Latest KFF Health News Stories
Perspectives: Collapse In Antibiotic Development Will Hurt Future Crises
Read recent commentaries about pharmaceutical issues.
Different Takes: Indiana Must Reduce Its Maternal, Infant Mortality Rates
Opinion writers weigh in on reproductive rights and veterans’ health care.
Drug Cost Bill Faces Unpredictable Ride; Long Covid Drug Shows Promise
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
The Healthiest State? Massachusetts, For The Second Year
Boston University’s School of Public Health and the digital health company Sharecare run an annual survey and for 2021, Massachusetts ranked at the top. Mississippi came in last place — for the third year running. Also: polio in New York wastewater, a second case of dengue in Florida, and more.
Lyme Disease Diagnoses Soared Over 15 Years
The rise, reported by FAIR Health, was more pronounced in rural areas, where diagnoses were up 357%. Meanwhile, in Long Beach, California, a case of pediatric monkeypox is reported. A beverage recall over bacterial contamination, the baby formula shortage and more are also in the news.
Newly Passed Bill Recognizes Impact Of Officer PTSD, Suicides
The Public Safety Officer Support Act creates a route for families of officers who die by suicide to access benefits. Also: a strike among Kaiser Permanente mental health workers in California, concerns over public awareness of a new mental health law in Georgia, and more.
Industry Presses Congress To Fix Doctor Shortage With Foreign Staff
Medical groups are asking for Congress to pass the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act, incentivizing foreign physicians. Meanwhile, high levels of nursing staff burnout in the Twin Cities area raise an alarm.
Study: Youngsters More Susceptible To Omicron Via The Nose
A small study shows that omicron is more efficient at infecting younger children through the nose than earlier versions. It also suggests symptoms of anosmia are a good predictor of long-term cognitive impact of covid. Separately, data show subvariant BA.5 is increasingly dominant in the U.S.
Medicare Ditches Plan To Bury Hospital Safety Data Next Year
Officials at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services had said months ago that due to covid, hospital safety data would be distorted and therefore less useful to the public. In its reversal Monday, however, Stat reports that CMS officials recognized “the importance of this measure for patients and providers.” Separately, news outlets cover rising maternal mortality rates among women on Medicaid, and Medicaid coverage loss.
Senate Passes Bill To Expand Care For Vets Exposed To Burn Pits, Toxins
After 3 amendments introduced by Republicans were voted down, the Senate approved long-sought legislation expanding health and disability benefits for an additional 3.5 million former U.S. military members exposed to toxic substances during their service. President Joe Biden is expected to sign soon.
Second Biden Executive Order On Abortion Access Expected Today
Media outlets report that the president will sign another executive order to protect abortion access, even if abortion is illegal in states where women seek this care. Separately, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat, said she’ll vote against a new bipartisan bill on federal abortion protection.
Montana 1999 Court Decision Muddies Legislative Action On Abortion
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte, a Republican, asked Montana Supreme Court justices to reverse a 1999 decision that upholds abortion access, in favor of allowing state legislators to set new laws. Legal battles on the issue are also reported out of Kentucky, Indiana, California, and elsewhere.
Justice Dept. Targets Idaho’s Ban In First State Abortion Access Lawsuit
The Department of Justice is suing Idaho over its six-week abortion ban, arguing that the state measure violates federal law requiring doctors and hospitals to provide emergency medical services, including abortion. It’s the first such action taken by the Biden administration since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
In ‘Landslide’ Vote, Kansas Preserves Right To Abortion
Voters turned out in droves — turnout was nearly 250% higher than the last primary midterm election — and the latest tally showed a decisive win for abortion-rights supporters, 59% to 41%. President Biden and prominent pollsters said the victory in a “red” state underscores the importance of this fall’s midterm elections.
Number Of Americans Without Health Insurance Dips To Record Low
In the first quarter of this year, the U.S. uninsured rate declined to 8%, the Biden administration announced. That number could go back up again though if Congress does not extend Affordable Care Act premium subsidies.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Many Hospitals Not Being Transparent; Abortion Rights Advocates Must Revamp Approach
Editorial writers delve into these public health topics.
Different Takes: Monkeypox Inaction Feels Familiar; We Can And Should Contain Monkeypox Quickly
Opinion writers weigh in on monkeypox and covid.
Study Links Processed Food Diet With Quicker Cognitive Decline
New research has found links between eating a diet with over 20% highly processed foods with a quicker rate of cognitive decline over six to 10 years. In other news, a study found that elementary school-age kids who sleep less than nine hours a night may see detrimental impacts to memory and other abilities.
Illinoisans Who Buy ACA Insurance To Pay More, Maybe Much More, Next Year
Ten Illinois insurance companies that sell plans on the exchange are suggesting rate hikes between 3% to 16%. Meanwhile, in West Virginia some cities and counties reached a $400 million settlement with key opioid drug distributors. Separately, Iowa’s set to receive part of a $6.6 billion payout.
