Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: It’s Time To Reexamine Covid Quarantine Rules; Fighting Covid With Lifestyle Medicine
Editorial writers examine these public health issues.
Perspectives: Vaccine Inequality Still A Global Problem
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Pembrolizumab Boosts Survival Rates For Some Head, Neck Cancers
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Polio, Covid, And More Could Surge In Ukraine Invasion
The Washington Post covers worries that the conflict, displacement of medical resources and refugee crisis could spark rise in diseases like polio and covid. The difficulties faced by Ukrainian surrogate mothers and births of babies in bomb shelters are also covered. CNN covers the psychology of how to talk to your kids about the situation in Ukraine.
North Carolina Governor Pushes To Expand Medicaid
Meanwhile, Georgia moves to restart a stalled medical marijuana program; a proposal to legalize recreational marijuana in Rhode Island is unveiled; and moves toward legalized weed in Pennsylvania are also reported. Also: mandated maternal death autopsies, lead in Montana schools’ water, and more.
Lawsuit Targeting Texas’ Anti-Trans Health Investigations Filed
Media outlets report on a lawsuit combating a Texas initiative to investigate parents who support gender-affirming care for their children, including accusations of levying “terror and anxiety” made against Gov. Greg Abbott. Anti-trans issues in Missouri, Indianapolis, and Utah are also in the news.
Study Links Premature Menopause To Dementia Risk
In the preliminary study, hitting menopause before 40 led to a 35% higher risk for developing dementia in later life. Also, separately, aging faster in adulthood is linked to being obese, smoking, or having a psychological disorder diagnosis in adolescence.
Georgia, Kentucky Lawmakers Try To Restrict Medication Abortions
A Georgia Senate bill was passed that requires a woman to see a physician in person before being given access to abortion pills, thus restricting the option to mail pills to women in need. Kentucky lawmakers also advanced efforts to restrict medication-by-mail abortions.
Nursing Staff Shortage, Driven By Pandemic, Likely To Get Much Worse
In North Carolina, an analysis shows the state could have 21,00 too few nurses by 2033. In Kentucky, a bill aims to boost nursing school enrollment to fight an oncoming shortage.
Credit Reports Of US Consumers Show $88 Billion Of Medical Debt
Separately, a report in Axios says the National Bureau of Economic Research found higher hospital prices aren’t necessarily correlated to better medical outcomes. A medical tech defamation lawsuit, pressures faced by medical tech startups, and more are also in the news.
In Supreme Court Opioid Pill Case, Hints Of Support For Doctors
The AP notes two doctors imprisoned for writing thousands of pain medication prescriptions in short periods may be favored by justices’ thinking. Stateline reports that states are likely to resist the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s proposal to ease opioid prescription restrictions.
Proof-Of-Vaccine Rules Set To Lift For Hawaii Travel
The lifting of covid travel restrictions to Hawaii will happen on March 26. Meanwhile, major cruise lines like Carnival and Norwegian are going mask-optional onboard ships. News outlets cover lifting, and maintenance, of mask mandates in other venues across the U.S.
What Causes Long Covid? New Study Offers Clues
Experts warned that the study, led by researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital and the National Institutes of Health, was very small and had “biased data.” Regardless, the results suggested that long covid might be driven by long-term nerve damage, NBC News reported.
Pfizer Vaccine Highly Effective During Omicron For Kids 5-11, New Data Show
The vaccine wasn’t very effective in stopping children from getting the disease. However, for those who did get sick, it was very effective at preventing severe illness.
Veteran Health, Nursing Home Safety Among Health Issues Biden Spotlights
President Joe Biden called on Congress and the Department of Veterans Affairs to do more to address health issues caused by military burn pit exposure. He also spoke on his proposed overhaul of nursing home regulations, in the wake of dangerous pandemic conditions.
Republican Rebuttal Echoes Criticisms Of Biden’s Pandemic Measures
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, chosen by Republicans to deliver the traditional post-State of the Union response, focused on debates surrounding schools including covid protections. News outlets report on other scenes from around the House chamber.
‘Test To Treat’ Program Aims To Make Antivirals Quicker To Access
President Joe Biden unveiled a new initiative that will provide free access to antiviral covid treatments for patients who test positive at designated pharmacies or community centers. Another round of free home tests was also announced.
‘New Moment’: Biden Voices Optimism On The State Of The Pandemic
During his State of the Union speech, President Joe Biden said that the tools are in place to allow most Americans to safely remove masks and restart normal activities. “Thanks to the progress we have made this past year, covid-19 need no longer control our lives,” he said, while also cautioning that the virus has not gone away.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
