Latest KFF Health News Stories
Read recent commentaries about pharmaceutical issues.
Viewpoints: We Aren’t Ready For H5N1; Factory Farming And Bird Flu Are A Dangerous Mix
Editorial writers tackle bird flu, contraception, vaping, and more.
Novo Nordisk Might Be Subpoenaed Over Drug Prices; Broad-Spectrum Antibiotic In The Works
Read recent pharmaceutical developments in KFF Health News’ Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Rape, Murder Incidents Down 26% As Overall US Violent Crime Rate Falls
Authorities say factors that led to crime surges during the covid pandemic are largely waning. Other news focuses on lung cancer screenings, women’s heart health, screen time, teen vaping, and more.
Mass. House Moves To End Mandate That Can Stigmatize Addiction Meds
Drug-exposed babies in Massachusetts must be reported by a medical professional to child welfare officials, even if the drug is a drug addiction treatment like methadone or buprenorphine. State lawmakers want to change that mandate.
Bipartisan State AG Group Presses Supreme Court To Hear PBM Case
The state attorneys general are asking justices to reconsider an August 2023 ruling finding that federal laws supersede state laws regarding policing pharmacy benefit managers. Stat digs into how PBMs influence drug pricing, and the battle between drug costs and effectiveness as treatments.
Official Long Covid Definition Puts Everyone In Sync About Disease
“A consensus definition could promote consistency in diagnosis, aid awareness efforts, help patients access appropriate care, services, and benefits, and help harmonize long covid research and surveillance,” the authors of the definition wrote.
Bill Suggests Prison Time For Corporate Greed Crimes In Health Care
Democratic Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey’s introduced bill would offer more methods for investigating health care top brass accused of corporate exploitation. Meanwhile, Steward Health Care has found $225 million in emergency funding.
Abortion-Related Content Withdrawn By Tech Platforms, Groups Contend
In looking for transparency, abortion groups and women’s health advocates say they’ve noticed an uptick in the number of posts and accounts deleted or flagged from sites since Roe v. Wade was overturned. A pro-life group says it has encountered similar issues.
Experts Watch Evolution Of Bird Flu With A Worried Eye On Humans
Coverage of the H5N1 bird flu is on infections in dairy cattle in Wyoming, wastewater detections in Houston, Michigan’s “robust” public health response, and more.
Federal Judge Rules Florida’s Minor Gender Care Ban Is Unconstitutional
Tallahassee-based district court Judge Robert L. Hinkle ruled that Florida’s governor and lawmakers were not acting in the interest of public health. But in Texas, Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the Biden administration over a new federal rule protecting gender care.
CFPB Releases Proposed Rule To Ban Medical Debt From Credit Reports
The Biden administration regulation, if implemented, would reduce tens of millions people in the U.S. with medical debt listed on their reports down to zero — and could raise their credit scores by an average of 20 points.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: SCOTUS Must Uphold EMTALA; First They Voted Down Roe, Now Contraception Is Up For A Vote
Editorial writers examine reproductive health care, vaccine side effects, cancer detection, and more.
Illinois Plaintiff Drops Zantac Case; GSK Asks To Appeal Delaware Cases
GSK said a plaintiff in an Illinois lawsuit voluntarily dismissed her case. The company, along with other drugmakers, also asked for permission to appeal a Delaware ruling that allowed over 70,000 other cases claiming Zantac causes cancer to proceed.
Two Abbott Glucose Monitors Can Be Sold Over The Counter: FDA
Abbott Laboratories has been cleared to sell a device for health-conscious people and another for diabetes, both over the counter. Meanwhile, booming weight-loss drugs are thought to spur demand for dietary supplements and healthier food formulations.
C. Diff Commonly Spreads In Households With Infants, Study Finds
Other science- and research-related news covers statin usage; heat waves and heart attacks; women in medical research; music therapy for stroke survivors; and more.
FDA Warns Of Risks From Shellfish Poisoning, Mushroom Chocolate Bars
Shellfish from Oregon and Washington state may be contaminated with toxins that can cause paralytic poisoning, with at least 31 people in Oregon sickened so far. Meanwhile, Diamond Shruumz-brand Microdosing Chocolate Bars have sickened at least eight people.
Suicides Increase In US, With Guns Being Used Majority Of The Time
Moreover, gun suicides have consistently outpaced gun homicides, data show. The New York Times takes a closer look at Montana, a state struggling with the highest suicide rate in the nation.
With Key Lawmakers On Board, Senate Poised To Block Nursing Home Staffing Rule
Sens. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Joe Manchin (I-W. Va.) are sponsoring a bill, that all Republicans are expected to support, to override President Joe Biden’s minimum staffing mandate for nursing homes. Biden has the votes to uphold a veto of the resolution.
