Latest KFF Health News Stories
Anthem Blue Cross Reverses Anesthesia Coverage Policy After Outcry
The insurance provider is dropping a proposed policy update that would have limited anesthesia coverage to an estimated time for a procedure. Meanwhile, Medical Economics reports that health care costs for businesses are increasing at a rate not seen in years.
CEO’s Slaying Lays Bare The Disdain People Feel About Insurance Industry
Social media lit up with comments like “thoughts and deductibles” in the days after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot dead in New York, exposing Americans’ frustration with health insurers that determine the breadth of care and coverage patients can receive.
First Edition: Friday, Dec. 6, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
EPA Proposes Limits On Pesticide Linked To Learning Disorders In Kids
The EPA is calling for limits to chlorpyrifos after a federal court overturned a ban on the pesticide last year. It has been linked to learning disorders in kids and is known to be harmful. Also, a study published Wednesday has linked exposure to lead in gasoline in childhood with increased mental health symptoms later in life.
Education Dept. Steps Up Pressure On All Schools To Create Cellphone Rules
To reduce mental health struggles, “every elementary, middle, and high school should have a clear, consistent, and research-informed policy,” Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in a written statement. He did not dictate what the policy should say. In other news: Texas could ban THC.
Trump Taps Fiserv’s Frank Bisignano To Head Social Security Administration
Also in the news: a spotlight on Pete Hegseth’s history with alcohol, a look at what could happen to Texas’ Medicaid program under the new administration, and more.
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of the latest health research and news.
Viewpoints: Roe Is Warning For Protecting Trans Care; DEI Bans Will Have Grave Effect On Health Care
Opinion writers discuss these public health issues and more.
In Surprise Move, Pharma Patent Rule Proposal Is Withdrawn
The rule was introduced to prevent companies from creating “patent thickets” — multiple patents with insignificant differences that hinder low-cost drugs from hitting the marketplace sooner. In other news: A prenatal blood test can hint at hidden cancer in the mom; a new therapy to treat pancreatic cancer; Zepbound vs. Wegovy; and more.
Most Rural And One-Third Of Urban Hospitals Have Closed Maternity Wards
The study, published Wednesday in JAMA, found that from 2010 through 2022, more than 500 hospitals closed their labor and delivery units. Other news is on health care costs for older Americans, CVS MinuteClinic locations in Utah, the important role of housekeepers at hospitals, and more.
Health Care Policy Compromise Elusive As Congressional Deadline Looms
Both sides will continue negotiating after Democrats spurned Republicans’ proposal to repeal the Biden administration’s nursing home staffing rule. Meanwhile, Republican Speaker Mike Johnson, who will have the narrowest House majority in history, would like to cut spending for PBS and Planned Parenthood.
Some Justices Signal Willingness To Let Transgender Care Bans Stand
Neil Gorsuch’s silence and Amy Coney Barrett’s impartial approach to questions during the hearing make it hard to predict which way the court will rule in the case regarding Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming treatment, The Wall Street Journal reports.
UnitedHealthcare CEO’s Killer Eludes Police As Industry Reels From News
News outlets report on the race to find the person who gunned down Brian Thompson on Wednesday in New York, the possible motive, the insurance industry’s shocked response, and the rise of an executive who kept a low public profile.
First Edition: Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
UnitedHealthcare Group CEO Thompson Shot, Killed In NYC
Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare Group’s insurance unit, was shot and killed in New York City on Wednesday morning, police have confirmed. He was in the city for the company’s annual investor conference, which was abruptly ended on news of the shooting.
Viewpoints: HPV Vaccine Is In Danger From RFK Jr.; Price Negotiations Needed For Weight Loss Drugs
Editorial writers delve into these public health topics.
Massachusetts Scores Big With ARPA-H Hub
Research universities, hospitals, and life sciences companies collectively received $276 million in federal funds after the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health opened in Cambridge last fall. In other news: The nationwide McDonald’s E. coli outbreak is officially over.
Study: Most Teens With Long Covid Recover After 2 Years
Researchers followed a large group of older kids and teens after they tested positive on a PCR test for covid, checking in every three months for symptoms of long covid. Most who developed the condition recovered fully after 24 months.
As Abortion Limits Take Hold, Covert Aid Groups Face Obstacles
The more states that put restrictive abortion measures in place, the harder it becomes for support groups to help women obtain the reproductive care they seek, The Atlantic reports.
Biden Seeks To Abolish ‘Sub-Minimum Wage’ For People With Disabilities
But the process to approve the rule change will spill into the Trump administration, which could abandon the effort. Approximately 38,000 workers would be affected by the change.
