Category: Public Health

KFF Health News’ ‘What the Health?’: The Campaign’s Final Days

It’s the final days of the 2024 campaign, and Republicans are suddenly talking again about making changes to the Affordable Care Act if former President Donald Trump wins. Meanwhile, new reporting uncovers more maternal deaths under state abortion bans — and a case in which a Nevada woman was jailed after a miscarriage. Lauren Weber of The Washington Post, Shefali Luthra of The 19th, and Jessie Hellmann of CQ Roll Call join KFF Health News’ Emmarie Huetteman to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner interviews Irving Washington, a senior vice president at KFF and the executive director of its Health Misinformation and Trust Initiative.

1st case of bird flu in pigs reported in US: What to know

The first case of H5N1 virus in a pig in the U.S. was detected, raising concerns for scientists and public health officials, The Washington Post reported Oct. 30.

‘A Pressure Campaign’: Beverly Hills Settles After Allegedly Blocking Abortion Clinic

California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a settlement with Beverly Hills after finding city officials pressured the landlord to cancel DuPont Clinic’s lease. It’s the state’s first enforcement action under Proposition 1, which enshrined abortion rights in the state constitution.

Can a $10 Billion Climate Bond Address California’s Water Contamination Problem?

California voters will decide in November whether to approve a $10 billion climate bond that supporters say is needed to jump-start water system repairs for residents without safe drinking water. Opponents say those repairs should be prioritized in the state budget, not put on a credit card.

Lassa fever: 6 notes for clinicians

On Oct. 28, Iowa’s health department confirmed the death of a middle-aged resident who contracted Lassa fever, a viral disease common in West Africa but rare in the U.S. 

For People With Opioid Addiction, Medicaid ‘Unwinding’ Raises the Stakes

Medications such as methadone can cut the risk of a fatal opioid overdose in half. Medicaid covers the medication. But as state Medicaid programs reevaluated coverage of each enrollee following a pause in disenrollments during the covid-19 pandemic, some patients lost a crucial pillar of their sobriety.

Florida Medical Device Maker Exactech Declares Bankruptcy

The company faces more than 2,000 lawsuits alleging it sold defective knee and hip implants.

Health groups protest California's plan to reduce maternal deaths

Dozens of maternal health organizations and advocates are pressuring the California surgeon general to stop the rollout of a plan aimed at reducing maternal mortality, The Los Angeles Times reported Oct. 29.

Western North Carolina facing care access crisis in wake of Helene: 5 things to know

Western North Carolina is facing a healthcare crisis as communities struggle to recover from Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact, The New York Times reported Oct. 28. 

US health departments falling short on bird flu surveillance

The CDC has confirmed 34 human bird flu cases in 2024, but the total number remains elusive as health departments struggle to track the outbreak, KFF Health News reported Oct. 25.