Latest KFF Health News Stories
Cigna-Humana Merger Might Only Happen If Trump Wins Election
As Bloomberg notes, the Biden administration has previously moved to block some large health care deals. Several analysts say the only way forward is if Donald Trump is in charge. Meanwhile, some female health care workers would prefer Democrat Kamala Harris for president: “We have seen what happened in the first administration under Trump,” one said.
Infant Death Rates Higher Than Expected In Months After Dobbs Decision
Researchers examining data from the 18 months after the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade have found a 7% absolute increase in infant mortality. That number is higher for babies with birth defects like heart abnormalities, spina bifida, and other disorders.
First Edition: Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
More Reason To Get Vaxxed: Research Ties Dementia To Flu, Other Infections
The new study, lauded as “a leap beyond previous studies,” found that severe infections can lead to long-term cognitive problems. In other news about the brain, the military has begun testing new ways to protect troops from the effects of blasts.
Cases of ‘Walking Pneumonia’ And RSV Are Increasing In Children
The CDC said the cases of Mycobacterium pneumoniae in kids ages 2-4 are notable because the illness “historically hasn’t been recognized as a leading cause of pneumonia in this age group.” Plus: concerns about yellow fever, malaria, listeria, and more.
After Helene, Clean Water Is Main Concern In North Carolina
Conditions are improving, but some nursing homes still don’t have running water. Also: prevention measures for overdoses and suicides, psychiatry options for the unhoused, and more.
FDA Backtracks; Pharmacies Continue With Knockoff Weight Loss Drugs
The Washington Post reports that intense public backlash and a lawsuit led the FDA to reconsider its declaration, made two weeks ago, that the shortage of weight loss drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound is over. The flip allows compounding pharmacies to continue making unbranded copies while the FDA reevaluates its decision.
Acadia Healthcare Under Scrutiny By VA Over Alleged Fraud Scheme
The psychiatric hospital chain is accused of extending stays of patients longer than medically necessary and profiting from U.S. insurance programs in the process. Other industry news covers a potential Cigna-Humana merger, elder care services, and more.
The Prospect Of RFK Jr. On Trump’s Health Policy Team Unnerves Some
“It scares the bejesus out of me because he is really, I would say, one of the big leaders in an anti-science philosophy that we see in this country — which is really concerning, deeply concerning,” one biotech investor says.
Biden Administration Advances Plan For Free OTC Contraceptives
Birth control, condoms, emergency contraception, and other products would be covered by insurance under the proposed rule. “We have made clear that in all 50 states, the Affordable Care Act guarantees coverage of women’s preventive services without cost sharing,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said.
First Edition: Monday, Oct. 21, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Theories Were Wrong About Kids And Covid; Do Psychedelics Live Up To The Health Hype?
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. Today’s selections are on euthanasia, C. elegans, starch, an interview with Robert Califf, and more.
Shingles Infection Might Play A Role In Dementia, Study Finds
Researchers examine the cause and effect of the viral infection on the brain. In other mental health news, 988 crisis hotline callers will now be directed to nearby call centers.
Texas Sues Pediatrician, Alleges Illegal Treatment For Transgender Children
The New York Times reports that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton described the lawsuit as the state’s first enforcement action under a 2023 state law. Other news from around the nation comes from New York City, Michigan, North Carolina, and elsewhere.
Your Flu Shot Is Missing Something This Year — And You’ll Be Glad For It
NPR reports that the FDA is not including one of the strains of flu — B/Yamagata — in this year’s recipe because covid prevention initiatives appear to have pushed it into oblivion. Meanwhile, whooping cough reaches its highest spread since 2014. Have you updated your Tdap shot? You need it every 10 years, the CDC says.
Editorial writers delve into these public health issues.
CVS Ousts CEO Amid Company’s Struggles To Drive Up Profits, Stocks
CVS announced Friday that CEO Karen Lynch will be replaced by David Joyner, as consumer spending drops at the company’s retail pharmacies and Aetna, its insurance unit, faces higher medical costs.
Former Medicare Chief Warns About Medicare Advantage Pay Rates
Donald Berwick, who ran Medicare during the Obama administration, says Medicare Advantage plans run by private insurers need a lot more regulation. He suggests a two-pronged system fix that would take the overpayments out of MA and use that money to cover vision, dental, and hearing service in traditional Medicare, Stat says.
Tennessee Doctors Who Do Emergency Abortions Shouldn’t Fear Punishment, Judges Say
Although a panel of Tennessee judges agrees that providers can’t be punished in the professional realm, they noted physicians still may face criminal charges. Meanwhile, a federal judge clamped down on Florida’s threat to go after networks that run abortion ads, calling the action “unconstitutional coercion.”
