Latest KFF Health News Stories
Perspectives: Before Roe Falls, Make Abortion Pills OTC; Ideas To Make Prescriptions More Affordable
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Study: Over 5 Years, Pollution Killed More Than War, Terrorism, Or Drugs
In fact, the study published in The Lancet Planetary Health Journal says from 2015 through 2019, one in every six deaths of people around the world had roots in pollution-related issues. Also: NPR reports on a study showing a link between cutting fossil fuel air pollution in the U.S. and saving lives.
Henrietta Lacks Cancer Cell Case Facing Federal Court Test
Henrietta Lacks’ cells have been used for over 70 years in cancer research, but they were taken without consent. Her family launched a lawsuit seeking compensation. Now, a federal judge will rule on the standing of their suit. Also: a hearing-loss drug, monopoly tactics by drugmakers, and more.
Army Responds To Troops’ Mental Health Crisis In Alaska
Also, news about nursing home conditions in Indiana, another hospital superbug outbreak, respiratory illness among Houston children, and more.
HPV Vaccination Campaigns Are Effective: Study
And a new, unbranded TV ad from Merck reminds parents to get their 9-year-old children vaccinated against human papillomavirus.
CBO: Lowering Medicare Age Would Cost $155 Billion Over Five Years
The Congressional Budget Office and Joint Committee on Taxation put a price tag on lowering the eligibility age to 60. Other news is about the rising cost of health care for retirees.
Ariz. Lawmakers Pass More Restrictions On Public Health Officials
Arizona’s legislature passes two bills, expected to be signed by the governor, restricting responses to public health crises; mask mandates rejected in Iowa by a federal court; and the Mayo Clinic is sued for its restrictions.
Long Covid Risks Could Be Spotted By Machine Learning
A new study, supported by the National Institutes of Health, found that machine learning models were able to spot patterns in patient data that pointed to higher risks of developing long covid. Other reports highlight the sometimes overlooked symptoms of long covid, and its impact.
Covid Surge Expands, But Gauging Risks Is Difficult
The very highly transmissible omicron variant, BA.2.12.1, has exploded across many parts of the country. Reports look at increases in cases in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and the San Francisco area. Meanwhile, Eric Clapton — a prominent opponent of vaccination mandates — has tested positive. Apple is delaying the return of employees to the office.
Pfizer Boosters For 5- To 11-Year-Olds Win FDA Authorization
The Pfizer/BioNTech covid vaccine is the only one approved for this age group, and a typical two-dose regime hasn’t conferred much protection to these younger recipients. Separately, the World Health Organization agreed a second booster may benefit vulnerable people.
Michigan’s 1931 Anti-Abortion Law Blocked By Injunction
The old law, which bans most abortions unless the pregnancy itself could be fatal, would be the primary law in Michigan if Roe v. Wade is overturned. But a court said a lawsuit by Planned Parenthood alleging it violates the state constitution has legal merit. Other abortion news, including what a Founding Father said about it.
Democrats Want $28 Million To Boost Baby Formula Supplies
Meanwhile, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the House Energy and Commerce Committee will seek answers from executives of Abbott Nutrition and other formula makers as to why the U.S. is experiencing such a crippling shortage. Lawmakers have warned criminal charges may be in play.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers examine these public health issues.
Viewpoints: Ignoring Long Covid Is Dangerous; Omicron Infection Does Not Protect Against Variants
Opinion writers delve into these covid-related issues.
British Study of Hepatitis In Children Near Completion
Progress on the child hepatitis outbreak may come from the U.K., and monkeypox infects four men in London who had not traveled to Africa. Meanwhile, in North Korea, the military is deployed to fight the covid pandemic.
Despite A Mandated Psych Eval, Accused Buffalo Shooter Bought A Gun
The Buffalo shooting suspect bought a gun just a few months after a police-mandated psychiatric evaluation that followed a shooting threat. Separately, Illinois will cover funeral expenses for child gun violence victims.
Cerebral Stops Prescribing Most Controlled Substances
The online mental health company was under scrutiny for stimulants prescribed for attention-deficit disorders. Other news is about research on cancer, Parkinson’s and memory loss.
Employer Plans Pay Hospitals At More Than Double Medicare Rates
A report in Modern Healthcare shows disparities between payments for the same services depending on whether costs are met by Medicare or private employer health plans. Also: a simmering dispute over the federal drug discount program, a ransomware attack at Christus Health, and more.
