.
Overseas Nonprofits Shipping More Abortion Pills To US
While U.S. telehealth clinics also report an uptick in demand, those practices are limited in states with restrictions on medicated abortion. But foreign-based nonprofits are serving some those places amidst a complicated legal landscape, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Overturning Roe Puts Doctors In Moral Dilemma; Ending Abortion Is Deadly For Women
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health issues.
‘Marburg Can Easily Get Out Of Hand’: Ebola-Like Virus Spreads In West Africa
Two people in Ghana have died from the hemorrhagic fever. The first case of the virus in the region was detected last year in Guinea, with no further cases identified, Reuters reported. Other news is from the U.K., India, Japan, and the African Union.
Scarcity Of Covid Shots For Young Kids In Florida Blamed On DeSantis
People are complaining it’s hard to find vaccines for children under 5 in Florida, and anecdotally the governor is blamed, the Washington Post says. Meanwhile, although the giant convention Comic-Con is returning to San Diego for the first time since covid began, masks are required.
Medicare Rule Change Could Lift Outpatient Provider Payments By $6.2B
Modern Healthcare reports on the complexities of a proposed Medicare reimbursements rule change that could take effect next year, increasing payments to outpatient providers. Meanwhile, UnitedHealthcare is set to offer $0 insulin and epipens under certain limited conditions.
Melanoma Kills Nearly Twice The Number Of Men Than Women: Study
Researchers in London found that male skin cancer deaths increased by 219% since 1973, compared to 76% for women in the same period. Meanwhile, a separate study found that Black and Latino cancer patients experienced more delays in care than white patients. Other research covers covid, menstruation, Alzheimer’s, and more.
988 Suicide Hotline Rolls Out; Fruity Snacks Could Help Mental Health
Media outlets cover a number of mental health issues, including explaining how the new 988 hotline system works. Separately, experts express different views on whether a ban on Juul nicotine products will actually impact the epidemic of younger people vaping — especially with other products on sale.
Biden Shifts Gears, Pushes Democrats To Pass Smaller Health Care Bill
Sen. Joe Manchin (D.-W.Va.) has torpedoed the president’s once-vast economic package, but President Joe Biden says even a smaller package that focuses on health care costs would provide financial relief to families. Also in the news: the abortion fight on Capitol Hill, the Keep Kids Fed Act, and Anthony Fauci’s looming retirement.
White House Says Covid Still Evolving, Older People Should Stay Boosted
The Biden administration’s covid coordinator, Ashish Jha, warned that covid is still evolving and that we’re still in the middle of the pandemic. Jha also stressed the importance of everyone — including older people — keeping up to date with booster shots to resist newer, more infectious variants.
LGBTQ+ Rights Protections Temporarily Blocked By Federal Judge
News outlets report on the decision by U.S. District Judge Charles Atchley Jr. in a case made by 20 state attorneys general. The AGs argued federal protections for LGBTQ+ rights infringed on their rights to enact laws, including those that target LGBTQ+ rights, and Atchley agreed.
Doctor Asks Indiana AG To Cease False Statements In Child Abortion Case
In the flashpoint case of a 10-year-old rape victim from Ohio who received an abortion in Indiana: The doctor’s lawyer is asking Indiana Republican Attorney General Todd Rokita to “cease and desist” with false statements alleging wrongdoing.
House-Passed Abortion Rights Bills Doomed In Senate
For the second time, the House passed a bill that would restore nationwide abortion rights. Another bill protecting women who cross state borders for care was also approved. But neither are expected to progress through a divided Senate.
CDC Says Demand For Monkeypox Vaccine Exceeding US Supply
U.S. health officials acknowledge that vaccine supplies are running short in places like California, New York and Washington, D.C. Another 100,000 doses will be delivered to states over the next few days.
