Latest KFF Health News Stories
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on mental health, Alzheimer’s, smartphone accessibility updates, menstrual leave, covid, hockey great Vladimir Konstantinov, and more.
Peanut Butter Recall Hits Other Makers’ Products Across States, Borders
The footprint of the Jif peanut butter recall, according to a report at NPR, is extending into other companies’ products. The initial salmonella outbreak at the J.M. Smucker Co. Kentucky plant means products are even being affected as far away as Japan.
CVS Unveils Virtual Care Services For Aetna, Caremark Members
Eligible Aetna and CVS Caremark members will be able to use CVS Health Virtual Primary Care to request remote primary care, chronic condition management, and mental health services. The platform will roll out in 2023.
To Tackle Drug Prices, FDA OKs Some Imports Of Drugs From Canada
New Food and Drug Administration guidance says that for up to 2 years wholesalers and pharmacists can import prescription drugs from Canada. Separately, a report says that though global cancer drug launches hit a high in 2021, spending on oncology drugs did too.
Navy ‘Separates’ Over 1,000 Sailors Over Covid Shot Refusals
Separation, in Navy parlance, is not like being discharged, but means the sailor must leave their active duty position. Meanwhile, at UCLA, an indoor mask rule is back in place after case counts rise. Mix-and-match booster shots, the FDA’s decision on Novavax, and more vaccine news is reported.
Suspected Covid Cases May Soon Not Be Reported By CDC
Bloomberg says it has seen a draft of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention plan on reporting covid cases, and it includes changes to data collection habits that may now be outdated or redundant — including hospitals reporting suspected but untested covid cases.
White House Pushes Easier Access To Paxlovid To Tackle Covid
The White House is aiming to improve access to Pfizer’s antiviral drug amid worries that covid will surge during summer travel season. Meanwhile, “Paxlovid mouth” is a growing phenomenon, where patients suffer a “horrible” taste in their mouths after taking the drug.
Senate Panel Floats Telehealth Expansion For Medicare Mental Health Care
Included in a telehealth “bill of rights” issued by the Senate Finance Committee Thursday is a measure that would allow Medicare beneficiaries to receive mental health services online without first seeing a provider in person. That requirement was lifted during the pandemic and lawmakers said it was successful.
400 Workers In 5 States Push For Unionization At Planned Parenthood
Even as the future of Planned Parenthood seems clouded by the looming Supreme Court decision on Roe v. Wade, around 400 workers are pushing to unionize in Midwest states. The effort is said to be driven by unequal pay matters, staff turnover, and burnout. Other abortion issues are reported.
Doctors, Facing Blowback From Gun Advocates, Galvanize To Fight Violence
Doctors insist that gun violence is an urgent public health emergency and began using the hashtag #ThisIsOurLane in 2018 when the National Rifle Association tweeted “someone should tell self-important anti-gun doctors to stay in their lane.” News outlets also look at the impact from school shootings on teachers. Meanwhile, a small, bipartisan group of senators is talking about possible agreement on some initial efforts on gun control.
FDA Chief Suggests Stockpile Of Baby Formula Once Crisis Ends In July
Dr. Robert Califf, the FDA commissioner, didn’t recommend specifics for stockpiling the formula during his testimony before a Senate committee. He told senators that he expects the U.S. will have a surplus of formula again in about two months.
First US Health Workers Get Vaccine With Cases Of Monkeypox Rising To 9
A small group of Massachusetts General Hospital workers — who had close contact with a patient diagnosed with the monkeypox virus — became the first people in the U.S. to receive the vaccine outside of clinical trials. Meanwhile, the nine people with confirmed cases are being sent treatments.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations. Note to readers: KHN’s First Edition will not be published Monday, May 30, in honor of Memorial Day. Look for it again in your inbox on Tuesday.
Editorial writers weigh in on mental illness, baby formula shortage and autism caregivers.
Opinion writers discuss covid and Roe V. Wade issues.
Research Roundup: Covid; Pig-To-Human Kidney Transplant; Dementia
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
US Tourist Deaths In Bahamas Blamed On Carbon Monoxide
The deaths earlier this month had been a puzzle, but reports now say that the three U.S. tourist deaths at a Sandals resort were from carbon monoxide. Sandals has now added CO detectors to guest rooms. Separately, the WHO says global covid cases are beginning to drop again after a surge.
Medicaid Expansion Bill Introduced In North Carolina
North Carolina Health News notes that after health care advocates had been pushing for years, “it finally happened.” A separate report in Stateline explains how Medicaid pregnancy care varies very widely across the states, which is significant because 40% of U.S. births are financed by the program.
Legionnaires’ Disease Sickens 19, Kills 1 In Bronx Neighborhood
The Health Department is reportedly investigating cooling towers in the borough’s Highbridge section. Also: a child’s death from a polio-like illness is giving clues on enterovirus; a new analysis in San Francisco shows pollution’s impact on Black, Latino, Asian, and low-income residents, and more.
Eli Lilly To Spend $2.1 Billion On New Drug-Making Plants In Indiana
Company officials said the new manufacturing sites will make active ingredients and new therapeutic drugs, including those used to treat diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer’s, and cancer. In West Virginia, a tentative agreement has been made on settlements over the opioid crisis, for $161.5 million.
