Latest KFF Health News Stories
Pandemic Investment Hit $8 Billion For Digital Health Companies Last Quarter
Modern Healthcare notes the roughly $8.1 billion figure is a record for this particular sector of the health industry, and was up 5% on the previous quarter. The GAO and MIPS, Whole Life Inc., Wellstar-United, ambulance provider Falck, and more are also in health industry news.
Lawsuit Says Key Cancer Cells Used In Research Were Stolen 70 Years Ago
Cancer cells from Henrietta Lacks, a Black woman, have been used in cancer research for 70 years and now the family is suing a pharmaceutical company for profiting from them, alleging they were taken without consent. News outlets report on other health and race-related issues.
Stores Sold Out Of Covid Tests? Things May Improve As FDA OKs Another One
The at-home test from ACON Laboratories likely will double testing capacity in the next few weeks, a top FDA official said. The FDA also greenlighted a new at-home test kit for covid and influenza A/B for ages 2 and up that can be ordered by a physician.
Pfizer Shot Still 90% Effective Against Death After 6 Months, Including Delta
Though the effectiveness of the Pfizer vaccine does wane, a new study says that even after six months it is very effective at preventing serious illness from covid. A different study predicts that “natural” immunity after a covid infection fades fast, and that reinfection is likely.
Pentagon Says Civilian Workers Must Get Covid Shots
All civilian workers must be fully vaccinated by Nov. 22. Separately, AP reports on new guidelines the White House has set out for federal workers to get vaccines. In New York, Northwell Health has fired 1,400 employees who refused shots.
Facebook’s Ability To Harm Youths Falls Under Congressional Spotlight
Whistleblower Frances Haugen is expected to testify today on Capitol Hill. Fox Business reports that she will detail how the social media giant faces little oversight. News outlets also report on other youth mental health issues.
4 Major Retail Pharmacies On Hot Seat As Opioid Trial Begins In Cleveland
CVS, Walgreens, Walmart and Giant Eagle are accused of contributing to the deadly and expensive opioid epidemic in America. The trial could set the tone for similar claims against pharmacies.
Oklahoma Heartbeat Law Blocked; Other Abortion Restrictions Allowed
An Oklahoma judge temporarily blocked two new anti-abortion laws from going into effect next month, including a restriction similar to Texas’ that bans abortion around 6 weeks of pregnancy. The judge allowed three others, including restrictions on medication-induced abortion and which doctors can perform the procedure.
HHS Removes Trump-Era Ban On Abortion Referrals By Clinics That Get Federal Funds
Family planning clinics that receive federal support under the Title X program — which helps boost local facilities that serve primarily low-income women — were prohibited from referring patients for an abortion. About 1,300 clinics that left the program because of the ban could return with the Biden administration’s reversal.
NIH Director Collins Will Resign At End Of Year: Reports
The National Institutes of Health is expected to announce that its longest-serving director will soon step down, Politico first reported. Francis Collins has run the agency since 2009 when he was nominated by then-President Barack Obama. No interim director has been named yet, an agency official told The Washington Post.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Pink Ribbons Aren’t Helping Breast Cancer; New Moms Deserve Better Lactation Supports
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health topics.
Perspectives: Antiviral Pill Molnupiravir Shows Impressive Results; Vaccine Mandates Are Working
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid and vaccine issues.
Mental Health Support For Tennessee Flood Victims Boosted By FEMA Funds
More than $116,000 in funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency is going to help people needing ongoing mental health support after suffering in August’s flood emergency. Meanwhile, California is pushing to regulate the CBD industry with safety standards and labels.
New Zealand Abandons Zero-Covid Plan, Mandates Vax For All Visitors
The New Zealand government has admitted it can no longer completely eradicate covid in the country. Separately, CNN reports that from Nov. 1, all foreign visitors entering New Zealand must be vaccinated. Meanwhile, the global covid death tally has hit 5 million.
Study Shows The Pain Of Carrying Debt Can Be Physical, Too
A new study shows people who carry unsecured debt were 76% more likely to experience pain that interfered with daily life versus those who don’t. Separately, studies show the impact of pandemic-related stress on mental and physical health. Meanwhile, paid family leave may become law.
Silicon Chip Shortage Pushes Medical Tech Makers To Front Of Queue
The chip shortage that’s impacted the car industry also hit pacemaker and ultrasound makers, but the Wall Street Journal reports that their tactic for ensuring supply rests on the life-saving tech they make. Also, generic drugmakers settle price-fixing suit; Pfizer loses a copay lawsuit; and more.
Pro-Insurer White House Surprise Billing Rule Angers Providers
Modern Healthcare reports on fallout from the recent regulation covering surprise medical bills, a move thought to favor insurers. The Wall Street Journal, meanwhile, reports on how similar covid treatment costs can vary by tens of thousands of dollars, even in the same hospital.
US Scientists Earn Nobel In Medicine For Finding How We Sense Heat, Touch
David Julius at the University of California at San Francisco and Ardem Patapoutian at Scripps Research shared the award for investigating nerve impulses. CNN reports that part of the research used capsaicin from chili peppers to activate the heat-sensing nerve endings in skin.
Outing Herself, Whistleblower Says Facebook ‘Optimizes’ Misinformation
The Facebook staffer who shared thousands of pages of internal documents with the Wall Street Journal revealed her identity on 60 Minutes last night, saying the social media giant is aware of the harm bad info on its platforms can cause during the pandemic and on teen mental health.
