Latest KFF Health News Stories
North Carolina Senate Republicans Now Push To Expand Medicaid Coverage
The AP reports that the move to “strongly” consider legislation to improve Medicaid coverage for hundreds of thousands of low-income people is an “extraordinary turnabout,” since the party has opposed expansion for a decade. Also: new rules for malpractice payments in California, and more.
Fund To Fight AIDS, Malaria, TB Wins $30 Million In Pledges At Davos
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria says it needs $18 billion to reverse pandemic-related setbacks. It announced its first pledge from the private sector at the World Economic Forum at Davos, with $10 million from Comic Relief U.S. and $20 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Meanwhile, the U.N. is warning of a global food crisis sparked by the invasion of Ukraine and climate change.
Active TB Case Reported In A Missouri Middle School
Confirming the case at Hollenbeck Middle School, health officials said contact tracing commenced and there was no reason for public concern. Meanwhile, the salmonella outbreak linked to Jif peanut butter has now sickened 14 people across 12 states.
A Generic Drug Plant Closure Portends Drug Shortages
The closing of a Teva Pharmaceuticals plant in California could spell shortages of 24 generic sterile injectable drugs, including essential medications, the vasodilator alprostadil; the antibiotic amikacin; chemotherapy drugs bleomycin, dacarbazine, idarubicin, ifosfamide, mitoxantrone, streptozocin, and topotecan; and the hormone octreotide. In other news, a promising hair-loss drug and dietary supplements.
Brigham Researchers Find Security Calls More Likely For Black Patients
The researchers at the Boston hospital analyzed 423 security reports filed between Sept. 1, 2018, and Dec. 31, 2019, and found 2.8% of Black patients had calls placed for them, compared with 1.6% of white patients. In other news, a study finds rising infection rates in central line catheters that doctors use in major veins to deliver medicine, and experts call for updating language in patient records.
Study: Neurological Impact of Covid Persists
Research into long covid is finding the neurological effects of the illness can persist as other symptoms abate. In other covid news, group tours of the Capitol, suspended during the pandemic, are to resume.
Surgeon General: Health Workers Owed ‘Urgent Debt Of Action’ On Burnout
Vice President Kamala Harris joined Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy’s call to help health workers, saying, “We need to do a better job of taking care of you.” Meanwhile, statistics for health care worker burnout show it was on the rise even before the pandemic hit.
FDA Will ‘Move Quickly’ To Approve Covid Shots For Under-5s
AP reports U.S. Food and Drug Administration vaccine chief Dr. Peter Marks said the agency will move fast without affecting standards. A public review by scientific advisers of Pfizer’s and Moderna’s shots may happen June 15.
Lone House Anti-Abortion Democrat Faces Unseating By Progressive
Today is election day in Texas, where Rep. Henry Cuellar —who says abortion should only be legal in cases of rape, incest, and threat to the life of the mother — is in a runoff with progressive candidate Jessica Cisneros.
2021’s US Birth Rate The First In 7 Years To Show Growth
Provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics shows in 2021 the number of babies born in the U.S. was 1% higher than for 2020. But there were still about 86,000 fewer births than in 2019. C-sections were also up.
US, World Turning To Vaccines To Tackle Monkeypox Outbreak
There is no monkeypox-specific vaccine, but an already-approved smallpox shot is effective against it. The U.S. has more than 1,000 doses of the Jynneos vaccine in stock and is releasing some. Jynneos’ maker, Denmark’s Bavarian Nordic A/S, is also making more. Other smallpox shots, stockpiled by the million, are not yet U.S.-approved against monkeypox.
Drivers’ Hourly Limits Waived For Trucks With Baby Formula Ingredients
The emergency declaration from the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration means commercial vehicles can ferry ingredients to factories with fewer impediments to the journeys than before, hopefully boosting production. Also: formula price gouging, a new conspiracy theory, and more.
Monkeypox Spreading Mostly Through Sex: WHO
The CDC issued an update that alerted gay and bisexual men that monkeypox is primarily spreading through sex. A White House official said the health risk to the general population is low.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: If Roe Falls, Birth Control May Be Next; How Should Abortion Rights Be Protected?
Editorial writers take on these public health issues.
Different Takes: Future With Long Covid Isn’t Promising; Should Americans Start Masking Again?
Opinion writers examine these covid issues.
New Conspiracy Theory: WHO Pandemic Plans Will Steal Government Power
A “visceral, passionate online backlash,” the Washington Post reports, falsely accuses the World Health Organization of a power grab because of a so-called pandemic treaty to prepare for future outbreaks. Meanwhile, in Britain, there are recommendations to change the legal smoking age to 21.
Pfizer Settles With Four States For $290,000 In Misleading Copay Case
The case centers on 5,000 people in Colorado, Kansas, Vermont, and Arizona who spent more than expected when they used coupons supplied by the drugmaker. Also: Oklahoma’s Medicaid program revamp, John Fetterman’s recovery, protection for gender expressions in Cincinnati, and more.
Some Jif Peanut Butter Recalled Due To Salmonella Risk
The voluntary product recall comes amid a multistate salmonella outbreak linked to some Jif products. Meanwhile, an Iowa company has recalled 185,000 pounds of bacon products due to possible metal contamination. Also: Virtual workouts, drug overdoses, and custom children’s caskets.
2 Wyoming Hospitals Cut Birth Services To Pay For Traveling Nurses
Two hospitals in Wyoming are reportedly so affected by the cost of paying for traveling nurse staff to make up for shortages that they have chosen to halt birthing and labor services. Meanwhile, in St. Louis, medical providers are trying a “gig economy” model to find nursing staff.
