Latest KFF Health News Stories
Calls To 988 Mental Health Line Rising
NPR says that in the first month since launch, 988 has seen a 45% increase in overall call volume and other text-based contacts, with the latter demonstrating enormous growth. Meanwhile, the U.S. will reportedly dedicate $35 million to boost 988 efforts for Native Americans.
Boston Children’s Hospital Threatened Again
The type of threat wasn’t specified, the Boston Globe explains, but two weeks ago the hospital faced a bomb threat. Reports say hospital staff involved with treating transgender children have also been harassed. Other media outlets cover nursing home and nursing staff strikes, and health worker cuts.
Most Americans Think Health Care System Is A Failure
A new AP-NORC poll shows a majority of Americans say health care is not handled well in the country; women as well as Black and Hispanic Americans are particularly critical. Medicare decisions on doctors’ pay, Medicare drug cost caps, the Blue Cross antitrust deal, and more are also in the news.
Biologist Renee Wegrzyn Chosen As ARPA-H’s First Director
Wegrzyn, President Biden’s choice for the role, formerly worked as a scientist at DARPA. Separately, the Boston Globe reports on efforts by local power brokers to attract the new new health research agency to be based in Massachusetts. Meanwhile, in FDA news, funding negotiations are heating up.
Planned Parenthood Leaders Plan Next Steps In Fight For Abortion Rights
Organization leaders from 24 states met in California on Friday to discuss how to copy the Golden State’s success across the nation. Meanwhile, some conservative Republicans are softening their rhetoric on abortion.
Antiviral Tpoxx Moving To Late-Stage Trials As Monkeypox Treatment
The National Institutes of Health has begun enrollment in the next stage of testing for Siga Technologies Tpoxx — a pill used to treat smallpox that has not received federal approval as a treatment for monkeypox yet. Meanwhile, a CDC report says that only 3.5% percent of recipients experienced adverse reactions to the drug.
More Kids Are Getting Virus That Can Sometimes Cause Polio-Like Syndrome
Doctors across the country are seeing an uptick in hospitalizations for enterovirus D68. Meanwhile, the governor of New York has declared a disaster emergency after polio was detected in more wastewater near New York City, suggesting it is spreading throughout communities.
Likely Telehealth Fraud Cost Medicare $128 Million During Pandemic’s First Year
Federal investigators with the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General find that 1,714 doctors and health providers billed Medicare nearly $128 million in “high risk” claims during the first year of the covid pandemic when telehealth restrictions were eased.
Health Fund For 9/11 First Responders And Survivors Is Falling Short
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says he will work to appropriate an additional $3 billion in federal funding to help keep the program afloat.
Breakthrough Discovery IDs How Air Pollution Causes Lung Cancer
Scientists announce the results of research that determines how tiny particles produced by burning fossil fuels are leading to cases of lung cancer in non-smokers.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health topics.
Health Risks Worsen As Western Heat Wave Smashes September Records
While the Washington Post reminds us that the heat wave is still not yet over, USA Today notes heat waves are the “single most deadly” natural disasters faced by the U.S., and are true “mass casualty events.” Other news comes from Illinois, Texas, North Carolina, Michigan, and Maryland.
Fentanyl Displacing Heroin In DC, Causing Heroin Overdoses To Fall
The Washington Post’s report on drug use in the capital notes the devastating impact heroin had, and how it’s now being replaced almost entirely by use of fentanyl. A side effect of this is dropping heroin overdose rates. Other news includes Narcan and test strips, and developments in opioid settlements.
Mississippi Set To Lose Its Only Burn Center
JMS Burn and Reconstruction Center, at Merit Health Central in South Jackson, will close Oct. 14. The pandemic and the ongoing staffing shortage are to blame. Also: Strikes at Pennsylvania nursing homes, the cost of medical care, JP Morgan investing in a digital health company, and more.
Wisconsin Hospital Orders Those With Vax Exemptions To Get Novavax Shot
The hospital said in a statement, “This protein-based vaccination option eliminates conflicts for those staff with religious or medical exemptions caused by mRNA-based vaccines and other concerns.” Staff have until Sept. 21 to get a first dose or will be considered “voluntarily resigned.”
US To Develop Over-The-Counter Covid Tests For People With Disabilities
The Biden administration announced Thursday that it has earmarked $300 million for covid test improvements, which include making the tests more user-friendly.
Officials Study Role Of Monkeypox In Second US Death
Media outlets report on the death of a patient with monkeypox in Los Angeles County, with health officials examining if the diagnosis of the virus was linked to the death. Other monkeypox news includes vaccine eligibility for men with HIV, and questions about the dose-sparing vaccine effort.
FDA Warns Breast Implant Scar Tissue Linked To Cancers
Though cancers caused by breast implants may be rare, the Food and Drug Administration is now warning that all types of implants may be linked to increased risk of malignancies in scar tissue around them. Separately, the FDA approved a new anti-wrinkle drug.
Arteries, Valves Fused To Existing Heart In First Partial Transplant
The surgery was performed on a newborn with truncus arteriosus at Duke Health in North Carolina, and is said to be the world’s first partial heart transplant. USA Today reports, meanwhile, that the U.S. is expected to pass 1 million solid-organ transplants Friday, with the surgery on the rise.
