Latest KFF Health News Stories
FDA Seeks Tool To Trace Sources Of Food Illness Outbreaks
Separately, a study shows superbugs are less likely to be found in organic meat. Warnings against eating cicadas if you have seafood allergy, athlete mental health, and suicides among young people suffering schizophrenia are also in the news.
Popular Tool For Childbirth Risks After C-Sections Loses Race Bias
The tool for calculating vaginal birth risks after cesarean sections had reported higher risks for pregnancies in non-white patients. Elsewhere, electronic health records in rural hospitals, Chicago’s Mercy Hospital, DispatchHealth and Johns Hopkins are also in the news.
Hospital Tried To Discharge Patients Without Telling Them, Records Show
In response, Rhode Island’s Eleanor Slater Hospital says it will toughen its policies. Other health care industry news is on the Scripps ransomware attack, expensive prescriptions, a convicted VA pathologist who lacked oversight and a nursing home manager accused of endangering residents.
Sackler Family Set To Avoid Future Opioid Lawsuits
Meanwhile, Kentucky is suing CVS for its role in supplying and distributing opioids. Vermont has also decriminalized possession of buprenorphine–used for treating opioid dependency.
New Rule Would Ban Some Baby Sleep Products Tied To Accidental Deaths
The Consumer Product Safety Commission aims to close a loophole that has allowed for an explosion in untested infant sleep products that conflict with federal safe sleep guidelines, The Washington Post reports. Other Biden administration news touches on OSHA, so-called Havana syndrome, HHS migrant shelters and more.
Senator Investigating AbbVie’s Taxes
Senate Finance Chair Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, has alleged that AbbVie “shifts profits offshore while reporting a domestic loss in the United States to avoid paying U.S. corporate income taxes.”
People Stuck In ‘Coverage Gap’ In States That Won’t Expand Medicaid
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution tells the stories of Georgians who can’t afford private insurance but don’t qualify for Medicaid. Other news comes out of Alabama, Vermont and Pennsylvania. And KHN interviews the new head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Federal Appeals Court Upholds Nationwide Moratorium On Evictions
The freeze was enacted by public health officials as a way to keep people in their homes and out of crowded homeless shelters during the pandemic.
New US Covid Infections At Lowest Level Since Pandemic Began
Florida’s hospitalizations are at the lowest point in a year, Iowa reports fewer than 100 new cases per day, and the Navajo Nation reports no additional deaths against a broader background of falling covid numbers across the country.
FDA Asks J&J, AstraZeneca For Safety Review After Plant Contamination
The Food and Drug Administration says it can’t rule out a low-level risk of cross-contamination between the two vaccines manufactured by contractor Emergent BioSolutions. In other vaccine news from the Biden administration: the White House science adviser looks to the next pandemic’s salvation and a CDC decision hamstrings investigations of breakthrough infections.
White House Poised To Begin Overseas Vaccine Donations
Unused doses of covid vaccines stored in the U.S. will soon be heading to nations experiencing vaccine shortages as the Biden administration finalizes its plans for sharing. Meanwhile, the European Union moves away from vaccine IP waivers.
More States Offer Shot Incentives Though Some Show Mixed Results
Money and prizes are offered up to residents in West Virginia and Ohio who get vaccinated, while Maine ends its current program after only 15% of eligible residents claimed their reward.
Biden Rallies Drive To Get Shots In 70% Of American Arms By July 4
Among the outside-the-box measures that are part of the White House’s “month of action”: Anheuser-Busch announced its “biggest beer giveaway ever” if Americans reach the goal.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: NIH Needed in Psychedelic Medicine Research; Texas Bill Is A Win For New Moms
Editorial pages weigh in on these public health issues.
Different Takes: A Kid’s Opinion On The Vaccine; Will Pharma Be Forced To Share Secrets?
Opinion writers tackle these covid vaccine issues.
Perspectives: While You Were Distracted, Big Pharma Raised Prices
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
UK’s Covid Daily Death Count Was Zero For First Time Since July 2020
The bank holiday weekend may have played a part in Tuesday’s data, but it’s the first zero-death day in almost a year. Separately, the World Health Organization approved the Sinovac vaccine for emergency use and Japan makes vaccination progress before the Olympics.
Out-Of-State People Seeking Abortions Bump Kansas’ 2020 Numbers
There were 9.1% more abortions in Kansas in 2020 than 2019, partly because patients from Oklahoma, Texas and elsewhere outnumbered local patients for the first time. Other news covers Florida’s anti-trans law, Oklahoma’s Medicaid system and more.
Report: AbbVie Raised Prices, Then Funded Ads Attacking Drug-Cost Legislation
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
