Latest KFF Health News Stories
State Department Prepares Payouts Over Havana Syndrome
NBC News and AP report that the government is preparing compensation in the range of $100,000 to $200,000 for victims of the mysterious Havana Syndrome if they have “qualifying injuries.” Meanwhile, a new study examines the rise of antibiotic-resistant strains of typhoid fever.
In Privacy Lawsuit, Michigan To Destroy 3 Million Baby Blood Samples
The heel-prick blood spot tests have been kept in storage, and the decision was made during a lawsuit addressing consent and privacy. Mental competence of prisoners in Mississippi, a reprimand for a Health Commissioner at the Virginia Board of Health, and more are also reported.
Pediatrics Group Advises Suicide Risk Screening For All Adolescents
The American Academy of Pediatrics is now advising all youths 12 and older to be screened for depression and suicide risk. In other public health news, data on insomnia and sleep issues show young adults are the worst affected among any age groups in the U.S.
Safety Issue Halts Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Drug Trial
The Food and Drug Administration stopped the trial of a Sarepta drug, called SRP-5051, after a “serious safety incident.” Whistleblower lawsuits; Merck’s Seagen deal; Bausch Health; and a $21.7 million donation to help combat breast cancer are also in pharma news.
How Did Monkeypox Spread So Fast? Scientists Have New Clues
Scientists have already identified at least two versions of the virus in America, and genomic patterns suggest that sometime around 2018, monkeypox virus became better at spreading between people. Meanwhile, the federal government’s handling of the outbreak is being criticized as too cumbersome, drawing comparisons to the covid-19 debacle.
In A First, Colorado Will Sell Its Own Health Plan On ACA Exchanges
The Biden administration gave the go-ahead Thursday, allowing the state to offer the Colorado Option to residents who enroll in health plans on the individual market and also to small employers with fewer than 100 employees. The plan is expected to lower premiums by an average of 22%.
Study: 330,000 Could’ve Been Saved From Covid If US Had Universal Health Care
Researchers estimate that nearly a third of American covid deaths could would have been avoided if the nation had a universal health care system. Other industry news stories report on the cost of health disparities and the Supreme Court’s decision related to dialysis.
New California Bill Shields Providers, Patients From Out-Of-State Civil Suits
Assembly Bill 1666 is ready for signing by Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, and is designed to protect those seeking abortion access in California. Also: Measures to boost abortion care in St. Louis, delays in pregnancy complication treatment in Texas after new anti-abortion laws, plus more.
Free Covid Tests For People With Visual Impairment Now Available
The White House announced that it’s rolling out more-accessible rapid home test kits via Covidtests.gov. The kits do require a Bluetooth-enabled phone. Other pandemic news report on federal funding, subvariants, and more.
Birx Tells Hill Panel White House Tried To Limit Covid Guidance To States
Dr. Deborah Birx, who served as the coronavirus coordinator for President Donald Trump, testified that administration officials were giving the president “dangerous ideas” about fighting the virus and withheld reports from states about the spread of covid.
Without Covid Shots, Another 20 Million Would Have Died: Study
A fresh study into the impact of vaccines on the global pandemic reveals how many people’s lives have been saved, but it also underlines that even more people would be alive if international vaccine efforts had been more successful. Sanofi, GSK and Moderna’s vaccines are also in the news.
Juul Ordered To Remove All Of Its Vaping Products From Shelves
The company must immediately discontinue sales of its products, the FDA said Thursday, a day after The Wall Street Journal was tipped off to the decision.
Supreme Court Expands Rights To Carry Guns In Public
In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court justices struck down a New York state law that restricted the ability to carry firearms outside the home. States with gun controls on the books — like licensing laws — in the wake of mass shootings are left scrambling by the decision.
‘We Are About To Save A Lot Of Lives’: Senate Passes Bipartisan Gun Bill
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), who helped forge the legislation, lauded its passage. The bill, which won the support of 15 Republicans, including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, would establish some modest new gun restrictions and provide $15 billion for mental health programs around the country. Speaker Nancy Pelosi pledged that the House will vote on the bill Friday, where it is expected to pass. It would become the first gun safety bill to move through Congress since the mid-1990s.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Racism In Maternity Care Still Exists; Steps We Must Take Before The Next Pandemic
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health topics.
Different Takes: Sanctuary Laws Needed To Protect Abortion Care; Without Roe, IVF Is At Risk
Opinion writers examine abortion and the impact of overturning Roe.
London Sewage Analysis Finds Polio Virus In UK
Health authorities in the U.K. warned that several related polio viruses have been found in analysis of a London sewage treatment plant over several months earlier this year, implying local spread of the mostly eradicated disease. Separately, global life expectancy fell during the pandemic.
Research Roundup: Kawasaki Disease; Soft-Tissue Sarcoma; Antibiotic Overuse
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
CDC Advises Upgraded Flu Shots For Seniors
AP reports that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says senior citizens, with weaker immune systems, don’t respond well to traditional flu shots and thus they should get newer shots for better coverage. Extreme heat, Roundup herbicide lawsuit, and more are also in public health news.
