Latest KFF Health News Stories
Southerners Soon May Be One Abortion Crisis Away From Financial Ruin
With farther to go and travel assistance funds already under strain, urgent abortion care might become out of reach for many women when Florida’s abortion ban goes into effect this week. Meanwhile, some cities in Texas and California are throwing up more barriers for abortion care.
WHO Advisers Say Next Covid Vaccine Should Use Monovalent JN.1 Lineage
CIDRAP reports on the advisory group meeting earlier this month, where the experts predicted that in the near term, circulating variants of covid will likely be derived from JN.1. Also in the news about infectious disease: a covid booster’s impact on odds of long covid; what we’re learning about H5N1 bird flu virus infections in cows; and more.
California Will Make Available Free Opioid Overdose-Reversal Medicine
First responders and other eligible groups will receive a generic drug to combat overdoses. Elsewhere, as Colorado contemplates prescription drug cost controls, patients and their caregivers fear a future without the meds they need to survive.
State Health Plans Can’t Exclude Gender-Affirming Surgery, Court Rules
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit ruled Monday that North Carolina’s and West Virginia’s denial of health care services for transgender patients by government insurance was discriminatory.
Labs Developing Medical Tests Will Now Face Some FDA Scrutiny
Historically, such tests escaped federal regulation because they were considered low risk. But after the Theranos debacle, and as lab-developed tests become more complex and test for important things like genetic conditions, the FDA will start regulating them more. About 12,000 labs are affected, and legal action challenging the change is expected.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
FTC Set To Tighten Rules On Health Apps Sharing Users’ Data
The Federal Trade Commission has finalized its Health Breach Notification Rule, emphasizing that it applies to health apps, in an effort to limit how sensitive user data is shared with other companies. Also in the news: Centene updates prior authorization; growing financial differences between hospitals; and more.
Menthol Cigarette Ban Temporarily Dropped In White House Reversal
Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has not said when or if the administration will reconsider the controversial ban, Roll Call notes, and did not discuss a similar proposed ban on flavored cigars. Also in the news: Pfizer’s $3.5 million gene therapy price, eye drop superbug affects dogs, and more.
Viewpoints: We Have No Idea How Many Humans Have Bird Flu; Finally, OTC Birth Control Is On Shelves
Editorial writers discuss H5N1 in humans, birth control, veterans’ health care, and more.
Police Sedation Practice Left Dozens Of Detainees Dead, Investigation Finds
Injections intended to calm people who are being restrained and “reduce violence and save lives has resulted in some avoidable deaths,” according to a special report by the Associated Press, Frontline, and the Howard Centers for Investigative Journalism.
Unusual, Severe Symptoms Reported By Doctors Treating Syphilis
Vision issues, headaches, and hearing loss are among unusual symptoms being reported in the current syphilis surge. Separately, reports detail how St. Louis, facing the highest syphilis rates per capita in any Missouri county, will tackle the outbreak.
30% Of Teens Who Denied Suicide Risk During Survey Later Killed Themselves
The study examined youths ages 13-17 who filled out the commonly used Personal Health Questionnaire (PHQ), which is used to screen for depression severity. In other news, Norway found that bullying decreased dramatically when schools banned smartphones.
Texas Slipped Up: Bid Data ‘Leak’ Triggered A Medicaid Contract Spat
The Texas Tribune reports on a contractual and legal muddle stirred up when the state Health and Human Services agency mistakenly sent rival health plans’ data to insurance giant Aetna — which was set to win the local Medicaid contract. Meanwhile, Kansas blocked Medicaid expansion.
Interstate Abortion Access Coming Down To One Thing: How You Vote
Voters in nearly a dozen states will weigh in on whether abortion restrictions should be reversed. Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell doesn’t think his colleagues would have enough votes to pass a national abortion ban.
Another Covid-Era Requirement On Hospital Data Collection Ends
Hospitals are no longer required to collect and report respiratory disease data related to admissions and other stats, marking another milestone in the nation’s recovery from the covid pandemic.
FDA Testing So Far Finds Milk Pasteurization Kills Bird Flu
Dairy cows in Colorado tested positive for bird flu, adding a ninth state to the list where it’s been detected. The FDA plans to continue to test milk samples, but so far has found that the pasteurization process makes it safe from the virus.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Should Kidney Donors Be Paid?; New Weight-Loss Drugs Could Treat Many More Ailments
Editorial writers examine organ donation, weight-loss drugs, gender-affirming care, and more.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on eyesight, postpartum care, nutrition labels, mosquito nets, and more.
Study: Breast Cancer Diagnosis Linked To High Risk Of Second Cancers
People with breast cancer are also found to be at higher risk for developing cancer in unaffected breast tissue, plus ovarian cancer and a form of leukemia. Also in the news: high levels of food recalls, salmonella in some frozen chicken products, sugar in school meals, and more.
