Latest KFF Health News Stories
Poll: Americans Overwhelmed By Stress
The annual poll by the American Psychological Association blamed the pandemic, inflation, and the invasion of Ukraine. High suicide rates among Latino men, deer tick virus, the benefits of affection from canine pets, racial gaps in cancer outcomes, and reconsidering thyroid cancer care are also in the news.
Court Supports Parents Of Trans Child In Texas ‘Abuse’ Case
Though Texan authorities wanted to investigate the parents under a punitive plan by Gov. Greg Abbott, an appeals court upheld an earlier ruling blocking the investigation. Federal action over Texas’ efforts is also expected to play out in the courts. In Idaho, lawmakers are trying an even more restrictive law, punishing parents seeking out-of-state transgender youth treatment.
Bill To Extend Postpartum Medicaid Coverage Dies In Mississippi House
Mississippi House Republican leaders refused to bring a bill to a vote that would have allowed mothers to stay on Medicaid for a year after giving birth. Currently they are covered for only two months. The legislation had already overwhelmingly passed the state Senate.
Judge Indicates Sacklers Will Pay Another $1.2B In Opioid Settlement
The family owns OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma, and during a hearing today, victims of the opioid crisis will have an opportunity to confront some family members directly. Other legal and illegal drug-related news comes from Michigan. Ohio, New York, South Dakota and Oregon.
Patient With First-Ever Gene-Modified Pig Heart Dies
The 57-year-old man died two months after becoming the first person to receive a genetically-modified pig heart, designed to prevent organ rejection. The cause of his death is still unclear, though reportedly his condition had been deteriorating in recent days.
Government Pressed On Patient Data Access Problems
Over 250 federal complaints have been filed against care providers alleging patients are being blocked from accessing electronic medical records. Separately, reports say Providence health system has had a much more severe year in 2021 than for 2020, doubling its operating losses.
EPA OKs Waiver Allowing California To Set Own Car Emission Standards
Reversing a Trump administration policy, the EPA restored California’s authority to regulate tailpipe pollution standards. The move paves the way for stricter emission standards there, as well as in other states that have signed on to California’s stricter goals. In other administration news, President Joe Biden nominates a new Indian Heath Services leader.
Unvaxxed United Airlines Employees Can Return To Work
Staff with exemptions will be allowed to return to work from unpaid leave or back-office reassignments at the end of March. Vaccine mandates and vax passport rules are also reported to be lifting across the country. Masking and mask mandate issues are also in the news.
Pfizer To Begin Testing Covid Pill In Younger Children
Paxlovid can already be prescribed as a prevention for severe illness in children 12 and up. Trial locations include Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas, according to clinicaltrials.gov.
As Covid Tracing Wanes, Cough Drop Sales Could Help Track Virus
A sore throat is a common symptom of the omicron variant, so a surge in sales of throat lozenges in any particular country or city could become a useful indicator of covid infections, some experts say.
Free School Meals Not Included In $1.5 Trillion Budget
The pandemic-era measure providing universal free meal waivers to school kids is set to expire on June 30 after an extension failed to make the cut for the massive spending bill. Democrats blame the exclusion on Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has not commented.
Democrats Strip Covid Funds From Spending Deal; Bill Passes House
In a surprise move, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Wednesday that the $15 billion earmarked for covid relief would be removed from the budget package. Pandemic measures in the legislation were contentious with both Democrats and Republicans, though for different reasons. Pelosi says a standalone coronavirus relief bill would be put to the floor this week.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Different Takes: Managing The Health Of Ukrainian Refugees; Ohio Laws Pertaining To HIV Are Outdated
Editorial writers examine these public health issues.
Viewpoints: Air Hygiene Is Important Tool In Covid Fight; How Do We Move Past Covid?
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid topics.
WHO Now Strongly Supports Booster Shots
Previously the World Health Organization had opposed covid booster shots for healthy people on the grounds that doses were needed by unvaccinated people in poorer nations. Meanwhile, the CDC has advised against travel to New Zealand, Hong Kong and Thailand because of outbreaks.
Perspectives: Cuban’s Rx Service Shows How Much Middlemen Mark Up Prices
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
New Docs Show J&J Funded Study That Injected Inmates With Asbestos In 1971
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Medicaid Request Approvals Take 99 Days In Missouri
KCUR reports on the slow speed of the approval process in Missouri and explains that even local officials cannot explain why. Meningitis shots for kids in Nevada, the resignation of Mississippi’s state health officer, mental health programs in New Hampshire, and more are also in the news.
Anger, Protests Increase As Florida Legislature Passes ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill
The bill bans classroom instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity for students in kindergarten through third grade, and it prohibits lessons for older grades unless they are “developmentally appropriate.” One Florida Republican, state Sen. Ileana Garcia, says the bill allows “children to be children.” But Democrats, including President Joe Biden, say the bill could do serious harm to marginalized students’ mental health.
