Latest KFF Health News Stories
FDA Said To Plan Expanding Clinical Trials Of Pig Organ Transplants
Reports say the Food and Drug Administration is planning to expand efforts to transplant pig organs into humans. A treatment from Celldex Therapeutics to tackle chronic hives, questions about fish oil medications said to tackle heart attacks, and other matters are also in the news.
Your Booster Shot This Fall Will Target Omicron Variants
The Washington Post and AP report on plans for tailoring future covid shots to better combat the highly infectious omicron variant, and its worrying new subvariants BA.4 and BA.5. Reports also say that Pfizer is planning on testing universal covid shots offering “durable variant protection” later in the year.
Senate Democrats Try Again With Plan To Let Medicare Negotiate Drug Prices
The proposal builds on a plan negotiated by moderate Democrats in November, which would have required the Department of Health and Human Services to negotiate prices within certain limits for up to 20 of the highest-cost drugs — plus insulin — in the Part B outpatient program and the Part D drug program, Roll Call reported.
Supreme Court Upholds NY Vaccine Mandate For Health Care Workers
The covid vaccine requirement in New York was contested over a lack of a religious exemption. The National Guard, Massachusetts state police and Pittsburgh police are also in the news on vaccine mandates.
Will States Try To Ban Women From Traveling At All To Abortion-Rights States?
In a post-Roe future, could women living in an anti-abortion state like South Dakota be stopped from crossing borders to places like California or New York that allow abortion? Their governor anticipates such a debate, as some activists push state lawmakers to enact bans — though the constitutionality of such a move may have a key Supreme Court skeptic. News outlets report on other coming consequences and battles around looming abortion laws.
Protections For Reproductive Health Data Begin To Click In
Planned Parenthood’s website had contained marketing trackers, but the organization will remove them over concerns that users’ health data could be compromised. Period tracking app Flo is also preparing an anonymous mode to better cover user privacy. The Health and Human Services Department separately clarified how HIPAA should and shouldn’t play into patient data disclosures to law enforcement.
Connecticut Abortion Law Goes Into Effect; New York Mulls Constitutional Amendment
Connecticut’s new law aims to protect abortion doctors and patients from other state’s bans. Meanwhile, private companies wrestle with the thorny issue for their employees.
Judge To Block Florida’s 15-Week Abortion Ban; Kentucky Trigger Law Put On Hold
State laws restricting abortion access continue to play out in the courts. And clinics and abortion providers are left to muddle their way through the uncertainty.
Biden Supports Filibuster Carve-Out To Codify Abortion Rights
In a position shift, President Joe Biden endorsed Thursday an exception to Senate filibuster rules that would allow the chamber to pass abortion protections into federal law. Democrats would have to pick up additional seats in the midterm election in order to make such a change, as Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona oppose the move.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations. Note to readers: KHN’s First Edition will not be published Monday, July 4. Look for it again in your inbox Tuesday.
Editorial writers delve into abortion rights.
Opinion writers examine covid and other public health topics.
Syphilis In St. Louis Is Surging To Record Levels
The sharp rise in case numbers over levels seen in recent years has prompted St. Louis health officials to push for tests during pregnancy to prevent congenital cases. In other news, California has a law stopping high schools from opening earlier than 8:30 a.m., and middle schools no earlier than 8 a.m.
Over 150 Rafters, Campers Caught Norovirus In Grand Canyon
The infections happened in April and May, according to the National Park Service, with the size of the caseload described as “rare.” A universal flu vaccine trial by the NIH, the aging and increasing diversity of the U.S. population, sleep duration links to heart health and more are also in the news.
Research Roundup: Covid; Cancer; Sepsis
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Starting July 1, Insurers, Employers Must Show What They Pay For Care
Stat covers the latest push for transparency on health care pricing. Meanwhile, a study reported in USA Today reveals more than half of U.S. hospitals are failing to meet either of the two main requirements of the Hospital Price Transparency law aimed at consumer-friendly pricing.
US Buys 105 Million More Doses Of Pfizer’s Covid Shot For Fall
Meanwhile, at a congressional subcommittee, Florida’s surgeon general said blocking Florida health providers from placing orders for shots for young kids could have led to delays in vaccine access. And Sen. Ted Cruz, a Republican, expressed anger over Sesame Street’s Elmo getting a shot.
Pandemic Pushed Maternal Deaths Up 33%: End Of Roe May Make It Worse
Some states banning abortion already have high mortality rates. Vox notes Black women are expected to be hit worse.
Bipartisan Resistance Kills VA Reform Plan
The Washington Post and the AP note that a “sweeping” update to the largest health care system has been long-sought, but bipartisan efforts will now lead to a dismantling of the commission appointed to carry out downsizing. Mental health care access and substance abuse in the military are also reported.
FDA Says Abortion Pill Use Limited To 10 Weeks. Others Say Longer
The World Health Organization now says self-managed medication abortions can happen up to 12 weeks, and The Atlantic reports activists around the world say it can be used much later than that. Mobile abortion clinics, access to medication abortion in Florida, and more is also in the news.
