Latest KFF Health News Stories
State Blocks Plan To Close Connecticut Maternity Ward
The maternity ward at Windham Hospital had been scheduled for permanent closure, but the state Office of Health Strategy denied the application. In Medicaid news, St. Anthony Hospital is allowed to sue Illinois over delayed payments. Also: “phantom” doctors, the Epic-Tata lawsuit and more.
FDA Plans Continued Support For Overseas Baby Formula Imports
The Wall Street Journal reports long-term imports are going to be supported by federal health regulators even after the current shortage is solved. The court battle between Juul and the Food and Drug Administration, AbbVie’s tax situation, the pig-heart transplant and more are also in the news.
Mental Preparation Is Key To Surviving Gun Violence, Experts Say
No matter where you go, safety experts say, you should have an escape route mapped out in your head. As Americans wrestle with the reality that nowhere is safe, authorities investigate how the alleged Illinois shooter was able to buy a rifle despite his troubled mental health background.
4 Covid Jabs Protect Against Omicron; BA.4, BA.5 Strains Can Evade 3 Doses
Researchers studying the highly contagious strains also tested the ability of 19 monoclonal antibody treatments to neutralize them and found that only one of the available treatments remained highly effective against both BA.2.12.1 and BA.4 and BA.5, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Glitch Hits New York Monkeypox Vaccine Program
Meanwhile, in Hawaii, health officials are distributing monkeypox shots to close contacts of people who’ve contracted the virus. Media outlets report on the rising number of cases across the country, and the world. A report in NBC News covers one man’s painful experience with the illness.
FDA Says State-Licensed Pharmacists Can Prescribe Paxlovid
The Food and Drug Administration’s Wednesday statement specified certain limitations to make sure the treatment is appropriate. Stat reports on how doctors were “clamoring” for clarity on prescribing guidelines for the drug, used for treating high-risk covid patients. Separately, a study found a cancer drug can cut the risk of covid death.
Republicans Mull Federal Abortion Restrictions Ahead Of Midterms
In anticipation of retaking the majority in November, House Republicans are internally discussing whether to pursue a national-level abortion ban or to leave restrictions to the states.
Last Day For The Mississippi Clinic At Center Of Supreme Court Case
Jackson Women’s Health Organization shuttered Wednesday. News outlets cover other providers’ plans following the dismantling of Roe v. Wade.
North Carolina, Colorado Governors Issue Orders To Protect Abortion Access
The executive orders signed by North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, take steps to stop state officials from helping in other states’ prosecutions of abortion providers or patients seeking legal reproductive health care services.
Louisiana Supreme Court Maintains Hold On Abortion Ban For Now
The high court said the case should first go through district and appellate courts. In Kentucky, two abortion clinics head to court to try to block that state’s near-total ban.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: We’re Ready For Monkeypox Thanks To Vaccines; Constitution Must Protect Health Care
Opinion writers weigh in on monkeypox and abortion issues.
Perspectives: States Can’t Ban Mailing Of FDA-Approved Drugs; Kansans Struggle To Afford Medications
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Editorial writers delve into these public health topics.
Postmortem Finds Former NFL Player Demaryius Thomas Suffered CTE
The player’s family announced the news Tuesday. Thomas was found dead at his Georgia home in December. The pandemic’s toll on the behavior and emotional development of students, black children dying by suicide, a 7-year-old saving a classmate’s life with the Heimlich maneuver and more are also in the news.
FDA Stays Order Banning Juul, For Now
The Food and Drug Administration said the hold is temporary as it conducts further review. Meanwhile, another West Virginia case against opioid distributors was postponed.
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Colorado Funeral Home Operator Guilty Of Selling Body Parts
The operator pled guilty to an illegal body part selling scheme Tuesday. In other news, health insurers in Michigan are reported to be planning rate boosts next year by an average of 5.8% for small group policies. Also: St. Louis’ inefficient 911 system, giant African land snails in Florida and more.
Study Links More Nursing Homes, Doctors To Fewer Readmissions
The Health Affairs study looked at hospital readmission rates for Medicare patients and found that communities with more nursing home beds and physicians benefitted. Meanwhile, Modern Healthcare reports on questions over CMS’ covid quality plan.
Monkeypox Found On Multiple Hospital Surfaces, Patient’s Cellphone
Researchers in Germany studied the surfaces of two rooms holding hospitalized monkeypox patients. The scientists found the highest viral loads on the surfaces of the patients’ bathrooms and on cabinet door handles, Newsweek reported. And in the U.S., Connecticut and Arkansas report their first cases.
