Latest KFF Health News Stories
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.
Omicron Subvariants Driving Up Covid Around The World: WHO
A recent briefing from the World Health Organization places blame squarely on omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 for a surge in covid cases in more than 50 nations. The WHO is also reportedly asking Pfizer to improve access to its Paxlovid covid pill to prevent illness in poorer countries.
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
In A First, Colorado To Legalize Right-To-Repair For Electric Wheelchairs
A bill on its way to Democratic Gov. Jared Polis’ desk would make it easier for owners of powered wheelchairs to order parts and tools for fixes through independent repairers, versus having to use the maker’s providers. Separately, Colorado lawmakers rejected a push to ban flavored tobacco products.
FDA Moves To Boost Baby Formula Supplies As Stores Run Dry
FDA commissioner Robert Califf said, “Ensuring the availability of safe, sole-source nutrition products like infant formula is of the utmost importance to the FDA.” But the FDA has not said when Abbott Laboratories, the biggest U.S. formula supplier and source of a massive recall, will reopen its factory.
Oscar Health To Exit Colorado, Arkansas
The insurtech company announced that commercial and regulatory issues have pushed it to leave the two states. Changing insurance rate-setting processes in Massachusetts, higher pay for insurtech CEOS, a ransomware attack at medical tech firm Omnicell, and more are also in the news.
As Covid Soared, So Did Gun Deaths — To Near-Record Rates
Media outlets cover tragic Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data showing the arrival of the pandemic also brought a jump in gun-related homicides. Deaths leaped nearly 35% in 2020 to the highest level since 1994, with higher rates among poorer, younger groups and for Black Americans. Gun-related suicide rates were mostly stable.
Emergent Factory Hid Vaccine Troubles From FDA, Congressional Report Finds
The problem-plagued plant in Baltimore was forced to destroy millions more covid vaccine doses than previously known, the report says. An Emergent BioSolutions spokesman defended the company, saying it has “willingly” participated in the probe and has been “forthcoming with the FDA.”
Future Covid Funding At Risk In Senate Tussle On Ukraine, Borders
Media outlets report that Democrats may concede to Republican pressure and offer a vote on blocking President Joe Biden’s new border rules if this helps unstick progress on covid aid. But alongside efforts to increase aid to Ukraine, some worry over the $10 billion covid package’s future.
Covid Testing, Critical To Halting Spread Of Virus, Has Slumped
Experts say coronavirus testing has dropped anywhere from 70% to 90% worldwide from the first to second quarter of 2022, AP reports. In other news, Bill Gates — the target of anti-vaccine conspiracists — has tested positive for covid.
