Latest KFF Health News Stories
Research Roundup: Pan-Coronavirus Vaccine; Long Covid; Supplemental Vitamin D; Cell Movement
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Heat Wave Duration Records May Fall In Pacific Northwest
Dangerous triple-digit heat forecasts extend into the weekend for parts of the Northwest. In Texas, Sen. Ted Cruz has words on a law banning gay sex; an anti-vax doctor is suing over defamation; and Gov. Greg Abbott is setting aside $1.25 million for counseling after the Uvalde shooting.
The Pandemic Traveling-Nurse Money Train Halts
The Wall Street Journal reports on the status of the traveling nurse industry. Separately, Modern Healthcare covers Medicare pay hikes for some health care sectors. Other industry news covers Cassava Sciences, antimicrobial resistance, approval for a drug to treat kids’ kidney disease, and more.
Obesity Protection Later May Come From Being Breastfed Longer
Meanwhile, other research makes progress on the production of artificial human eggs and on the question of why men die younger than women. Uterine cancer rates, telehealth treatment of veterans, treatments for opioid use disorder, and various covid studies are also reported.
Gun Manufacturers Defend Industry At Hearing; AR-15s Made Makers $1B
News outlets report on how gun manufacturers faced questions, including from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, on gun violence and white supremacy. AP notes the AR-15 weapons used in recent mass shootings were big earners for a decade. HIV/AIDS cures, vitamin D and more are also reported.
As Opioids Claim More Lives, FDA’s Internal Review Faces Scrutiny
Also in the news about opioids: proposed legislation aimed at helping older adults addicted to opioids and a lawsuit settlement from AbbVie’s Allergan. Meanwhile, legislation is approved in a bipartisan vote by the House for PFAS research and a bill to help veterans access health and disability benefits is delayed in the Senate.
Key Health Measures Make Cut Of Surprise Spending Package Deal
Sens. Chuck Schumer and Joe Manchin have reached agreement on a long-stalled economic package to raise taxes and address domestic spending goals. Health items include prescription drug pricing reforms that would allow Medicare to negotiate prices and cap out-of-pocket costs at $2,000. Tax credits that help lower health insurance costs would also be extended another three years.
Biden, Negative For Covid, Tells Americans To Get Their Shots
Meanwhile, media outlets report on standards at the Food and Drug Administration concerning covid vaccines and accusations the BA.5 booster strategy may be flawed. Separately, warnings that millions of school kids remain unvaxxed, and a reminder many people still can’t smell after covid infections.
Bacteria That Causes Melioidosis Found In US Soil, Water For The First Time
The bacteria, Burkholderia pseudomallei, was discovered in Southern Mississippi, leading the CDC to put U.S. doctors on alert. “This is a big deal because clinicians generally speaking only consider melioidosis in patients who have recent travel to an endemic area like Thailand, South Asia, Australia,” Julia Petras, an epidemic intelligence service officer with CDC’s bacterial special pathogens branch, told STAT.
HHS: Nearly 800,000 Monkeypox Shots Available From Today
Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said the release of the shots was part of a plan to “aggressively” tackle monkeypox. Separately, the Food and Drug Administration cleared an extra facility in Denmark to make still more shots, but one senator wants more.
Conservatives Divided On Exceptions To Abortion Bans
As many Republican-controlled legislatures draft abortion bans, fissures are emerging over questions like whether exceptions should be included in cases of rape or incest, or to save the life of a mother. Other abortion stories focus on VA services and deadly infections.
Birth Control Access Bill Blocked In Senate By Republican
A request to pass by unanimous consent a bill codifying federal rights to contraception was blocked by Sen. Joni Ernst, a Republican from Iowa. Democrats warn that some states will start restricting birth control and those measures could be held up by the currently constituted Supreme Court.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Perspectives: More Focus Needed On Antibiotic Resistance; The Risks Of Criminalizing Meds
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Viewpoints: Will Congress Pass Medicaid Expansion?; The Time To Reign In Monkeypox Is Now
Editorial writers discuss Medicaid, monkeypox, covid vaccines and DEI.
Monkeypox Vaccine Gains European Approval; Enhertu Shows Promise Treating HER2-Low Breast Cancer
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Pacific Northwest Scorches, And It’ll Last For Days
Seattle and Portland are under heat advisories, with the region expected to suffer extreme heat until the weekend. Meanwhile, in Massachusetts some operating rooms are having to close due to hospital staff shortages, and in Virginia staffing issues have hit air ambulance services.
To Resolve Veteran Hearing Loss Lawsuit, 3M Sets Aside $1B
NBC News reports on how a lawsuit centering on earplug protection for U.S. service makers has impacted maker 3M. The high income of health care CEOs, sales of new heart drugs, GSK’s profits, Biogen’s ALS therapy, health insurance pricing data, and more are also in industry news.
Study: Some Prescription Meds Can Impact Driving As Much As Drinking
Health News Florida reports on a new national survey by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, which highlights the risk of taking some prescription and over-the-counter meds before driving. Meanwhile, other research found air pollution likely contributes to higher disease risks, including dementia.
Biden Done With Paxlovid, Symptoms ‘Almost Completely Resolved’
President Joe Biden’s doctor says he’s “well enough to resume his physical exercise regimen.” Separately, Biden’s administration unveils heat.gov and extends postpartum care in three additional states. Also in the news: same-sex marriage, LGBTQ nondiscrimination, another opioid maker heads toward a deal, and more.
