Latest KFF Health News Stories
Water Insecurity Makes World ‘Less Stable,’ Harris Says
Vice President Kamala Harris said Wednesday that making drinking water scarcity a foreign policy priority was good, ultimately benefiting U.S. interests even if the issues are in other countries. Also: A puzzling series of attacks in night clubs in France; Italy lifts all pandemic entry rules; and more.
Research Roundup: E. Coli; Monkeypox; Gonorrhea; Diabetes; MRSA; More
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Complex ‘Coal Ash’ Health Case In Tennessee Supreme Court
A company, Jacobs Engineering, is challenging allegations that workers were injured or ultimately died after cleaning up a coal ash spill over a decade ago and being exposed to silica. Also in the news, the California child abuse database, legal drug injection sites in California, and more.
Lawsuit Mounted Against Florida’s New Abortion Ban
News outlets cover legal efforts from Planned Parenthood chapters and abortion providers in the state to challenge the new 15-week anti-abortion law. Separately, a call for more medical personnel in Illinois is made in light of an expected surge in abortion requests from out-of-state patients.
Maine Chosen For Pfizer’s Lyme Disease Vaccine Trial
Pfizer’s experimental vaccine is designed to combat the tick-borne disease, and the third phase of its trials will last over 13 months with patients taking two shots. Meanwhile, West Virginia’s Republican Gov. Jim Justice has confirmed he has tested positive for Lyme disease.
Feds Allege Rampant Lab Test Fraud In Texas
A rural hospital in Texas was the vehicle for a broad and deep lab testing fraud scheme, the Department of Justice Says. Meanwhile in cybercrime, the FBI reportedly blocked an attack on a children’s hospital.
Monkeypox Reaches Georgia As New York’s Case Count Hits 4
Axios reports that the center of the global monkeypox outbreak remains in Europe, with Portugal and Spain reporting over a hundred cases each. And the World Health Organization, Fox News reports, has warned that surprising outbreaks of endemic diseases will become more frequent.
NC Senate Approves Health Bill That Includes Medicaid Expansion
State lawmakers in the House may not consider the legislation, though, until the fall or next year. And some doctors and hospitals warn that the health access measure includes other complicating policies.
3D-Printed Human Cells Used In Ear Transplant Surgery
The astonishing advance, reported in The New York Times, represents a clinical trial of some breakthrough technology, in this case used to help a young woman born with a misshapen ear. In other news, drinking coffee may lower your risk of dying, advances in pregnancy test tech, and more.
Pancreatic Cancer Therapy Experiment Saves Woman; Is It A Breakthrough?
Researchers point out that another pancreatic cancer patient who received the same therapy did not respond to the treatment and died. But the highly personalized immunotherapy is being called “an important step along the way” to devising treatments that might help lung, colon, and other cancers.
As Federal Covid Money Runs Low, Funding Bill Mired On Hill
AP reports that legislative efforts to authorize additional funds to combat covid remain stalled, as the White House request has been tied to the thorny immigration issue. Other stories on the state of the pandemic report focus on variants, at-capacity ERs, surging infections, and more.
Pfizer Asks FDA To Authorize Its Covid Shot For Kids Under 5
The Food and Drug Administration received Pfizer’s application for emergency use authorization of its covid vaccine for children under 5. A request from Moderna is also under review and a decision for both may come this month.
Biden Says Impact Of Formula Plant Shutdown Took Him By Surprise
Following a meeting with infant formula makers at the White House, President Joe Biden acknowledged the slow response of his administration to the national shortage. Meanwhile, the U.S. government is airlifting in more supplies from other countries.
Medical Building Is Latest ‘Catastrophic Scene’ Of Mass Gun Deaths
Four people were shot and killed at a Tulsa medical building on St. Francis Health System’s hospital campus. The gunman is also dead. This mass shooting — on the heels of two recent others — comes as lawmakers struggle with answers to the U.S. gun violence epidemic.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Perspectives: High Drug Prices Harm Those Who Need Prescriptions To Survive
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health issues.
Opinion writers delve into breastfeeding, abortion and covid.
Controversy As Insurer Calls Prescribed Obesity Meds A ‘Vanity Drug’
The New York Times story covers a case of a doctor prescribing Saxenda (recently approved for weight loss) to a patient, who had coverage refused by her insurer over its “vanity” status. And in Stat, a genetic biotech firm says it can now sequence entire human genomes for just $100.
Maraviroc Appears To Treat More Than HIV; Unnecessary Antibiotics Detrimental To Kids
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
