Latest KFF Health News Stories
Perspectives: Self-Rationing Of Prescriptions Has Disastrous Results
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Colorado Says Marketplace Plans Must Cover Gender-Affirming Care
Colorado says marketplace health insurance plans must cover a wide range of gender-affirming services beginning in 2023, after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved such a plan for the first time. Separately, reports say Montana is facing a 1,000 unit weekly donated blood shortage.
Seeking Covid’s Origin, China Plans Thousands Of Wuhan Blood Tests
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization is preparing a new team to find the source of the covid pandemic, in an attempt to “reset” its stalled efforts. In other news, the mysterious Havana Syndrome is reported to have affected at least five families connected to the U.S. embassy in Colombia.
A Political Rarity: Almost Everyone Agrees We Need To Change Drug Prices
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
High Arsenic Levels Force Walmart To Recall Some Baby Cereals
Some Parent’s Choice Rice baby cereal products, sold only at Walmart, are being recalled after higher-than-acceptable levels of arsenic were found during a random testing process. Also: Breast cancer patients are reportedly using marijuana to manage symptoms, but not telling their doctors.
Best Buy To Acquire At-Home Health Care Tech Startup
Best Buy is reportedly expanding its push into the health care sector. In other news, AmeriHealth Caritas enters the ACA exchange; med tech firm Olympus may have been hit by a cyber attack; deaths in an Illinois VA nursing home are linked to ignoring covid guidelines, and more.
CRISPR CAR-T Cancer Drug May Be More Effective Than Found In Study
The company says more cancer patients taking CRISPR Therapeutics’ off-the-shelf CAR-T cell therapy had complete remissions than found in the drug’s initial study results. In other innovation news, the FDA has approved the first smartwatch for both blood oxygen and ECG monitoring.
Justices Debate Procedural Point In KY Abortion Case; Could Have Wide Effect
The Supreme Court considered whether the Kentucky attorney general, a Republican, would be allowed to defend his state’s ban on some forms of abortion after two courts found it unconstitutional. As Politico reports, the decision could extend beyond abortion to covid mandates, gun laws and election results.
$1 Trillion Might Have To Be Cut From Social Spending Package, Pelosi Says
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi stressed that the final package would still be “transformative,” NBC reported. She said members of her caucus are trying to keep all of the original programs — such as universal pre-K and home health care — but that the number of years of guaranteed funding would have to be pared back.
At Least 3 Corporate Giants Say They Will Defy Texas’ Ban On Vax Mandates
IBM, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines will follow President Biden’s mandate. However, Southwest CEO Gary Kelly made it clear he wasn’t happy about it.
Military Archbishop Supports Vaccines But Says Catholics Shouldn’t Be Forced
Timothy Broglio, archbishop for the military services, has said that covid shots are morally acceptable, but Tuesday he said troops could refuse it on religious grounds. Meanwhile, President Biden’s mandate for larger businesses took one step closer to becoming reality.
3 Separate Court Rulings Hash Out Details Of New York Vaccine Mandate
Here’s the breakdown: New York City can continue to require proof of inoculation to enter restaurants, gyms and clubs; New York City teachers were again rebuffed in their attempt to seek a religious or medical exemption; and health care workers must be allowed a religious exception.
Serious Illness From Covid Linked To Infertility Risks
Some covid misinformation suggests covid vaccines can cause infertility (not true), but now research says the disease itself carries that risk, both to women and men. Separately, research finds babies born to women who were covid-positive are significantly more likely to have health issues.
Need For Moderna Booster Not Clear-Cut To FDA Scientists
Ahead of meetings Thursday and Friday of the Food and Drug Administration’s vaccine advisory panel, documents were released by agency scientists reviewing the case for the half-dose booster shot suggested by Moderna.
US Land Borders Reopen In November — But Only For Fully-Vaxxed Travelers
The country’s land borders to Mexico and Canada have been mostly closed to international non-essential visits since March 2020, but that will change next month. Travelers will have to be fully vaccinated, however. The exact date for the reopening is yet to be decided.
Covid Numbers May Be Trending Down But Staying Very High Among Kids
CNN reports broadly declining national trends for covid infections but notes that the new case rate among children remains not just high but “exceptionally high.” The Salt Lake Tribune reports that 3,000 Utahns have now succumbed to the disease, with more younger patients dying than before.
FDA Authorizes E-Cigarette Products For First Time
At the same time that the Food and Drug Administration eyes regulations on the vaping industry to curtail youth addiction, the agency has approved three Vuse products, saying that “the potential benefit to smokers who switch completely or significantly reduce their cigarette use, would outweigh the risk to youth.”
Daily Aspirin No Longer Advised To Guard Against Heart Attack, Stroke
Draft guidance from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force now recommends against people over 60 taking a low-dose or baby aspirin daily. The panel urges all to check with their doctor before stopping, as some — especially younger age groups — may still benefit from an aspirin regimen.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Searching For Origins Of Covid-19; Pathways For Psilocybin Rescheduling
Editorial pages weigh in on these public health issues.
