Latest KFF Health News Stories
Half Of Those With HIV In The US Live In Climate Change-Vulnerable Areas
The 19th reports that for those living with HIV, extreme weather events make it more difficult to stay on top of medications. In separate climate news, rising temperatures may propel a wider spread of tick-borne diseases. Also: Semaglutide shows success at improving liver fibrosis in a late-stage trial.
Trans People’s Bathroom Use Limited To ‘Biological Sex’ Facilities At Capitol
The rule change is in response to Delaware Democrat Sarah McBride’s election to Congress. No stranger to such actions, McBride said: “This effort to distract from the real issues facing this country hasn’t distracted me over the last several days.”
Health Care Industry Maneuvers Ahead Of Trump’s Planned Tariffs On Supplies
Industry leaders are hopeful that the threatened taxes won’t be imposed on items and pharmaceutical ingredients crucial to patient care. Also in the news: Affordable Care Act subsidies, prior authorization policies, health transparency rules, and more.
World Girds For Trump Abortion Policy
Global health officials wait to see whether the incoming administration will withhold funding from the United Nations Population Fund and other groups that offer abortion assistance abroad. Past Republican administrations have. Meanwhile, women worried that contraception won’t be covered after Trump takes office are racing to renew their IUDs.
Top Candidates For FDA, NIH Wait In The Wings As RFK Jr. Steals Spotlight
Marty Makary, a surgeon at Johns Hopkins, is considered a contender for the job of FDA chief, sources told Bloomberg. And Jay Bhattacharya of Stanford University, who once was the object of ex-NIH director Francis Collins’ scorn, has emerged as a contender to lead the agency. Plus: More on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Biden’s CMS Chief Warns That GOP’s Plans Will Hurt Low-Income Enrollees
Some say that putting TV star Dr. Mehmet Oz in charge of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services would be “devastating” for millions of Americans. Disability advocates warn that proposed changes would undermine the nation’s system of home and community-based services.
Kaiser Permanente To Downsize Headquarters In California
In other news, federal investigators found evidence that anti-discrimination laws at Cedars-Sinai may not have been followed for Black maternity patients. Also: Texas aims to create dementia research fund; patient care workers strike; and more.
First Edition: Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Texas Sues Health System For Stopping Off-Duty Cops From Carrying Guns
The lawsuit alleges it happened illegally at least 10 times at Memorial Hermann Health System facilities in Houston. In related news: Houston nurses say violence is on the rise at hospitals.
Viewpoints: Texas Makes Strides In Dementia Research; RFK Jr. Pick Rattles Public Health Officials
Editorial writers discuss dementia research and RFK Jr.
Biden Unlikely To Achieve Menthol Ban Before End Of Term
The FDA might still try to push through a proposal to curb nicotine levels in cigarettes in an attempt to lower their addictiveness. Still, it’s unlikely that a federal ban on menthol cigarettes will go into effect before Donald Trump takes office in January.
Change Healthcare’s Claims Center Is Back Online Months After Cyberattack
Change Healthcare is the largest clearinghouse for billing and payments in the U.S. The company is still working to restore other technology platforms affected by the ransomware attack in February.
Bay Area Child Recovering From Bird Flu Of Unknown Origin
Health officials are investigating whether wild birds might have infected the child, whose family members all tested negative. Meanwhile, as we head into cold and flu season, roughly 60% of Americans say they are skipping this fall’s updated covid jab.
Legislators Prod Texas To Add Exceptions To Abortion Ban
Two measures filed last week would allow doctors to intervene to preserve the mental or physical health of a patient or when the fetus has a catastrophic anomaly.
Wide-Ranging Bill Aimed At Expanding Veteran Care Outside VA Passes House
Stars and Stripes reports on the bill’s intent to expand private-sector health care for veterans, noting that among other elements, it addresses issues related to in-home care, mental health counseling, ambulance transportation, and breast screening. Also in the news from Capitol Hill: the bathroom bill introduced by GOP Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina.
Trump Chooses Dr. Mehmet Oz To Run Medicare And Medicaid Agency
A former cardiothoracic surgeon and professor at Columbia University, Dr. Oz is better known to the public as a TV personality and has no experience running a government agency. If confirmed as the CMS administrator, he would be influential in major policies around how states run their Medicaid programs and regulations on Medicare Advantage private plans.
First Edition: Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: We Are Failing In Our Bird Flu Response; RFK Jr. Plans To Destroy Health Protections
Editorial writers discuss current public health issues.
Smoking Rates Decline But Disparities Remain, Surgeon General Warns
A report released Tuesday by U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy shows higher rates of smoking among indigenous populations and people living in poverty. In other public health news: undiagnosed diabetes rates; the link between sitting and heart health; and more.
Study: 38% Of Surgical Patients Have Complications, 1 In 5 Are Preventable
CNN reports on a new study, published Thursday in the BMJ, which seems to suggest that hospitals haven’t made significant progress on patient safety. Other health industry news is on CVS Health, Ascension Wisconsin, UnitedHealth, and more.
