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 the Affordable Care Act, covid, infertility, tick bites, body image, anorexia, and more.
Homelessness Influencing L.A. Mayoral Race; Houston’s Progress Applauded
Los Angeles mayoral candidates reportedly agree tackling homelessness is critical, but cannot agree on how to do it. Also, an appeals court has given Caltrans permission to clear a homeless camp in Berkeley, and in Houston the new federal homelessness head touted the region’s progress.
New Oral Heart Disease Drug Gains FDA Approval
The new drug, called Mavacamten, tackles hypertrophic cardiomyopathy which affects about 1 in 500 people and is the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in young people. AstraZeneca, Baxter International, Merck and shareholder reluctance at opening covid patents, and more are also in health industry news.
Covid Deaths Varied Dramatically Across The US: More In The South
A study into excess mortality data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that a disproportionate number of deaths happened in Southern states. Separately, a study finds initial vital signs are a good indicator for covid severity during hospitalizations, and successes from an opera-singing experiment may help long-covid sufferers.
Covid Seriously Worsened Kid’s Mental Health: Study
The impact of covid “profoundly” impacted mental health of children and adolescents, a meta-analysis of other medical studies found. Meanwhile, the CT Mirror reports that a bill focussing on boosting children’s mental health support advanced in the Senate after gathering broad support.
Servers Say No Covid Precautions Were Offered For Correspondents Dinner
A union leader representing the servers at the Washington hotel where the White House Correspondents’ Dinner will be held this weekend told Axios that the staff hasn’t been told about any special testing or vaccination requirements. Meanwhile, former Trump administration covid adviser Deborah Birx says in her new book that her first meeting with President Donald Trump lasted 30 seconds and he dismissed her concerns about the virus.
First US Child May Have Died During Hepatitis Outbreak
The child death in Wisconsin may be the first in the U.S. linked to the ongoing global outbreak of hepatitis, which is reported spreading across the states and the world. An algorithm to predict child neglect, Prescription Drug Take Back Day, drug overdoses in adolescents and more are in the news.
Medicare Advantage Plans Too Often Deny Care, HHS Watchdog Reports
The inspector general’s office urged HHS officials to increase oversight of the private insurance plans.
Oklahoma Abortion Providers Brace For Immediate Shut Downs From Pending Laws
The Oklahoma legislature sent two abortion bills to Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Republican, that would take immediate effect if signed — as he is expected to do. One is modeled after Texas’ ban on the surgical procedure at roughly 6 weeks, with a private enforcement provision that has proved difficult to challenge in court. Abortion providers have already asked the Oklahoma Supreme Court to block the likely law.
First Human Case Of H5 Bird Flu Recorded In Colorado: CDC
The CDC says that the infected person was working to destroy birds believed to have a version of H5N1 bird flu, and that the risk to the public is believed to be low. The virus strain is currently affecting millions of American birds in around 30 states.
FDA’s Planned Menthol Cigarette Ban Would Impact Third Of Smokers
The FDA released its long-awaited proposed rule that could end sales in the U.S. of menthol cigarettes and cigars. The plan also includes other flavored cigars as well. It’s estimated that 18.5 million Americans use such products, including 3 out of 4 Black people who smoke.
California Areas Report Swelling Covid Cases
In Los Angeles, hospitalizations are also starting to creep up — a more worrisome trend that has tended to follow surges in covid infections. With cases also on the rise in the Bay Area, San Francisco is bringing back some precautions.
Parents’ Wait For Covid Vaccine For Youngest Kids May End In June
Media outlets follow up on Moderna’s FDA request for approval of its low-dose, two-shot covid vaccine for children younger than six years old. If given approval, Moderna’s shots would be the first to go into the arms of the nation’s youngest unvaxxed age group.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers examine these public health issues.
Different Takes: FDA Must Approve Under-5 Vaccine; Here’s How To Manage Covid And Kids Going Forward
Opinion writers discuss covid issues and medical debt.
Measles Surging Amid Pandemic-Related Delays Of Childhood Vaccines
Media outlets cover warnings from the World Health Organization and UNICEF about a “perfect storm” of events relating to a worldwide jump in measles — cases are up 79% in the first two months of 2022. Meanwhile, NPR covers a disturbing amount of child deaths after general hospitalizations.
California Advances Plan To Boost Payouts From Malpractice Cases
The state legislature still has to approve the plan, but if it passes, the plan will reform California’s laws that currently limit some of the costs that can be claimed in a medical malpractice suit. Separately, in Wisconsin, an investigation is happening into four child cases of liver damage.
Research Roundup: Covid; MRSA; TB; Coronary Artery Disease
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Hospitals Losing Money, Thanks To Covid-Driven Cost Increases
According to Bloomberg, even though the health system is emerging from the worst of the pandemic, the ongoing elevated costs of workers are causing profit warnings. The Bay Area News Group covers how travel nurses are cashing in on such pandemic issues and the Stanford nursing strike.
