Latest news with #KFFHealth
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
False information is spreading about measles vaccine as more admit hearing fake claims it's linked to autism
Misinformation about the measles outbreak across West Texas and the U.S. is spreading with more Americans reporting hearing false claims - and it comes with potentially deadly consequences. Even as the number of national cases has exceeded 800 and two children have died, 'false and misleading statements' regarding the measles virus and vaccines used to target measles have continued to circulate, a new KFF Health poll found. One of those false claims is regarding a link between autism in children and the shots. The survey reported that approximately 63 percent of adults said they have read or heard the false claim that the vaccines have been proven to cause autism in children. There is no link between autism and the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, which is 97 percent effective against infection. Notably, the majority of respondents who heard the false claim were white, compared to fewer Black and Hispanic adults. But, that's not the only false information being passed around. A third of adults and parents have heard or read the false claim that getting the measles vaccine is more dangerous than becoming infected, and one in five adults – and 17 percent of parents – have heard or read the false claim that Vitamin A can prevent infections. Vitamin A has been presented by Health and Human Services Sec. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., as a potential treatment for infection, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updating its guidance to say administration of the vitamin 'may be appropriate.' But, experts caution that while vitamin A can prevent complications, it should not be used to try to prevent infections. 'Vitamin A, at any dose, does not protect you from measles,' Dr. James D. Campbell, vice chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases, said earlier this year. 'No one should take, and no parent should give to their child, vitamin A in hopes of preventing measles. It will not do that.' Getting the measles vaccine is much safer than infection, the CDC notes. Nevertheless, the shares of adults and parents who have heard the false claim that receiving the measles vaccine is more dangerous than getting infected with measles has increased by 15 percentage points since March 2024. Belief or disbelief in false claims about measles fell along party lines. At least one in five Republicans and independents said they think each of the three false claims about measles are either 'definitely' or 'probably true,' compared to smaller shares of Democrats. And, 35 percent of Republicans and 26 percent of independents said they think the false claim that the vaccines have been proven to cause autism in children are either 'definitely' or 'probably true.' Fewer Republican parents expressed confidence in the safety of measles vaccines, and parents who said false claims about measles are 'definitely' or 'probably true' were more likely to have skipped vaccinations for their kids. "Those parents are more than twice as likely to say that they have delayed or skipped some vaccines for their children compared to parents who don't believe any of those claims," Liz Hamel, director of public opinion and survey research at KFF, told NPR, adding, "I think this is one of the more concerning findings from the poll."
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
False information is spreading about measles vaccine as more admit hearing fake claims it's linked to autism
Misinformation about the measles outbreak across West Texas and the U.S. is spreading with more Americans reporting hearing false claims - and it comes with potentially deadly consequences. Even as the number of national cases has exceeded 800 and two children have died, 'false and misleading statements' regarding the measles virus and vaccines used to target measles have continued to circulate, a new KFF Health poll found. One of those false claims is regarding a link between autism in children and the shots. The survey reported that approximately 63 percent of adults said they have read or heard the false claim that the vaccines have been proven to cause autism in children. There is no link between autism and the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, which is 97 percent effective against infection. Notably, the majority of respondents who heard the false claim were white, compared to fewer Black and Hispanic adults. But, that's not the only false information being passed around. A third of adults and parents have heard or read the false claim that getting the measles vaccine is more dangerous than becoming infected, and one in five adults – and 17 percent of parents – have heard or read the false claim that Vitamin A can prevent infections. Vitamin A has been presented by Health and Human Services Sec. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., as a potential treatment for infection, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updating its guidance to say administration of the vitamin 'may be appropriate.' But, experts caution that while vitamin A can prevent complications, it should not be used to try to prevent infections. 'Vitamin A, at any dose, does not protect you from measles,' Dr. James D. Campbell, vice chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases, said earlier this year. 'No one should take, and no parent should give to their child, vitamin A in hopes of preventing measles. It will not do that.' Getting the measles vaccine is much safer than infection, the CDC notes. Nevertheless, the shares of adults and parents who have heard the false claim that receiving the measles vaccine is more dangerous than getting infected with measles has increased by 15 percentage points since March 2024. Belief or disbelief in false claims about measles fell along party lines. At least one in five Republicans and independents said they think each of the three false claims about measles are either 'definitely' or 'probably true,' compared to smaller shares of Democrats. And, 35 percent of Republicans and 26 percent of independents said they think the false claim that the vaccines have been proven to cause autism in children are either 'definitely' or 'probably true.' Fewer Republican parents expressed confidence in the safety of measles vaccines, and parents who said false claims about measles are 'definitely' or 'probably true' were more likely to have skipped vaccinations for their kids. "Those parents are more than twice as likely to say that they have delayed or skipped some vaccines for their children compared to parents who don't believe any of those claims," Liz Hamel, director of public opinion and survey research at KFF, told NPR, adding, "I think this is one of the more concerning findings from the poll."
The Independent
23-04-2025
- Health
- The Independent
False information is spreading about measles vaccine as more admit hearing fake claims it's linked to autism
Misinformation about the measles outbreak across West Texas and the U.S. is spreading with more Americans reporting hearing false claims - and it comes with potentially deadly consequences. Even as the number of national cases has exceeded 800 and two children have died, 'false and misleading statements' regarding the measles virus and vaccines used to target measles have continued to circulate, a new KFF Health poll found. One of those false claims is regarding a link between autism in children and the shots. The survey reported that approximately 63 percent of adults said they have read or heard the false claim that the vaccines have been proven to cause autism in children. There is no link between autism and the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, which is 97 percent effective against infection. Notably, the majority of respondents who heard the false claim were white, compared to fewer Black and Hispanic adults. But, that's not the only false information being passed around. A third of adults and parents have heard or read the false claim that getting the measles vaccine is more dangerous than becoming infected, and one in five adults – and 17 percent of parents – have heard or read the false claim that Vitamin A can prevent infections. Vitamin A has been presented by Health and Human Services Sec. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., as a potential treatment for infection, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updating its guidance to say administration of the vitamin 'may be appropriate.' But, experts caution that while vitamin A can prevent complications, it should not be used to try to prevent infections. 'Vitamin A, at any dose, does not protect you from measles,' Dr. James D. Campbell, vice chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases, said earlier this year. 'No one should take, and no parent should give to their child, vitamin A in hopes of preventing measles. It will not do that.' Getting the measles vaccine is much safer than infection, the CDC notes. Nevertheless, the shares of adults and parents who have heard the false claim that receiving the measles vaccine is more dangerous than getting infected with measles has increased by 15 percentage points since March 2024. Belief or disbelief in false claims about measles fell along party lines. At least one in five Republicans and independents said they think each of the three false claims about measles are either 'definitely' or 'probably true,' compared to smaller shares of Democrats. And, 35 percent of Republicans and 26 percent of independents said they think the false claim that the vaccines have been proven to cause autism in children are either 'definitely' or 'probably true.' Fewer Republican parents expressed confidence in the safety of measles vaccines, and parents who said false claims about measles are 'definitely' or 'probably true' were more likely to have skipped vaccinations for their kids. "Those parents are more than twice as likely to say that they have delayed or skipped some vaccines for their children compared to parents who don't believe any of those claims," Liz Hamel, director of public opinion and survey research at KFF, told NPR, adding, "I think this is one of the more concerning findings from the poll."
Newsweek
23-04-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Medical Debt Will No Longer Affect Credit Scores for 300,000 Americans
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Lawmakers in Washington have approved a bill that stops collection agencies from reporting medical debt to credit agencies. Why It Matters Many Americans struggle with medical debt, which can affect their credit scores and in turn their ability to borrow the funds necessary to buy a house or car. According to KFF Health, in 2021, 6 percent of U.S. adults, or 14 million people, owed more than $1,000 in medical debt, while about 3 million people owed medical debt of more than $10,000. In Washington, the outlet reported, 380,000 people carried medical debt between 2019 and 2021. What To Know On Tuesday, Governor Bob Ferguson signed legislation banning medical debt from appearing on credit reports into law, after the proposed bill passed both the Washington House and Senate. According to an August 2024 report by Northwest Health Law Advocates, about six in 10 Washington adults could not pay an unexpected $500 medical bill, and about 30 percent said they lived in a household with medical debt, even if they had health insurance. Fifty-seven percent of surveyed Washingtonians said they had avoided seeking medical treatment or modified their use of prescriptions in the prior year because of the cost. In January, the Trump administration blocked a similar rule to eliminate medical debt from credit reporting that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau had finalized. The rule was projected to boost credit scores for 15 million Americans by an average of 20 points. A stock image of a medical bill arranged with U.S. dollars and a stethoscope. A stock image of a medical bill arranged with U.S. dollars and a stethoscope. GETTY What People Are Saying Washington state Senator Marcus Riccelli, who co-sponsored the bill, said in a news release on Tuesday: "One of the top concerns in my district is rising costs, especially when it comes to health care. This bill will ensure that people in our state who have a medical emergency will be better protected from a credit rating change that can threaten basic needs like buying a car, renting an apartment, or even getting a job. No one should have to endure financial ruin to seek life-saving care, especially when so many people are struggling to afford the basics." Washington Governor Bob Ferguson said on X, formerly Twitter: "Medical debt is a significant issue for many Washingtonians. SB 5480 prohibits the reporting of medical debt to credit agencies. If it is reported, it will be void and unenforceable. This doesn't erase medical debt, but it lessens impact to credit scores." Adam Zarrin, the director of state government affairs for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, said in a news release: "Medical debt isn't a choice—it's a consequence of rising health care costs. Thanks to Gov. Ferguson and Sen. Riccelli, thousands of Washingtonians can finally breathe easier, break free from crushing medical debt, and focus on their health and families." What Happens Next The legislation is scheduled to take effect on July 27.
Newsweek
21-04-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Medical Debt to Be Forgiven for Thousands Under New Proposal: What to Know
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A Vermont bill that would eliminate tens of millions of dollars in medical debt for people in Vermont is a step closer to becoming law. Why It Matters According to the Vermont State Treasurer, more than 1 in 10 people in the Green Mountain State hold medical debt. Nationwide, approximately 14 million people owe more than $1,000 in medical debt, and about 3 million people owe medical debt of over $10,000, according to KFF Health. What To Know The Vermont House of Representatives approved a measure on Friday that "allocates $1 million to contract with a nonprofit to purchase and forgive certain medical debts and prohibit reporting medical debt to credit agencies." The bill has already passed the state Senate. The bill also enhances consumer protections by aiming to ensure fair practices in medical debt collection and by increasing oversight of how medical debt is reported and utilized. Vermont Treasurer Mike Pieciak said the proposal will eliminate some $100 million of medical debt for more than 60,000 moderate- and low-income people in Vermont. Such debts will also be prohibited from showing on Vermonters' credit reports, he said. The proposal was first made in January, with Peiciak spearheading the effort alongside two Democrats: Senator Ginny Lyons and Representative Alyssa Black. Stock image of a stethoscope laid over U.S. currency. Stock image of a stethoscope laid over U.S. currency. GETTY What People Are Saying Vermont Speaker of the House Jill Krowinski: "Vermonters should not face financial peril because they sought needed medical treatment and ended up falling into medical debt. With the passage of S.27, we are taking a powerful step to relieve that burden, protecting families from unfair credit penalties and showing that compassion and fiscal responsibility can go hand in hand. This bill is about dignity, economic fairness, and giving Vermonters the opportunity for a fresh start." Vermont Treasurer Mike Pieciak said in a press release: "Vermont has some of the highest health care costs in the country, putting many Vermonters at risk of bankruptcy from a medical emergency through no fault of their own. Our proposal will eliminate medical debt and provide life-changing relief to tens of thousands of Vermonters." Representative Alyssa Black, chair of the Vermont House Health Care Committee, said in January: "Medical debt doesn't reflect someone's financial responsibility. It's a reflection of the gaps in our health care system. By removing it from credit reports, we're giving people a chance to rebuild their lives without medical debt holding them back." What Happens Next A third reading of the bill will take place on Tuesday, before it heads to the Senate for consideration of minor amendments. Pieciak said he believes that the "Senate will concur with those amendments pretty quickly, and then the bill will go to the governor for his consideration."
