Latest KFF Health News Stories
Florida Abortion Ban After 15 Weeks Heads To DeSantis’ Desk
Both chambers of Florida’s legislature have ow approved the strict measure, which shortens the window for most abortions from 24 weeks to 15 with no exceptions for victims of rape, incest or human trafficking. Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to sign it into law.
House Passes Bill To Expand Health Care For Vets Exposed To Burn Pits
The bill passed a 256-174 House vote Thursday. It would open up Veterans Affairs health care to more service members exposed to toxic burn pits during the Iraq or Afghanistan wars and expand disability benefits to veterans who have become sick.
White House Request For More Covid Funds Sets Up Fight In Congress
The Biden administration tacked on two new requests to ongoing budget talks that face a March 11 deadline: $10 billion in aid for Ukraine and $22.5 billion more to cover “immediate” pandemic-related expenses. Republicans have been expected to balk at authorizing more covid money.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Research Roundup: Cancer; Alzheimer’s; E. Coli; Covid
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Viewpoints: Examining Biden’s Covid Plans; Diabetes Sufferers Getting Insulin From Twitter
Editorial writers weigh in on covid, prescription costs, ACA and public private partnerships.
Medical Situation In Ukraine Declines Amid Covid Surge Warnings
News outlets cover the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, with evidence of patients from a children’s hospital sheltering from bombardment, worries that covid surges will happen, and a refugee crisis that has reached 1 million people. Medical exports to Russia are also in the spotlight.
Judge Blocks Anti-Transgender Investigation In Texas
District Judge Amy Clark Meachum said an investigation by the child protection agency into one family of a transgender teen could cause “irreparable injury.” She considering a statewide injunction. Meanwhile, in Alabama, lawmakers tried to ban doctors prescribing gender care for trans minors.
Rise In Telehealth Use Also Increasing Demand For Medical Office Space
More than 30% of telehealth visits resulted in a physical office visit, according to a new survey that polled more than 4,000 people in January, Modern Healthcare reported.
Significant New Clinical Trial Begins For Roche Alzheimer’s Drug
STAT reports that Roche and partner Genentech have begun a four-year clinical trial without waiting for data from ongoing studies, to find if a new drug can halt Alzheimer’s disease early in its progression. HIV preventatives, CRISPR, and detection of kidney damage are also in the news.
Senator With Long Covid Introduces Bill To Research Its Effects
Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, a Democrat, has suffered mild long covid symptoms for nearly two years. Separately, Axios reports that some sufferers aren’t finding it easy to get assistance. Meanwhile, a small study of covid survivors with lingering symptoms found 59% had nerve damage.
DeSantis Criticized For Telling Students To Unmask
The confrontation happened at a news conference in Tampa, where DeSantis said masks weren’t “doing anything.” He’s since been blasted by Democratic critics. News outlets cover other masking and mandate issues in schools, businesses, and venues across the country.
Most Opioid Epidemic Deaths Are Now Among Black Americans
NPR reports that in the early stages of the opioid epidemic twice as many white Americans died than Black Americans, and now the situation is different. Separately, a controversial “excited delirium” diagnosis used in high profile police deaths is targeted by a doctors group which says it has no basis.
Study: Death 40% More Likely From Omicron Than From Flu
Omicron covid was found to be at least 40% more deadly than seasonal flu in astudy by Japanese researchers. Meanwhile, some areas of the U.S. are still hard-hit by covid, including parts of Los Angeles County. Separately, a “highly-changed” covid variant was found in deer in Canada.
Bipartisan Bill Would Alert Those Nearing Medicare Age About Late Fees
A growing number of Americans who don’t qualify for automatic enrollment at age 65 can get hit by Medicare Part B financial penalties if they don’t sign up by the time they are eligible. A Senate-introduced bill aims to inform people before that point — many of whom are unaware of the late-enrollment fees. Other Medicare news stories report on drug prices, nursing home quality, and more.
States Move To Cripple Abortion Access
In Florida, a near-total 15-week abortion ban is closer to being passed. In Oklahoma, a House committee approved plans for a Texas-style abortion ban. In West Virginia, the Senate passed a bill banning abortions based on detection of a fetal disability. South Dakota moved toward restricting access to abortion pills. More abortion news comes from Ohio, Nevada and Kentucky.
Confirmation Hearings For High Court Nominee Will Begin March 21
According to The Washington Post, the 24 days between the president’s announcement of Ketanji Brown Jackson’s nomination and the start of her hearing is about half the time of most nominations recently, although Justice Amy Coney Barrett was pushed through in just 16 days.
Bill To Help Ill Veterans Exposed To Burn Pit Toxins Poised To Pass House
The House of Representatives is set to vote Thursday on legislation that would boost Department of Veterans Affairs health care and disability benefits for Iraq and Afghanistan war service members who have become sick after exposure to military burn pits. Their dangers are spotlighted in other news reports as well.
Details Of Biden’s Mental Health Plan Released
The White House followed up Wednesday with more information on the plan President Joe Biden announced during the State of the Union to focus on the nation’s mental health challenges amplified by the covid pandemic. The measures focus on children’s mental health, crisis care, increasing the mental health workforce and enforcing insurance parity laws.
White House Maps Out Its Strategy For Pandemic’s ‘New Normal’
A day after President Joe Biden told the nation it’s time to start shifting back to normal, the White House released details of its plan, providing more specifics on the new “test to treat” initiative. Other goals center around readying for future variants, avoiding shutdowns, and fighting the virus globally.
