Latest KFF Health News Stories
Covid Helped Drive US Pharmaceuticals Spending Up 12% In 2021
A study shows the cost of covid vaccines and therapies played a part in a large rise in spending on pharmaceuticals in 2021. Separately, a report dives into what Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Republican, wrongly tried to blame for the rise in insulin costs. Other news covers marijuana issues across the states.
Covid Testing Company Faked Results
A Los Angeles covid-testing company, Sameday Technologies, accused of faking results has agreed to pay $20 million in a settlement. Dr. Jeff Toll, who was accused of teaming with the company, agreed to pay nearly $4 million to resolve allegations of insurance fraud. In other covid news, some patients reports covid symptoms return after using Paxlovid, and unionized nursing homes had fewer covid fatalities.
Philadelphia Rescinds Mask Mandate After Just Days
The mandate, which came under intense criticism from businesses and residents, had required people to wear masks at all indoor public settings. Meanwhile, Boston and other cities are also urging residents to continue to wear masks even without mandates.
Kentucky Abortion Law Blocked, Temporarily
U.S. District Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings paused Kentucky’s strict abortion law in response to a restraining order request from the state’s abortion providers. In Tennessee, a law that would tightly regulate medication abortion advances.
Study: Over 18,000 Cancer Samples Gene-Sequenced To Help Treatments
A report in AP notes that “no one has ever done so many” cancer sample genetic blueprints, and the hope is to track down new mutations that could point to future treatments. Also: A potential breakthrough in early detection of multiple myeloma.
Leading Cause of Child and Teen Deaths: Guns
For the first time, guns killed more people ages 1 to 19 in the U.S. than vehicle crashes, drugs overdoses or cancer. And a spate of articles on the epidemic of teen gun violence and suicide.
Army Expands Pregnancy Leave Policies
Also: a cluster of suicides among crew of a drydocked aircraft carrier.
White House Releases Strategy To Tackle Record Overdoses
President Joe Biden’s plan emphasizes harm reduction, urging states and local agencies to take steps to prevent deaths and illness while helping drug users to get treatment. Improving access to clean needles, fentanyl test strips and naloxone are examples.
Vaccination Rates For Kindergarten Students Fall During Pandemic
Vaccine coverage levels for diseases such as measles fell below the target of 95%, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. Causes include people cutting back on medical appointments during the height of the pandemic and a spillover of covid vaccine hesitancy into attitudes toward routine immunizations.
CDC Alert Warns Of Puzzling Hepatitis Cluster In Young Kids
The CDC issued a nationwide health alert Thursday over 9 cases among kids ages 1 to 6 that the agency are investigating with the Alabama Department of Public Health, telling doctors to be on the look out for others. North Carolina reports that it may have two more. There have also been cases in the U.K., Europe and Israel.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers tackle these public health issues.
Opinion writers examine covid transmission and mask mandates.
Research Roundup: Covid; Cancer; Hydrocephalus
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
First Gender-Affirming Surgery In Federal Prison Ordered By Judge
Separately, in Florida, the Department of Health advised that minors seeking transgender care should not receive such medical aid. In Alabama, parents try to overturn a law denying care to their trans children. Media outlets cover other transgender issues, including controversial sports bans.
UnitedHealthcare, OptumRx Sued Over Alleged ‘Spread Pricing’ For Drugs
Louisiana accused them of overcharging the state’s Medicaid department by billions of dollars through inflated prescription drug prices. Meanwhile, a report from CBS News says that many Americans are often forced to pay medical bills that don’t belong to them.
Dangerous Ransomware Group Is Targeting Health Care, HHS Warns
Also: Health and Human Services Department data on health care consolidation; five ways CMS’ proposed hospital rule could impact patient safety; Humana is planning to sell its hospice business; Texas omitted a key group when issuing pay support for health workers; and more.
Ohio Doctor Acquitted Of Fentanyl Overdose Deaths
William Husel had been accused of “wildly” over-prescribing fentanyl and killing 14 patients. Lawyers note Husel is still facing civil suits. A surge in food bank use and a bill to end coroner investigations of miscarriages in California, abortion access in South Dakota and more are also in the news.
Study Shows Time-Limited Eating Doesn’t Fight Obesity
Meanwhile, CNN reports on why we shouldn’t compliment people losing weight. Also: a story about a man desperately dieting to get a Taco Bell menu item back, expanding complaints of sickness from Lucky Charms, meat allergy illness from tic bites, and the “gut healing” trend on TikTok.
As More People Use Marijuana, Secondhand Smoke Risks Rise
Media outlets cover the risk of lingering particles from bong smoke — including to pets and children — “copycat” food packaging used by marijuana edibles, pet poisonings from accidental edible ingestions, and various political and legal maneuvers relating to legalization.
