Latest KFF Health News Stories
Ohio Medicaid Contract Dispute Threatens Pharmacies
The Columbus Dispatch warns over “pharmacy deserts” and low drug access for poorer or disabled Ohioans in the face of an unresolved dispute over the state’s Medicaid contracts. Meanwhile, a child in Maine has died from flu; Montana has hired a new Medicaid director; and more.
Cases Of Esophageal Cancer Possibly Rise In Middle-Age People
Typically esophageal cancer has been mostly found in older people, but now estimates from the American Cancer Society warn it may be rising among a younger, middle-aged generation. Also: Reports of high levels of PFAS in drinking water near Defense Department bases, news on the lead industry, and more.
Arizona Doctors Aim To Twist Surprise Billing Law Into Pay-Booster
A draft ballot initiative concerning the surprise billing law obtained by Stat has a surprising goal, according to the publication: It strips out key parts of the federal arbitration process and ultimately could boost physician’s incomes in out-of-network disputes, with consumers paying extra.
Chilling With A Drink? Nope: Gen Zers Choose Weed Or Mushrooms
A study by a cannabis research firm is reported in Bloomberg and has interesting data on how Gen Z differs in its relaxing habits: Booze is out and ‘shrooms are in. In Axios, a separate study is covered, and it shows that young people’s love of vaping products has reversed a long decline in tobacco use.
Supreme Court Abortion Leak Hunt Shifts To Law Clerks’ Phone Data
The leak of the controversial Supreme Court opinion that could end Roe v. Wade and dramatically affect U.S. abortions is being investigated, and law clerks are being asked to provide cell phone records. Potential abortion bans in Tennessee; the impact of Oklahoma’s ban on IVF; and more.
Ease Of Purchasing Guns Becomes Point Of Reflection In Texas
While many officials are suggesting that dealing with mental health problems is the key to stop gun violence, some people on social media are pointing out the disparities between the ease of buying a high-powered firearm or getting other services and equipment. Meanwhile, a woman shot in New York’s subway is suing the gunmaker and a St. Louis doctor looks at the toll guns are left there.
Faulty Pulse Oximeter Design Likely Hurt Care For Darker-Skinned Covid Patients
A study shows that the devices did not measure the oxygen levels of Black, Latino, or Asian patients as accurately as white patients. And in Nevada, a lab company is under fire for covid test results that were almost entirely wrong.
Justice Department Appeals Court Order Blocking Travel Mask Mandate
“None of the district court’s quarrels with the CDC order comes close to showing that the CDC has acted outside the ‘zone of reasonableness,'” the Justice Department said in the brief. Meanwhile, other mask and vaccine requirements are in the news.
Covid Cases Nearly Six Times Higher Than This Time Last Year
While many Americans enjoyed a more “normal” Memorial Day weekend, current official covid infection levels — which are likely an undercount — reinforce that the pandemic is far from over. News outlets report on regions of the country where cases are known to be ballooning or plateauing.
HHS Creates New Office To Tackle Environmental Inequities In Health
The Office of Environmental Justice will be part of the HHS Office of Climate Change and Health Equity and will be headed by interim director Sharunda Buchanan, who used to work at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention specializing in environmental health issues like lead exposure. In other news, President Joe Biden has scheduled a meeting today with industry leaders on the infant formula shortage.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers tackle these covid and covid related issues.
Editorial writers examine pregnancy, baby formula and mental health.
US Homeless Deaths Spike Wasn’t From Covid: It Was Overdoses
A study into the sharp increase in deaths of unhoused people during the pandemic in the U.S. which found the main cause was surging drug overdoses. Meanwhile in Oklahoma, a medical cannabis regulator will track products from “seed to sale” to try to prevent abuse.
Organic Strawberries May Be Linked To Hepatitis A Outbreak: FDA
The Food and Drug Administration, plus other agencies, is investigating organic fresh strawberries as a source of a hepatitis A outbreak in the U.S. and Canada. Expanding the 9/11 health treatment list, a lower mortality risk for coffee drinkers, and other public health stories are also in the news.
AMA Opposes Plan To Mandate Doctors Learn About Opioid Abuse Disorder
Stat notes the position of the American Medical Association against a new bill to mandate training on opioid use disorder seems uncomfortably at odds with other moves by the same body to boost treatment. Also: burnout in emergency staff, a doctors’ alleged kickback scheme in Texas, and more.
Vaccines Lower Long Covid Risks, Chances Of Death: Study
A study of 13 million U.S. veterans reported by CIDRAP says that covid vaccines reduce risks from serious long covid side effects, compared to unvaccinated people. A report in Fortune, meanwhile, says that up to 23 million Americans (about 7% of the population) may have the condition.
In Studies, Symptom-Free Patients Didn’t Spread Covid As Easily
Compared to symptomatic infections, the rate of viral spread to contacts was about two-thirds lower, new research has found. Also: Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom has tested positive for covid; federal officials urge mask-wearing in Florida as cases there rise; and more.
WHO Says Monkeypox Outbreak Still Stoppable, Prepares For Bigger One
Media outlets cover the response from the World Health Organization to the ongoing and worsening global monkeypox outbreak, which has now affected around 200 people.
New Hampshire’s Anti-Abortion Bill Slightly Relaxed
The post-24-week ban on abortions in New Hampshire was modified Friday to include exceptions where the fetus has been found unable to survive, AP reports. And in Texas, the capital of Austin is pushing to effectively decriminalize abortion ahead of the Supreme Court decision on Roe v. Wade.
