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Preliminary data from three separate research teams suggest the latest anxiety-inducing Covid variant isn’t quite the threat many had feared. BA.2.86 — or what some armchair epidemiologists have dubbed “Pirola” — does seem capable of escaping some of our prior immunity, but we’re not left defenseless. (Lisa Jarvis, 9/6)

Remember all that happy talk about our federal system and letting states decide for themselves whether to allow abortion in the wake of the Dobbs ruling last year? Some states would prohibit abortion; some would allow it; and, as Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh assured us, women in abortion-banning states would be free to travel elsewhere to obtain the procedure. (Ruth Marcus, 9/6)

Hallucinogenic drugs known as psychedelics have generated great enthusiasm within the scientific community for their potential to treat post-traumatic stress disorder, severe depression and other mental health diagnoses. In no way, however, does that justify their recreational use. (Leana S. Wen, 9/6)

Loneliness crushes the soul, but researchers are finding it does far more damage than that. It is linked to strokes, heart disease, dementia, inflammation and suicide; it breaks the heart literally as well as figuratively. (Nicholas Kristof, 9/6)

On Aug. 29, Medicare released its highly anticipated list of 10 therapies for which it plans to establish a price by 2026. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), passed in August 2022, gives Medicare pricing power over therapies that both cost Medicare lots of money and have by 2026 enjoyed market exclusivity for a certain number of years — nine for small-molecule drugs and 13 for biologics. (Arti K. Rai, 9/6)

One day, Bob told Jim on the phone that there was no money to be made in finding ways to reduce costs in health care. Jim said he found that hard to believe. Then he said, “There’s maybe a book in this.” And so there was. The book they wrote together is “Why Not Better and Cheaper? Healthcare and Innovation,” and it was published in June. (Peter Coy, 9/6)

A recent study prompted CNN to report, “Most cancer screenings don’t ultimately give someone extra time beyond their regular lifespan.” Does that mean it’s time to dismantle the cancer screening infrastructure in the United States? Probably not. (Peter B. Bach, 9/7)

Health care providers have a sacrosanct relationship with patients. That unique position of trust also puts them in a position of power over their patients. Far too often — as exemplified by the recent case involving a New York doctor accused of drugging and assaulting his patients, or the former pediatrician facing more than 100 lawsuits by former patients — predators are able to exploit that power to sexually abuse patients. (Michelle Simpson Tuegel, 9/7)

Pencils, backpacks, water bottles and a long list of other must-haves are on the back-to-school list for students as the new school year kicks off. Vaccinations also should be checked off that list. (9/6)