Latest KFF Health News Stories
Opinion writers examine abortion and other public health topics.
Research Roundup: Pseudomonas; Epilepsy; Antibiotics; Cancer; Covid
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Supply Chain Crunch Limits Contrast Dyes For US Medical Imaging
Covid lockdowns in China have impacted the supply of contrast media, forcing some U.S. doctors to prioritize their patient lists as stores of the chemicals begin to dry up. Also in China, reports say some of the first local patients infected with covid are still experiencing symptoms.
ACA Tax Credits Expiry Would Mean Many Floridians Risk Being Uninsured
Premium tax credits were enlarged and made available to more people as part of the American Rescue Plan Act, but now worries are rising that hundreds of thousands of Florida residents, plus more in Texas and Georgia, risk becoming uninsured if Congress lets the credits expire.
Study Links Steroids, NSAIDs To Prolonged Back Pain
Persistent use of these medications to treat back pain may actually result in prolonged symptoms, according to a new study. Meanwhile, a separate study links inflammation to relief of chronic pain at a cellular level, instead of causing it as is often thought.
Judges Strike Down California’s Under-21 Ban On Semiautomatic Rifle Sales
Saying it violated the constitutional rights of those aged 18 to 20 to bear arms, a panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit overruled a lower court that allowed California’s ban on such sales to young adults to stand.
Formula Shortage Could Soon Get Boost By Abbott Production Restart
If approved to do so by the FDA, Abbott Laboratories says they may be able to resume infant formula production within two weeks. Meanwhile, parents go to great lengths to find supplies for their babies amid the global shortage.
Merger Of Advocate Aurora, Atrium To Create Giant $27 Billion Health System
Not-for-profit providers Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health announced plans to team up to create a new health system that will run 67 hospitals across six states.
Proportion Of Covid Deaths Among Vaccinated On The Rise
Experts tell ABC News that the increase in breakthrough deaths is expected as more people reach full vaccination status and as time grows since people’s first doses. Other vaccine research looks at mix-and-match mRNA vaccines and Moderna’s efficacy for kids.
Biden-Hosted Summit Aims To Shore Up Faltering World Pandemic Resolve
The U.S. is co-hosting the second global covid summit amid underperforming efforts to vaccinate more people. But the White House’s impasses with Congress over additional funding limits America’s future contributions to international efforts.
‘We Must Not Grow Numb To Such Sorrow’: 1 Million In US Lost To Covid
President Joe Biden commemorated the hard-to-fathom toll and called on Congress to provide the funds needed to keep fighting the virus: “We must remain vigilant against this pandemic and do everything we can to save as many lives as possible, as we have with more testing, vaccines, and treatments than ever before.” And, covid deaths are once again starting to climb.
A Record 107,000 Americans Died Of A Drug Overdose Last Year
The nation’s drug epidemic is deepening, with overdoses rising almost 50% in just two years. Fueled largely by opioids, there have been over 1 million fatal overdoses in the U.S. since the turn of the century.
California Will Woo Businesses, Patients From Anti-Abortion States
Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed new measures to support abortion rights, including a $40 million fund to help uninsured Californians as well as an expected influx of women from other states. And in New Jersey, a new law would boost abortion access.
Over 300,000 Women Would Be Instantly Affected By Roe Overturn
An NBC News report highlights the number of people who could be pregnant before July in the 13 states expected to trigger anti-abortion laws if Roe v. Wade is overturned — immediately placing their pregnancy under a different legal regime and restricting choices. Media outlets cover other abortion news, including upcoming rights protests, the impact of the decision on voters’ thinking, and more.
Supreme Court Reportedly Hasn’t Shifted From Alito’s Draft Opinion
A Politico report says the controversial opinion from Justice Samuel Alito is still the only one circulating in the Supreme Court, suggesting other justices aren’t shifting from the opinion. The court will meet again today — behind closed doors — for the first time since the leak.
Federal Abortion Rights Effort Fails; Pro-Rights Republicans Try Own Bill
As widely expected, a Democrat-led effort to codify abortion rights at a federal level (and cement politicians’ stances into the public’s minds) failed. But two Senate Republicans who do support abortion proposed their own bill — it’s brief, and had no input from reproductive rights groups.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Perspectives: Purchase Of Biohaven Opens Future Possibilities For Migraine Treatments
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Viewpoints: College Sports Pressure Is Harming Some Athletes; Will Senate Protect Abortion Rights?
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health topics.
Different Takes: Bill Gates Book Tells How To Prevent Next Pandemic; Covid Has Traumatized Teenagers
Opinion writers weigh in on covid issues.
