Latest KFF Health News Stories
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.
Viewpoints: Latin American Progress On Abortion Rights; Changing How We View Opioid Treatment
Editorial pages tackle these public health topics.
Different Takes: A Statistician’s View On Covid Vaccines For Kids Under 5; Another Look Into Aduhelm
Opinion writers weigh in on covid issues and Alzheimer’s.
Nevada Joins Low-Cost Northwest Prescription Drug Consortium
A low-cost prescription drug effort advances in Nevada. In New Mexico, a bill allows broad access to fentanyl test strips to combat drug deaths. In Missouri, $25 million went to a construction company to aid hospitals during covid. Other news comes from, Ohio, Florida, Utah, and North Carolina.
Virginia Republicans Delay Legal Pot Sales
A House of Delegates subcommittee voted along party lines to push a recreational marijuana sales bill until next year’s legislative session. In South Dakota, lawmakers also thwarted efforts toward recreational weed. Meanwhile, smokable legal medical marijuana is on sale in Minnesota starting today.
You Can Now Ask Alexa Some Telehealth Questions
Some virtual health services from Teladoc Health are now available over the Amazon voice assistant. In other news, Mayo Clinic reported a large operating surplus in 2021; a study links higher anesthetic costs to private equity-backed physician management companies; and more.
EpiPen Maker Agrees To $264 Million Antitrust Settlement
The settlement was for a class-action lawsuit alleging Viatris, formerly Mylan, acted illegally to monopolize the epinephrine auto-injector market. Meanwhile, UC Berkeley lost a patent case as the Patent and Trademark Office said CRISPR tech belongs to the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT.
Oregon Wrestles With High Drug Costs In Medicaid Program
Oregon withdrew its federal request to restrict the range of medications that the state’s Medicaid program has to cover, but says it is still looking for ways to lower costs. Other Medicaid news is reported from Ohio, Mississippi, Georgia, North Carolina and Colorado.
Study Shows Overdiagnosis Of 1 In 7 Breast Cancer Cases
Research from Duke University shows the potential paradox in over-diagnosing small breast cancer tumors. Progress in treating multiple myeloma using new drugs from makers Johnson & Johnson, and Janssen and Legend Biotech is also reported.
Life On Earth Will Be Hotter, Deadlier Sooner Than Thought, Report Warns
The report released Monday by a panel of U.N. experts says countries aren’t doing nearly enough to save the planet from climate hazards that will create unparalleled human suffering.
Concerns, Misinfo Swirl Online After CDC Tweaks Developmental Milestones
Some social media users are misleadingly saying that face masks are to blame for the new guidelines from the CDC. But some speech pathologists are also expressing skepticism over the updated guidelines, which delayed some speech and language goals to older ages.
Pandemic Suppressed US Birth Rates In Early 2021
The new 2021 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a 2% decline from the 1.78 million births reported for the first six months of 2020. Separately, the Abbott infant formula recall expands after another child fell ill and died after apparently consuming the formula.
