Latest KFF Health News Stories
Study: Simple Blood Tests Can Predict Brain Trauma Severity
Stat reports on a protein biomarker discovery that can quite reliably predict which patients are likely to die or survive after a traumatic brain injury. In other news, multiracial LGBTQ+ youth are found to have higher suicide risk, criticism of the 988 suicide hotline, and more.
Judge OKs Delaware Auditor’s Inquiry Into Medicaid Program Eligibility
In a complicated case, Delaware’s Department of Health and Social Services had been trying to quash a state auditor’s record-seeking subpoena. Other news includes the opening of a state-licensed medical pot store in South Dakota, a child psychiatrist shortage in Florida, and more.
Research Roundup: Covid Vaccines; Preterm Labor; Anti-Aging; More
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Nearly 4 Million People Had Data Exposed In July Health Industry Hacks
Health care data breaches compromised information on 3.9 million people in July. About half came from just one payment vendor hack, according to Modern Healthcare. Separately, the Department of Justice says UnitedHealth’s data practices mean its Change Healthcare acquisition should be blocked.
Federal Judge Finds Walgreens Likely Worsened San Francisco Opioid Crisis
Hundreds of thousands of “suspicious orders” of prescription drugs were responsible, the judge ruled. Other reports cover the rise of “tranq,” or xylazine, making street drugs more dangerous; an American vitamin D “problem;” liver cancer links to forever chemicals; and more.
A Blood Or Saliva Test To Predict Your Covid Immunity? Maybe Soon
The Boston Herald reports on two separate efforts by researchers at both MIT and Harvard. Other pandemic news is on long covid, death rates, mask requirements, and more.
Amid Abortion Fight, Democrats Gain Momentum In Midterm Elections
Recent events in Kansas, Minnesota, and Nebraska suggest the political climate for Democrats is not as apocalyptic as it seemed a few months ago, The Washington Post and other news media say.
Judge Pauses Wyoming Abortion Ban On State Constitutional Grounds
Teton County District Judge Melissa Owens granted an injunction on the abortion ban as a lawsuit contesting it progresses, since the suit is likely to succeed. Media outlets cover other abortion issues, including flip-flopping legality, medical schools revising training, and more.
Maker Of Jynneos Monkeypox Shot Worried By Dose-Split Plan
Bavarian Nordic, maker of the only FDA-approved monkeypox vaccine, has warned it has reservations over U.S. plans to split the doses to cover more people. The Atlantic reports the decision was made on the basis of only a single study.
Pharma Industry’s Response Monitored To Drug Pricing Measures
Roll Call reports on mixed forecasts on whether drugmakers will shift costs to private markets to offset losses from Medicare negotiations. News outlets explore other ways the bill — which is expected to get a House vote Friday — will impact consumers.
Biden Signs Bill Expanding Health Care For Vets Exposed To Burn Pits
“This is the most significant law our nation has ever passed to help millions of veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during their military service,” President Joe Biden said at the White House signing ceremony Wednesday.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers examine the insulin copay cap, myeloma diagnoses in Black people, ‘death panels,’ and more.
Opinion writers examine monkeypox, covid and mental health.
Atlantic City Casino Dealers Want Smoking Ban, Reject Outdoor Area Idea
A proposal from state legislators to create designated outdoor smoking areas has been rejected by Atlantic City casino dealers, who are pushing for a smoking ban. Even walking through these areas exposes workers to secondhand smoke risks, they say. Also: child vaccines, recreational pot and more.
Perspectives: SSRIs Don’t Actually Balance Brain Chemicals; Pfizer Making Smart Acquisitions
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
FDA Rejects Expanded Use Of Pimavanserin For Alzheimer’s Disease
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Civil Rights Groups Say School Lunch Programs’ Dairy Emphasis Is Racist
A report in The Hill covers efforts by 28 civil rights and child care groups to pressure the U.S. Department of Agriculture over what they say is “dietary racism” in national school lunch programs. Only incentivizing cow’s milk is the problem: children of color are more likely to be lactose intolerant.
Costs Of Cybersecurity Attack Higher For Health Industry Than Any Other
A new IBM report highlights the deep impact that a cybersecurity breach can have on a health care system, with the cost of a breach rising — and it already has a more expensive impact than on any other sector. Also: new Dallas clinics from One Medical, insurers cracking down on unscheduled procedures, and more.
Fewer Than 1 In 3 Insured Patients With Hepatitis C Get Treatment
Media outlets report on a new government study that highlights a failure in the medical insurance system: Though many people infected with hepatitis C can be cured by an expensive treatment, fewer than a third of people whose insurance covers the cure are accessing the drugs.
