Latest KFF Health News Stories
In An 11-Month First, No One Died Of Covid In This Montana County Last Week
In a positive sign about the pandemic’s trajectory, it’s the first time since May 2021 that no deaths were reported in Yellowstone County, Montana. But in Boston, reports say the covid test positivity rate rose over 5% for the first time since mid-February, possibly due to a surge of omicron BA.2.
Researchers Made An Ad Using Trump To Promote Vaccines — It Worked
The online ad using footage of the former president was targeted at over 1,000 U.S. counties where vaccination rates are low — and it resulted in more shots given in those counties than in ones where the ad wasn’t shown. Axios also reports that some hesitant parents are finally warming to shots.
CDC Announces Plan To Modernize In Wake Of Pandemic Response
CDC Director Rochelle Walensky unveiled her agency’s plan to revamp itself and hired an outside senior federal health official to conduct a one-month review.
Senators Reach Deal For $10 Billion In Covid Funds
The relief package is on track to clear Congress this week after negotiators agreed to a compromise Monday. The deal leverages unused money to keep federal covid testing, treatment and vaccine programs on track — but is far smaller than the White House says is needed for future pandemic efforts.
Votes Secured In Order To Confirm Jackson To Supreme Court
Ketanji Brown Jackson is poised to be approved to the Supreme Court later this week after three Republican senators joined Democrats to advance her nomination to a full Senate vote.
Biden Targets ACA ‘Glitch’ To Make Insurance More Affordable For Families
The planned fix for the Affordable Care Act’s “family glitch” would provide premium subsidies under a marketplace plan if a worker’s employer family plan costs more than 10% of their income. The proposed rule will be announced during a White House event Tuesday — attended by former President Barack Obama — where President Joe Biden will also order federal agencies to look for additional affordability measures in ACA plans.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid and vaccine issues.
Special Report: A Deeper Dive Into Cancer Breakthroughs
Axios discusses cancer treatments and their expensive price tags, how death rates have dropped, how covid affected cancer care, and more. Also, a new rapid test could be a boon for cancer patients.
Bans On Gender-Affirming Care Unconstitutional, DOJ Warns States
The Department of Justice said “state laws and policies that prevent parents or guardians from following the advice of a health care professional” concerning gender care of minors may be unconstitutional. Herbicide use in Missouri, abortion haven laws, and more are also in the news.
UK Suffering Record Covid Surge: 1 In 13 People Infected
During the last week around 5 million people were estimated to have current covid infections in the U.K., mostly with omicron BA.2. The New York Times reports the British government also just scaled back covid monitoring, meaning a data drought is expected that could affect other nations’ plans.
Health Care Employment Suddenly Stopped Growing In March
A report in Modern Healthcare says industry hiring saw the smallest increase in a year, even during the ongoing staff shortages caused by the pandemic. Meanwhile, a United Healthcare contract disagreement means thousands of members lost in-network access to Broward Health hospitals.
Poor Student Mental Health Prompts Teachers To Learn Skills To Help
AP and ABC News cover the mental health crisis in schools, which has spurred some teachers to learn mental health first-aid techniques and is driving a discussion over starting school at a later time during the morning. Other mental and public health matters are also reported.
Covid Deaths Of Nursing Home Residents Fall To New Lows
Separately, new laws are allowing some patients to have visitors even during a covid outbreak. Elsewhere, some schools are re-instating mask mandates in response to covid surges, and experts and officials are warning the pandemic is not over thanks to the highly infectious omicron BA.2.
Opioid Deaths Soar, Leaving States Scrambling For Solutions
Media outlets cover a worsening of the opioid epidemic, with AP noting the situation is now “even deadlier.” Fentanyl contamination of illicit drugs is blamed. Separately, The Street and Stat cover news from Vertex Pharmaceuticals on the progress of a new non-opioid pain drug.
CDC Reports Uptick In Norovirus Cases
The outbreaks do not appear linked to covid, but the the lifting of covid restrictions may be helping the stomach flu virus spread. Meanwhile, oysters harvested in British Columbia are tied to outbreaks of norovirus.
ACA Special Enrollment Could Aid Those Who May Soon Lose Medicaid
The pandemic emergency declaration expanded Medicaid qualification for many Americans. That will end when the emergency is lifted. People who fall off the Medicaid rolls could take advantage of a special enrollment period for Affordable Care Act plans.
House Votes For Federal Decriminalization Of Marijuana
Measures in the bill, passed Friday in a House vote, would also expunge pot-related federal convictions, tax cannabis producers and importers and prevent the federal government from denying security clearances over marijuana use. Similar Senate legislation is unlikely to move forward.
Obama To Join Biden At White House Celebration Of ACA
The event Tuesday, part of a Biden administration push to highlight efforts to help Americans with pocketbook issues, will celebrate the law’s impact in lowering health costs and expanding access to care.