Ken Alltucker
USA TODAY
Fairfax, VA, United States
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Past articles by Ken:
Eli Lilly says new Alzheimer's drug donanemab slows early stages of disease by 35%
Lilly said people on the drug donanemab slowed decline by 35% based on a measure of daily activities such as driving and talking about current events. → Read More
US faces 'perfect storm' nurse staffing crisis: About a third plan to leave, survey finds
Two reports show how nurses perceive their profession amid a staffing crisis, growing workloads and stressed hospitals. → Read More
Eli Lilly to cut insulin prices up to 70% amid federal pressure to lower costs
Drugmaker Eli Lilly says it will cut its insulin prices up to 70% and cap out-of-pocket costs for privately insured consumers at $35 a month. → Read More
First it was blood pressure medication. Now FDA eyes more drugs for cancer-causing chemical.
Here's what the FDA is doing to protect consumers after drugs such as quinapril, Zantac and Metformin were recalled over chemicals linked to cancer. → Read More
Here's why Medicaid coverage and free COVID tests, treatments will soon change
About 15 million may lose health insurance in May when the COVID emergency ends. Meanwhile, free vaccines and treatments will end by summer. → Read More
Medicare launches plan to negotiate prices for the costliest drugs. Here's what to know.
As part of the Inflation Reduction Act, Medicare will negotiate drug prices, limit annual price hikes and cap insulin costs paid by older Americans. → Read More
FDA approves new drug lecanemab that appears to slow early, mild Alzheimer's
Federal drug regulators on Friday approved lecanemab, sold under the brand name Leqembi, an Alzheimer’s drug that appears to slow the disease. → Read More
Amid backlash, CDC's new opioid guidance aims to curb addiction and treat patients
The CDC issued new guidance for doctors who treat pain patients that reverses a 2016 version that was used to sharply curtail opioid prescriptions. → Read More
'Calm before the storm': Health insurance costs set to spike after they stayed mostly flat in 2022, survey finds
Kaiser Family Foundation survey reports average cost for an employer-provided health increased just 1% this year. → Read More
Vitality is key to overall health, but survey finds most Americans aren't thriving
A survey finds 18% of adults have high vitality and are healthier, exercise more and less obese. Researchers believe it's a key to overall health. → Read More
Searching for a nursing home? Biden administration takes 'unprecedented step' to release ownership data
The nursing home data is part of the Biden administration's effort to shine a light on an industry that receives substantial federal funding. → Read More
Investigation into pivotal Alzheimer's study raises questions on suspected disease culprit
A new report casts doubt on a 2006 Alzheimer’s study, but researchers say it does not undercut the prevailing theory into the origin of the disease. → Read More
FDA bans Juul's vapes, pods citing 'conflicting' data on potentially harmful chemicals
Juul must cease sales of its vaping device under the FDA ruling. The ban does not restrict customers from using the products. → Read More
Employees push back against wellness programs requiring they get medical checks or pay fees
With no clear federal rules on incentives for health screenings, a lawsuit at Yale University spotlights measures that penalize some workers. → Read More
Those ‘free’ COVID tests you take? Labs are raking in millions in tax dollars, study says
A new study highlights mounting costs of COVID testing paid by taxpayers through federal health programs or consumers who buy private insurance. → Read More
Groups object to Medicare push to suppress reporting of harm done to patients at hospitals
Medicare's proposed rule would limit reporting next year for 10 types of medical complications at hospitals. The agency worries COVID distorts data. → Read More
FDA authorizes Pfizer COVID vaccine booster for children 5 to 11
FDA authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID booster for children ages 5 to 11 five months after they have finished the first two-shot vaccination series. → Read More
Report: 5 to 14 million Americans could lose Medicaid coverage when COVID-19 pandemic ends
The federal government has sent billions in federal aid to states for Medicaid coverage during the pandemic. Millions are at risk of losing coverage. → Read More
Millions of people could lose health insurance coverage when the COVID-19 emergency ends
Congress authorized robust federal aid to states as long as they agreed to not remove people from Medicaid until the COVID-19 emergency ends. → Read More
Pop-up COVID test sites and labs capitalize on lax regulations, prey on vulnerable Americans
Heavy demand for COVID-19 testing attracted lab operators who benefitted from a narrow regulatory loophole while collecting millions in federal funds. → Read More