Latest KFF Health News Stories
Different Takes: Most People Seem To Be Ignoring Covid; US Must Declare Monkeypox An Emergency
Opinion writers weigh in on covid, monkeypox and more public health topics.
Conservatives Leverage Biden’s Covid To Spread Vaccine Misinformation
Newsweek reports some are using the president’s covid infection to question the efficacy of vaccines. Separately, Politico reports that Vice President Kamala Harris is mulling a more aggressive stance on protecting abortion rights. Also: same-sex marriage, a potential probe into Dr. Anthony Fauci’s pandemic role, and more.
Have Health Insurance? It May Not Tally With You Having Good Health
A report in Modern Healthcare deals with the notion that having health insurance is a “proxy” for patients also reporting good health, with a new study underlining that racial identity is a better indicator of health status. Also in the news: gun control, mental health barriers, a drug recall, and more.
6% Of Children Show Covid Symptoms At 90 Days In Hospital Tests
CIDRAP reports on a worrying statistic: around 6% of children visiting emergency departments for covid tests show symptoms long after they are typically found. Separately, scientists are focusing in on why some people seem able to skirt catching covid, even though BA.5 may interfere with this work.
Block On Kentucky’s Abortion Ban Remains
A judge says there is a “substantial likelihood” that Kentucky’s near-total abortion ban violates the state’s constitution. Other regional abortion news is reported from Missouri, Minnesota, Indiana, Wyoming, and other states.
Next White House Goal: New Generation Of Covid Vaccines To Target Variants
Stat reports that Biden administration officials will hold a “summit” Tuesday with scientists, public health experts and vaccine manufacturers on Tuesday to kick start efforts to develop next-generation vaccinations. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden’s covid symptoms are improving as he continues to take antiviral medication.
WHO Upgrades Monkeypox To Highest Level Of Emergency Alert
The World Health Organization declared the monkeypox outbreak to be a global emergency, with more than 16,000 cases reported across 75 nations. The White House praised the “call to action” for a coordinated international response, but some lawmakers want the U.S. to do more.
Abortion Wait Times Balloon As Interstate Patients Stress Clinics
It’s becoming harder to obtain care in states where abortion is still legal due in large part to cross-border travel, researchers find. Related news reports on the role of Catholic hospitals, sterilizations, and more.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on covid, monkeypox, Gen Z health care, aging, seizures, and more.
Opinion writers weigh in on covid and reproductive health care issues.
Viewpoints: US Approach To Mental Health Care Is Broken; Kids Struggle With Lack Of Sleep
Editorial writers examine America’s mental health struggles as well as other public health topics.
Pfizer’s Covid Shots Prove Effective At Keeping Kids Out Of Hospital
Two doses of Pfizer’s covid vaccine were 82.7% effective at preventing hospitalizations among 5- to 11-year olds. Separately, an experimental oral covid vaccine is reportedly showing promise, and a Gates Foundation study found existing boosters were surprisingly good against BA.5.
Letting ACA Tax Credits Expire Would Wreak Havoc, Insurers Warn
Along with hospital and doctors’ groups, they are urging Congress to extend the subsidies before lawmakers leave Washington for their August recess, Modern Healthcare reports. Also in the news: magic mushrooms and medical device maker Hanger.
New York Reports Polio Case But Says Threat To Vaccinated Public Is Low
The unvaccinated individual with the infection may have indirectly caught it from an overseas source and is no longer infectious. A Medicaid repayment, postpartum Medicaid expansion, fentanyl, and how heat impacts blood pressure medications are also in the news.
Next Step In ‘Moonshot’: White House Picks Surgeon To Lead Cancer Institute
Prominent oncologist Dr. Monica Bertagnolli, a surgeon at Dana-Farber Cancer Center and a professor at Harvard Medical School, will lead the $7 billion biomedical research institute that funds most of the nation’s cancer research, Stat reported.
Small Turtles May Be To Blame For 11-State Salmonella Outbreak
The CDC announced the discovery of a link to purchases of turtles with shells less than 4 inches long. Separately, the CDC said another 17 puzzling hepatitis cases in children had been reported, and the new 988 suicide hotline is encountering mistrust in black communities.
Patients Sent Home As Georgia’s Abortion Law Does An About-Face
AP reports that the fast changes in Georgia’s legal stance on abortion this week meant some patients who were awaiting treatment were forced to leave medical offices. Other complex legal cases are also reported.
Monkeypox Research Gets $140M Boost From White House
The money is aimed at a 22-target research agenda, hopefully to understand and control rising cases. Meanwhile, the House Oversight and Reform Committee told the Department of Health and Human Services to address barriers that some people have found in accessing monkeypox treatments.
Bill To Guarantee Contraception Access Passes House
The legislation, aimed at countering possible Supreme Court action, passed with 195 Republicans voting against it. Prospects in the Senate are uncertain. Meanwhile, stories of the costs and barriers to obtaining birth control are also in the news.