Latest KFF Health News Stories
Fall Of Roe V. Wade Could Adversely Impact OB-GYN Training
After the Supreme Court ruled to curtail abortion rights, questions have been raised about the impact on training of OB-GYN residents, who, USA Today reports, may in the future be in the position of having to end a pregnancy to save someone’s life — potentially putting them in legal crosshairs.
Worries That Anti-Abortion Centers Will Grow In Post-Roe Times
Media outlets report on the potential growth of anti-abortion centers across the country, with practices such as promising abortion information and pregnancy testing but actually being designed to steer women into remaining pregnant. Potential use of digital surveillance and social media is also reported.
Becerra, Walsh Take Up Contraception Coverage Complaints With Insurers
Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and Labor Secretary Marty Walsh met with major health insurance executives over consumer complaints related to contraceptives coverage. Under the Affordable Care Act, contraceptives should be free but insurers and payer groups are denying coverage in some instances. Meanwhile, demand is rising for the so-called morning after pill.
‘This Is An Emergency’: Democrats Press Biden To Protect Abortion
Members of the president’s party are frustrated by his seeming lack of action. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch covers strong words from Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.), who said the situation warranted that the Biden administration “declare the attack on abortion rights a public health emergency.”
Here And There, Some Abortion Protections Begin To Crystallize
In California, the State Assembly voted to amend Article 1 of the California Constitution to implicitly protect reproductive freedoms, and residents can vote on the change in November. In New Mexico, the Democratic governor signed an order prohibiting cooperation with states seeking to interfere with abortion access. In Maryland, donations poured into abortion-assisting groups. And in Massachusetts, the governor touted the state’s strong pro-choice position as attractive to employers.
Abortion Trigger Law Challenges Play Out In Courts With Mixed Results
In South Carolina, a court lifted a hold on a restrictive abortion law while other state measures are also under legal dispute.
‘It’s All About The States’: Abortion Battlegrounds Take Shape
State capitols and courtrooms are the new frontlines of the abortion fight after last week’s Supreme Court decision reshaped the landscape. Meanwhile, women struggle to figure out where to obtain services.
Opinion writers examine these abortion issues.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Parents Struggle To Vaccinate Young Kids; Improving Sexual Health Can Prevent Monkeypox
Editorial writers delve into these public health topics.
Opinion writers examine the effects of overturning Roe.
UN Says Cannabis Use Up In US, Globally, From Legalization, Pandemic
A U.N. report says that covid lockdowns and expanding legalization have driven cannabis use up, and that THC strength is rising, too. In other news, a boil water alert in Mississippi, a recall of Daily Harvest products after claims of sickness, and the rise in captioning for people with hearing loss.
Supreme Court Nixes Hospitals’ Attempt To Change DSH Payouts
Modern Healthcare reports on a legal decision that went in favor of the Health and Human Services Department, denying a safety-net hospital push to change Medicare payout calculations for disproportionate share hospital payments, known at DSH. Past “medical tragedies,” Cue Health’s covid profits, cataract surgery fees, and more are also in the news.
Worries Rise That Monkeypox Has Been Evolving Fast
Media outlets report on concerns in the scientific community that monkeypox has been evolving faster than may have been expected and is now more infectious. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization held back from calling the outbreak a global health emergency, even though reports note it’s spreading.
Pfizer Says Omicron Shot Better Against Variant Than First Jabs
Pfizer has developed a new version of its covid vaccines designed to combat omicron, and now says its results show a better antibody response against the variant than earlier Pfizer shots. Other research shows a fourth Pfizer dose is effective at preventing severe outcomes in nursing homes.
Court Allows Juul To Stay On Shelves — For Now
Following last week’s Food and Drug Administration ban of the company’s electronic cigarettes, Juul sued the FDA. A federal appeals court on Friday allowed sales to continue temporarily.
Hypocritical Or Consistent? Court Allows State Limits On Abortion But Not Guns
Last week’s two controversial decisions ignite legal debate over the direction of the conservative-majority court and their “originalism” arguments. In related news, gun violence experts weigh in on the new federal safety measures President Joe Biden signed into law Saturday.
‘Big Step Backwards’: Many World Leaders Condemn Abortion Decision
“Horrific” and “appalling” were among some of the descriptions global leaders used to describe the U.S. Supreme Court’s reversal of decades of abortion rights. Combined with recent increases in gun violence, some of those also see America’s ability to lead on the world stage as again backsliding.
HIPAA Won’t Shield Reproductive Data; Digital Health Trail Worries
News outlets examine how medical records and online data, including women leaving trace evidence of their reproductive health on websites and in apps, may be impacted by the Supreme Court’s controversial decision on abortion. Separately, CNN notes which U.S. companies will cover some abortion costs.
IVF Patients, Doctors Make Contingency Plans For Frozen Embryos
“There is a race to see who can be the most extreme on abortion restrictions, and I can tell you who the losers of that are going to be: fertility patients and women who might need contraception,” said Sean Tipton of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine..
