Latest KFF Health News Stories
Obesity Drug Is Promising For Patients With Sleep Apnea, Eli Lilly Reports
In other news, a trade association issued new labeling guidelines for melatonin following a CDC report that children were requiring medical care after taking the dietary supplement.
Elevance Health Partners With Private Equity For New Primary Care Company
The insurer has partnered with Clayton, Dubilier & Rice to build a new company that’s focused on primary health care. Meanwhile, the FTC’s effort to block Novant Health’s $320 million acquisition of two hospitals is backed by North Carolina.
White House Launches Plan To React Quickly To Future Pandemics
Part of the strategy involves strengthening health partnerships with key countries around the world. Although the plan’s critics say it might not go far enough, President Joe Biden said, “it will make the United States stronger, safer and healthier than ever before.”
Montana Group Begins Signature Drive To Put Abortion On November Ballot
Montanans Securing Reproductive Rights must get 60,000 signatures by June 21 to qualify. Meanwhile, Arizona lawmakers on both sides of the aisle set their sights on repealing the state’s antiquated near-total ban.
UnitedHealth Skips Hearing Focused On Change Ransomware Attack
Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee raised questions about UnitedHealth Group’s cybersecurity practices, whether the insurer paid the ransom, and on the risks of industry consolidation. But the company did not send a representative to answer those queries.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers tackle H5N1, vaccine hesitancy, autism prevalence, and more.
Probe Of Mishandled Botox Shots Grows; 19 Women Sickened In 9 States
NBC News reported that the CDC is unsure whether the cases stem from fake products, contamination, or poor hygiene. Also in the news: weight-loss drugs, a treatment for Angelman syndrome, and more.
Supreme Court Lets Stand Idaho’s Ban On Gender-Affirming Care For Minors
The Washington Post reports on Monday’s development, noting it’s “the first time the justices have intervened on the contentious issue of transgender health treatments.” Also in the news: Planned Parenthood and puberty blockers; transgender veterans; and more.
Measles Cases Tick Up With Exposures In California, Illinois, And Ohio
And in covid updates, new data show those with fatal cases now more often are white and older. Researchers also have found evidence about why children are only mildly affected by the virus.
CMS Mulling Further Crackdown On Insurers’ Prior Authorization Policies
CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure agreed that patient and provider frustrations with insurers’ prior authorization requirements have risen in recent years, Modern Healthcare reports. Elevance, Cerebral, Cedars-Sinai, and other industry names are also in the news.
Biden Admin In A Time Crunch Over Health Policy Rules For Medicaid, More
In order to avoid the risk of key policy rules on Medicaid, tobacco, reproductive health, and more being repealed by the next Congress, the White House has “just weeks” to finalize its decisions, Axios notes. Separately, a new bill aims to repeal mandatory Medicaid estate collections.
New Phase Of Change Healthcare Attack Begins As Hackers Leak Data
RansomHub, a hacking group, is sharing pieces of data stolen in the Change Healthcare cyberattack as it seeks ransom payments. The data include hospital bills and company contracts, Axios says. Meanwhile, UnitedHealth took an $872 million profit hit from the February attack.
Time Off For Childbirth, Abortion Part Of Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
On Monday, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which enforces the law, released its final regulations detailing how the law will work. The workplace protections are what The 19th calls a “groundbreaking” change, with unpaid time off now allowed for recovery from childbirth or abortions.
No More $35 Cap: Legal Complexity Sinks Eli Lilly’s Insulin Deal
Reuters reports that an “unfavorable ruling” in the case has led to the settlement deal failing. The deal would have capped patient costs for insulin for four years at $35 a month.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: We Are Unprepared For The Coming Measles Outbreak; Why So Many ADHD Women Go Undiagnosed
Editorial writers tackle measles, ADHD, mental health, and more.
WHO Labels Hepatitis As World’s Second Most Deadly Infectious Disease
A WHO report states that over 6,000 people a day are infected with hepatitis around the world, and that progress to combat it has “stalled.” Separately, Nigeria is the first country in the world to roll out the new Men5CV vaccine for meningitis.
Pandemic Uptick Of Alcohol Health Issues Hit Middle-Aged Women Worst
New research shows that problems caused by increased alcohol consumption during the pandemic have impacted middle-aged women the hardest. Also in the news: lung cancer risks for some breast cancer patients, a device to treat tinnitus, lack of sleep, and more.
Kansas Governor Vetoes Bill Banning Minors’ Gender-Affirming Care
The bill would have banned gender-affirming care for minors, but the veto sets up a potential override with the Republican supermajority in the state legislature. Meanwhile, Philadelphia became the fourth city to ban the country’s biggest seller of “ghost gun” parts.
