Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Bill Related To Accelerated Approvals Reportedly Tweaked To Please Drugmakers
Stat reports on how some provisions in a bill designed to make it easier to withdraw drugs previously approved under accelerated timelines were pulled after drugmaker opposition. Also in the news: Truepill, Eli Lilly, Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, sickle cell drugs, and more.
Viewpoints: Strep Is The Newest Anxiety For Parents; Misinformation Has Brought Back Measles
Editorial writers delve into these public health concerns.
To Beat Shortages, Health Care Systems Turning To Retired Staff
Modern Healthcare covers efforts to recruit retired clinicians to deal with Delaware staffing shortages. Other news includes overstretched workers in a children’s hospital, plaudits for a Maine rural hospital, analysis of mental health 911 calls in California, and more.
Once-Skeptical Doctors Gain Confidence In Alzheimer’s Blood Tests
“They are simpler than a PET scan, they are simpler than a spinal tap,” says Harvard Medical School neurologist Reisa Sperling, who was unsure about the tests a few years ago but now is convinced they are almost ready for widespread use, Bloomberg reported. Other public health news is on mpox, obesity, mental health, and more.
Mass. High Court Rules Against Allowing Physician-Assisted Deaths
News outlets report on legal moves against doctors being allowed to prescribe lethal doses of medication to terminal patients in Massachusetts. The procedure isn’t protected by the state constitution, the state’s highest court ruled, and could lead to a manslaughter prosecution.
California Considers Decriminalizing ‘Magic’ Mushrooms, Other Psychedelics
A bill introduced Monday could lead to the decriminalization of certain psychedelics in California, a move that supporters say could lead to treatment options for substance abuse disorders and some mental health issues. Also: anxiety and medical weed, a spike in fentanyl use and more.
Gun Injuries, Deaths Among Kids Rose Precipitously During Pandemic
News outlets report on investigations into gun violence during the pandemic: data show that while the number of children who were killed rose sharply in 2020, the number injured and killed by guns also did. The majority of homicides were among Black children.
FDA Panel Will Meet In January To Discuss Modifying Covid Vaccines
The committee will consider “whether and how the composition of currently available primary vaccines should be modified” and whether booster shot composition and schedules should be adjusted to attack virus strains, the FDA said in a news release.
Worries Rise Over New Covid Variants Spurred By China’s Outbreak
Covid’s impact on the Chinese economy, which will influence the rest of the world, is also in the spotlight. And Reuters focuses on data concerns over the low number of deaths officially reported in the country.
Some Pharmacies Are Limiting Sales Of Children’s Meds As ‘Tripledemic’ Rages
CNN reports that CVS is restricting both in-person and online purchases to two children’s pain relief products, while Walgreens has limited its online purchases to six fever reducers per transaction; it doesn’t have an in-store limit.
Report Cites Struggles Hindering Fatigued FDA Tobacco Regulators
An independent review by a panel of experts finds that the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products is “overwhelmed and reactive,” in particular around outside pressure and lawsuits from tobacco companies and public health groups related to vaping.
Omnibus Deal Delays Some Medicare Pay Cuts, Moves Up Medicaid Cutoffs
As congressional lawmakers rush to avert a federal government shutdown, negotiators released a $1.7 trillion deal Tuesday morning that includes major health policy measures related to Medicare, Medicaid, veteran health, pandemic funding, the FDA, and more.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Paid Sick Time For Parents Can Stop The Tripledemic
Editorial writers tackle these public health issues.
A Defendant’s Medical Safety Shouldn’t Factor Into Their Bail, NH Court Rules
In other state health news: Avon Products has been hit with a $40 million damages bill in a California lawsuit targeting talc; Missouri churches are acting as child nutrition providers; the potential end of the mpox outbreak in Nevada; and more.
Alaska Misusing Institutionalized Mental Health Care For Kids: DOJ
The Anchorage Daily News covers a “major” Department of Justice investigation into care for children with mental health issues in Alaska, which found kids are “forced” into unnecessary care. Online pharmacy Truepill, ADHD in women, cyberbullying of teens, and more are also in the news.
Common Diet Supplements Useless For Lowering Cholesterol: Study
Six commonly used supplements, like fish oil or garlic pills, marketed for improving heart health did not lower cholesterol, compared with medication or placebo in a study. Potential heavy metal contaminants in dark chocolate and a ban on gas stoves are among other news.
Talk To Your Kids About Fentanyl Dangers, Says Ad Council Campaign
The new Ad Council and Meta Platforms effort aims to spread awareness of fentanyl dangers by having parents talk to their children. Meanwhile, reports say Minnesota and Maine are trying to cope with opioid treatment capacity shortages.
Massachusetts Hospitals Grapple With Serious Financial Woes
A Boston Globe report says many local hospitals, which had been hoping 2022 would mark a financial turnaround, are seeing their worst fiscal performance ever. Modern Healthcare says Mass General Brigham is looking at cost cuts after a financial loss of over $2 billion.
