Latest KFF Health News Stories
CDC Says Only High-Risk Monkeypox Patients Should Get Tpoxx
At a White House briefing, Dr. Anthony Fauci mentioned the risk of causing mutations in the monkeypox virus through the use of antivirals, and indicated a new study will monitor for mutation warnings. Meanwhile, a survey showed monkeypox awareness grew during summer.
Use Of 2 Covid Treatments ‘Strongly’ Discouraged By WHO
Characterizing the therapies as obsolete since omicron emerged, the World Health Organization withdrew its conditional endorsement for two of Regeneron and GSK’s antibody treatments. In other pandemic news, some scientists say we’ve reached the point where covid is no more lethal than flu.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: New Malaria Vaccine Sorely Underfunded; The Important Role Of Pharmacists
Editorial writers examine these public health issues.
Opinion writers weigh in on Lindsey Graham’s 15 week abortion ban as well as the new covid bivalent boosters.
LGBTQ+ Patients Say Doctors Discriminate Against Them
A survey finds that LGBTQ+ people report more experiences of medical discrimination than cisgender people. Meanwhile, a study suggests multivitamins may have a role in improving seniors’ cognition. Also: the risks of sitting, a Starbucks recall, and more.
Research Roundup: Covid; Dementia; Pain Management
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
California Governor Signs Law Enabling Some Forced Mental Health Care
AP says the new law could “force” some of the 100,000 unhoused people in California into treatment, a move critics say is cruel. The law could also be used in instances where people have been diagnosed with particular disorders, such as schizophrenia. Other news is from Alaska, Michigan, Georgia, Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Montana.
Despite mRNA Advances, An HIV Vaccine Is Still Far Off
A leading scientist from South Africa is warning that though the pandemic accelerated progress of using mRNA in vaccines, using the tech against HIV will still take a long time. Also: key appointments at Philip Morris, threats to a judge over J&J’s bankruptcy, and clinical trial diversity.
US Will Spend Over $2B To Back White House Biomanufacturing Plan
The plan, outlined with new details Wednesday, is about expanding drug manufacturing capabilities in the U.S., with an eye on future pandemic responses. Meanwhile, Roll Call notes “pandemic fatigue” may threaten funding efforts in the battle against monkeypox. The polio outbreak is also reported.
Study: If Your Doctor Is Burned Out, Your Safety May Be At Risk
The Press Association reports that the study, conducted by researchers at the University of Manchester in the U.K., links burned-out doctors with a higher incidence of patient safety issues. Other news on health care personnel issues is on the Minnesota nurses strike, mental health workers in Colorado, violence in hospitals and more.
Review Of Joint Commission’s Standards Planned
The Joint Commission will assess all of its accreditation requirements, similar to how the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have been doing for requirements waived during the covid pandemic. Other industry news comes from Cleveland, Houston, and Atlanta.
House Passes Medicare Advantage Reform Bill; It Now Heads To Senate
The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act strives to make it easier for seniors to get care and to modernize the process of prior authorizations. For example, the current process often still requires using fax machines to send documents to insurance companies.
Monkeypox Antiviral Overuse Could Spur Mutations, Warns FDA
The Food and Drug Administration is warning doctors to be judicious in prescribing tecovirimat, or Tpoxx, to avoid forcing the virus to mutate. Separate reports say the number of Black men diagnosed with monkeypox is rising. And an Iowa nurse was fired for improper vaccine shots.
Ohio Abortion Ban Temporarily Halted
Judge Christian Jenkins said it was “no great stretch” to see that Ohio law “recognizes a fundamental right to privacy, procreation, bodily integrity, and freedom of choice in health care decision making,” he wrote in the ruling. The state’s ban on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy will be suspended for at least 14 days.
Pharmacist Bill Introduced As Republicans Walk Abortion Tightrope
Republican House members introduced legislation Wednesday that would counter Biden administration guidance to pharmacists on dispensing contraception and abortion drugs. Like the proposed federal 15-week ban introduced in the Senate the day before — and now signed on to by Sen. Marco Rubio but dividing others in the party ahead of the midterms — the bill is not expected to advance unless Republicans regain congressional control next term.
Prominent Covid Data Tracker Will Start Scaling Back
Johns Hopkins University’s “Covid-19 Dashboard” has served as a go-to resource for infection, hospitalization, and death data throughout the pandemic. Now, as the availability of metrics retracts and public interest wanes, the school plans to reduce its tracking.
Covid Pandemic’s End Is ‘In Sight,’ WHO Chief Says
With covid deaths declining worldwide after the surge of the last few months, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Wednesday: “We are not there yet, but the end is in sight.” He urged nations to keep up efforts to combat the virus and to also better plan ahead for future pandemics.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Abortion Exemptions Are Clear As Mud; Endemic Covid Still Worse Than Annual Flu
Editorial writers delve into these various public health topics.
