Latest KFF Health News Stories
Industry Leaders Back Policy Allowing Interstate Health Care Professionals
Texas is being encouraged to join existing interstate compacts, which would allow health care workers from nine professions to practice in other states and out-of-state workers to come to Texas. Other health industry news is on furloughs, contract deals, updates on the J.P. Morgan conference, and more.
First Edition: Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
After 2 Deaths, Philips Recalls Software That Mishandled Some EKG Readings
Another 109 people reported injuries after using the remote cardiac monitoring software, Modern Healthcare reported. Other pharmaceutical and tech news is on the FDA’s drug approval system and a rapid diagnostic test for bloodstream infections.
Viewpoints: GOP Plan To ‘Make America Healthy Again’ Would Have The Opposite Effect
Opinion writers discuss these public health topics.
Newly Sworn In, W.Va. Governor Immediately OKs Vaccine Exemptions
On his first full day in office, Republican Gov. Patrick Morrisey approved religious exemptions from school vaccinations. Also: the threat of contaminated water from the California wildfires; a new Mississippi law that stops people from being jailed while awaiting mental health care; and more.
Trump Administration Could Squelch Biomedical Innovation, Experts Warn
Although some concede reforms are needed at the National Institutes of Health, and specifically the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, overhauling the agency whose research saves lives is a concern. ProPublica explains why.
Biden Team Begins Cooperation With Trump Officials On Bird Flu Response
“We sent them all of the information on our work,” a Biden health official told NBC News. Public health officials raise concern that a lack of coordination could imperil the response to the emerging H5N1 threat. Other news is on the current norovirus wave and MIS-C recovery.
Insurers Won’t Be Required To Cover Free OTC Birth Control After All
The Biden administration ran out of time to expand contraception coverage under the Affordable Care Act, The 19th reports. It’s not likely the incoming Trump administration would support such a mandate. More news is about abortion pill stockpiles, an OB-GYN mobile van, Meta’s LGBTQ+ policy, and more.
A Drink A Day Might Be Fine. More Than That? Not So Much, Study Finds.
The risk of premature death increases when people consume a couple of drinks a day, an HHS report says. A trade group disagrees, arguing the report is “rife with bias and conflicts of interest.” And in other health news, a federal judge has temporarily blocked a new warning label on cigarettes.
FDA Wants Easier-To-See Nutrition Labels On Most Packaged Foods, Drinks
The proposal would require brands to list sodium, sugar, and fat on the fronts of packages in an effort to help people make better choices. Also in the news: A possible overhaul in how obesity is defined.
FTC Finds Top Three PBMs Took In Billions From Inflated Drug Costs
During a roughly five-year span, CVS Health, Cigna, and UnitedHealth benefited the most from increasing prices for generic drugs that treated illnesses such as HIV and cancer. Some of the price hikes topped 1000%. Other news is on the price of drugs under Trump; how the shift to online therapy has worsened disparities in care; and more.
First Edition: Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
TB-Infected Pennsylvania Teen Returns To School, Putting Contacts On Notice
The student, who was awaiting clearance from a doctor to return to normal activities, was promptly isolated and sent home, officials assured. Meanwhile, as flu and RSV cases remain high across the country, covid ramps up. Also, Chinese scientists are studying a potentially novel tickborne virus.
Staggering Increase In Dementia Cases Predicted By 2060, New Study Shows
By 2060, 1 million adults per year will develop dementia, according to a study published in Nature Medicine. Also in the news, chronic cannabis use may lead to chronic illness; Eli Lilly hopes to release a new weight loss pill; and more.
Some Health Care Facilities Still Closed As Deadly Fires Tear Through Calif.
Doctors are advising those who are pregnant to limit exposure to smoke and toxins. Also, fires are releasing harmful heavy metals and toxins into the air that firefighter gear is not equipped to filter. Other news is on medical marijuana in Illinois; non-doctors training to provide abortions; and more.
Truveta Says It Will Create Huge Archive Of Patients’ Genetic Data
The health data company, based in Bellevue, Washington, plans to collect leftover specimens from consenting patients who get routine health care at participating facilities, Stat reported. Also in the news: Neuralink, J&J, Bayer, Nvidia, Amazon Web Services, and more.
Conn. Governor Vows Hospitals To Stay Open Through Prospect Bankruptcy
Prospect Medical Holdings filed for bankruptcy Saturday, but officials in Connecticut are reassuring residents and employees that the local hospitals won’t close. Other news includes: incentives for nursing home jobs; a Gallup poll on the most trusted professions; and more.
With Days To Go, Biden’s Unfinished Business Includes 3 Health Care Rules
The fates of regulations regarding Medicare, remote prescribing, and the No Surprises Act appear likely to fall to the incoming Trump administration. Meanwhile, opposition to Health and Human Services nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. swells as he awaits his Senate confirmation hearing.
CMS Finalizes Rule To Crack Down On Obamacare Plan-Switching Schemes
The final rule includes an update to the consent form agents and brokers provide to customers and also makes it easier for CMS to suspend agents and brokers who market exchange plans, Modern Healthcare reported. The policy changed after KFF Health News reported that brokers were switching people without their permission.
Viewpoints: Medicaid Could Work With These Improvements; Regulation Would Make Raw Milk Less Risky
Opinion writers discuss these public health topics.
