Pharma and Tech: Nov. 21, 2024
Florida Gov. DeSantis’ Canadian Drug Import Plan Goes Nowhere After FDA Approval
Phil Galewitz
Florida sued the FDA over what it said was a “reckless delay” in approving its drug importation plan. Now, nearly a year after the FDA gave the state the green light, the program has yet to begin.
Listen: A Tussle With a Rattlesnake Can Take a Bite Out of Your Wallet
Jackie Fortiér
Listen to KFF Health News' Jackie Fortiér recount how a backyard snakebite led to a harrowing hospitalization — and big bills — for a San Diego family.
No Evidence Trump’s Drug Program for Terminal Patients Saved ‘Thousands’ of Lives
Jacob Gardenswartz
Though the former president has repeatedly hyped the impact of his experimental drug program, there’s no basis for his claims in government data, and medical experts say he’s exaggerating.
What’s at Stake: A Pivotal Election for Six Big Health Issues
Arthur Allen and Phil Galewitz and Julie Rovner and Daniel Chang
Health care has ebbed and surged as an election issue throughout the presidential campaign. Here are the ways some of the most consequential changes in health policies could hinge on whether Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump wins.
Medicare Drug Plans Are Getting Better Next Year. Some Will Also Cost More.
Susan Jaffe
Every year, Medicare officials encourage beneficiaries to shop around for their drug coverage. Few take the time. This year, it might be more important than ever.
Helene and CVS Land Double Whammy for 25,000 Patients Who Survive on IV Nutrition
Arthur Allen
A Massachusetts woman ended up stranded in the hospital because CVS stopped providing the IV nutrition she needs to survive at home. Without it, she’d starve.
Ex-Eye Bank Workers Say Pressure, Lax Oversight Led to Errors
Madelyn Beck, WyoFile and Rae Ellen Bichell
Corneas, the windshields of the eye, are the most transplanted part of the human body. But four former employees at Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank told of numerous retrieval problems, including damage to eyes and removal from the wrong body.
Nationwide IV Fluid Shortage Could Change How Hospitals Manage Patient Hydration
Jackie Fortiér
Many U.S. hospitals are conserving critical intravenous fluid supplies to cope with a shortage that may last months. Some hospital administrators say the shortage accelerated their plans to change IV fluid hydration protocols altogether.
Does Fluoride Cause Cancer, IQ Loss, and More? Fact-Checking Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Claims
Samantha Putterman, PolitiFact
Research has generally shown that drinking fluoridated water at the recommended levels is safe and beneficial for oral health, especially in children. But many people feel that more research is needed to better understand whether and when health risks kick in.
As California Taps Pandemic Stockpile for Bird Flu, Officials Keep Close Eye on Spending
Don Thompson
California health officials began providing protective clothing to farmworkers months before the state’s first bird flu transmission to humans was announced in October. It’s a reminder of the state’s struggle to remain prepared for health threats amid multibillion-dollar deficits.
12 States Promised To Open the Books on Their Opioid Settlement Funds. We Checked Up on Them.
Aneri Pattani
Victims of the opioid crisis, health advocates, and public policy experts have repeatedly called on state and local governments to transparently report how they’re using the funds they are receiving from settlements with opioid makers and distributors.
Journalists Address Opioid Settlements, Undiagnosed ADHD, and a Georgia Chemical Fire
KFF Health News and California Healthline staff made the rounds on national and local media in the last two weeks to discuss topical stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
Beneficiarios de Medicare gastarán menos en medicamentos en 2025
Susan Jaffe
El período de inscripción anual para que los beneficiarios de Medicare renueven o cambien su cobertura de medicamentos, o elijan un plan Medicare Advantage, comenzó el 15 de octubre y se extiende hasta el 7 de diciembre.