Latest KFF Health News Stories
California’s Population Decline Continued In 2021
The pandemic was partly to blame for California’s population declining for the second year in a row. Developmental issues in pandemic babies in Wisconsin, Kansas expanding postpartum care and more are also in the news.
Major Insurer Restricts Coverage Of Aduhelm
UnitedHealthcare says the drug is “unproven and not medically necessary.” In other news on the health care industry, large not-for-profit health systems are recording windfalls from their investments that are offsetting significant operating losses.
New Alzheimer’s Vaccine To Get FDA Fast-Track Approval Process
Vaxxinity, a biotech company from Texas, announced its candidate Alzheimer’s vaccine was designated “fast-track” by the Food and Drug Administration. Meanwhile, the FDA suspended a study of a diabetes stem-cell therapy due to “insufficient information” in support of higher dosing.
Becerra Wants More Money For Mental Health Treatment
The secretary of Health and Human Services said he wants Congress to appropriate more money to bring mental health treatment up to the level of physical ailments. Other news on mental health includes updates of the suicides on a berthed Navy ship, Naomi Judd’s death and climate-change anxiety.
Texas AG Criticized For Inaccurate Medical Claims On Trans Health Care
Meanwhile, in 18 states lawmakers are planning “refuge” bills to help transgender youths and their families who have been displaced by anti-trans laws passed in conservative states. Also: a push to reduce toxic chemicals in Boston schools, avian flu outbreaks in Alaska, Oklahoma, and more.
Vice President Harris Returns To The Office After Covid
Vice President Kamala Harris is resuming her regular routine today and will deliver remarks at a conference tonight of abortion-rights supporters. In other Washington news, concerns about Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s ability to represent California are growing louder.
Many States Limit Pharmacies’ Ability To Give Young Children Covid Shots
In other news, the White House has said it will nearly double the amount of Paxlovid available but is struggling to do so. And a Minnesota company found giving people $1,000 to get a covid shot works as an inducement.
Covid Climbing Yet Again Throughout US
The new BA.2.12.1 variant was responsible for 29% of new coronavirus infections and they are on the rise across the country.
Abortion Bans Would ‘Trigger’ In 13 States As Soon As Roe Overturned
Abortion access will immediately end or be curtailed in a handful of states with “trigger laws” already on the books, while as many as 26 are expected to ban the procedure when Roe v. Wade is no longer in effect. Other states take steps on the opposite track to increase abortion protections.
Midterm Stakes Rise: Republicans Eye National Abortion Ban, Democrats Say They’ll Fight
The explosive Supreme Court leak again exposed the deep partisan divide over the issue of abortion. Some Republicans are already looking ahead to passing a nationwide ban, if they regain a congressional majority this fall. Democrats vow to challenge those efforts at the state and national level and hope the court decision could spur passion from their base.
Rare Leak Reveals Supreme Court Ready To Strike Down Roe V. Wade
Politico obtained an internal draft of the majority opinion, authored by Justice Samuel Alito, which takes the position that precedent cases of Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey “must be overruled.” In the preliminary version — which could still be modified and has not been verified by other news outlets — Alito also writes that “Roe was egregiously wrong from the start” and says abortion law should be determined by the states.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Different Takes: Can We Build Covid Immunity With Infection?; It’s Past Time For An Under-5s Vaccine
Opinion writers weigh in on covid as well as race in health care.
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
Beijing Tightens Covid Rules; New Zealand, Italy, Greece Relax Them
Chinese authorities aiming to control an ongoing covid outbreak and are trying a new range of restrictions that stop shy of a full lockdown. Meanwhile, in New Zealand the government is opening the borders to tourists — and Italy, Greece are relaxing their rules to boost tourism.
Challenge Mounted To Ohio Law Allowing Doctors To Deny Services
The Columbus Dispatch covers a case against Ohio’s law that allows health providers to deny services that violate their beliefs — because of the way the law was snuck into a budget bill. Tennessee’s “acquired immunity” covid law, the Lone Star tick in D.C., and other matters are also in the news.
Stanford Nurses Strike May End Soon; Cedars-Sinai Workers Set To Walk Out
Modern Healthcare reports on two strike-related developments: 5,000 nurses from Stanford Health Care and Stanford Children’s Health may stop striking tomorrow; while a union representing 2,000 workers at Cedars-Sinai plans a strike on May 9. Racism in health care, the loss of pandemic aid for hospitals, and more industry news are also covered by media outlets.
Study Shows AI Can Spot Ventricular Condition From Apple Watch Data
Modern Healthcare and Stat cover an innovation from Mayo Clinic, where ECG data from an Apple Watch is run through a smart algorithm that can then identify left ventricular dysfunction. Separately, a study shows the amount of covid virus shed by asymptomatic people varies widely.
Texas Updates Sex Ed Programs But Advocates Say Details Are Missing
The Texas State Board of Education has updated the health curriculum, including sexual health, for elementary and middle school students, NPR reports. The curriculum includes detailed information about birth control and STIs for the first time, but still avoids subjects like consent, gender or LGBTQ+ topics.
Trans Youth ‘Hounded’ By State Anti-Trans Laws: Assistant Health Secretary
While speaking in Texas, Assistant Health Secretary Rachel Levine poured scorn on anti-trans sports and health care laws being passed in Republican-led states. The bills, Levine said, are driving transgender youths to “depths of despair” as medicine and science is distorted for political gain. Levine is the highest ranking transgender official in U.S. history.
