Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers examine tampon tax and abortion issues.
Opinion writers weigh in on covid related issues and mental health topics.
Research Roundup: Heart Attacks; RSV; Covid; Psychotic Disorders
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Health Aide Shortage Impacting At-Home Care
NPR reports on low numbers of health aides and how this impedes seniors and people with disabilities from getting medical care at home. Charities paying-off of medical debt, housing aid for foster youths from insurers, plus corporate health system expansions, and other industry stories are also in the news.
Victims Of Food Shortages Hit Record Levels In 2021: UN
AP reports on staggering amounts of food shortages and hunger around the world last year. In mental health news, a survey finds that nearly half of young people identifying as LGBTQ+ considered suicide in the past year. Plus, the “most accurate” 3D model of female anatomy is revealed, and more.
Defense Lawyers Try Legal Trick In Flint Lead Water Case
AP reports on a significant challenge to charges against former Governor Rick Snyder and others in the case concerning toxic lead water in Flint, Michigan. Meanwhile, in California experts warn that the upcoming summer will bring “dangerous” extreme heat events as well as droughts and wildfires.
Lawmakers Advance Reforms Of Fast-Track FDA Drug Approvals
The latest legislation is “friendlier” to the pharmaceutical industry than previous drafts, but still cracks down on tricks used to speed new drugs through FDA processes. Separately, the agency warns of poor drug testing standards at a lab run by Miami University.
Scientist Dr. Mary Klotman Is A Lead Candidate To Head Up NIH
Reports say Dr. Mary Klotman, who is both a scientist and senior academic figure who has researched HIV, is in the running to head the National Institutes of Health. An article in Nature, meanwhile, suggests a number of ways the NIH could be rebooted with lessons from the pandemic.
FDA Fires Back At Pfizer: ‘No Evidence’ A Second Round Of Paxlovid Helps
At issue is how to help patients who suffer a relapse in symptoms. Also, new research suggests that wearing two face coverings doesn’t offer more respiratory protection.
US Has Hit 1M Covid Deaths, NBC Says; Omicron Assumptions Were Wrong
Using its own tally of fatalities, NBC was the only news organization to report Wednesday that the United States has surpassed the grim threshold. In other news, a large study has shown that the omicron variant actually is just as severe as previous variants, despite assumptions that it wasn’t.
Amid Leak Probe, Damage May Already Be Done To Inter-Court Trust
Who leaked the draft opinion? It’s what everyone wants to know, especially the Supreme Court marshal leading the investigation into the rare security breach. The FBI and Justice Department could also get involved, exacerbating tensions and mistrust sown inside the building. Legal watchers also say the breach will likely increase a damaging perception of a partisan court.
Maternal Deaths May Rise At Least 20% In 26 States Poised To Outlaw Abortion
Poverty and access to health care could inflate those number even higher. Meanwhile, battles over abortion are already heating up in state capitals across the nation.
Nationally, A Majority Support Abortion Rights. But It Differs State By State
News outlets look to the polls to take the pulse of America on abortion. In other related news: Canada offers Americans a haven, abortion groups report a spike in donations, corporations stay largely silent, and clinics plan their next steps.
Senate Dems Plan Abortion-Rights Vote; Republicans Avoid National Ban Talk
With midterm elections looming, both parties plot out abortion strategies to fire up their bases — or avoid inflaming the other side’s voters. The crucial role of legislatures and governors also comes into focus as the Supreme Court readies to hand over reproductive health responsibility to state governments.
Roe Abolition Would Threaten Vulnerable Communities: Experts
“Everyone who is vulnerable” — from people of color to victims of domestic violence — would be at risk if Roe v. Wade is overturned, says a report in the Boston Globe. And although GOP senators have said they won’t “wade into” same-sex marriage issues, Democrats have expressed worries over other rights, and the LGBTQ+ community is already feeling the effects, says a report at NBC News.
Provider Says Queries About Abortion Pills Already Spiking Upward
Telehealth service Aid Access reported an immediate threefold increase in requests for abortion pills or information on them through its website, according to Reuters. Other media outlets highlight likely further jumps in requests for the medication, as well as upcoming threats to this sort of abortion.
Biden Struggles To Find Ways To Protect Abortion And Reproductive Rights
The White House says it’s urgently exploring strategies to aid continued access to abortion and birth control, but news outlets report that the options are limited. President Joe Biden may need to turn to experimental approaches. Meanwhile, his historically conflicted position on abortion is also in the spotlight.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers weigh in on the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court draft leak.
