Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Will China’s Latest Lockdown Halt Omicron?; Scolding The Unmasked Is Ineffective
Opinion writers examine these covid related issues.
Different Takes: Changing How We View Opioid Addiction; Ideas For Safeguarding Kids’ Mental Health
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health issues.
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 mental health care, weight discrimination, senior home care, and more.
Census Data: Texas’ Uninsured Rate Is Twice National Average
According to newly released census data, while the nation’s uninsured rate fell to 8.7% in 2020 (from a figure of 15% in 2013), Texas fell badly behind the national average figure. Meanwhile, Biden admin officials met with LGBTQ+ students from Florida to talk about the controversial “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
Generic Pfizer Covid Pill Will Be Made By 35 Companies
After negotiations to allow third parties to produce Pfizer’s covid pill Paxlovid, companies around the world will start manufacturing it to boost access to the drug. Separately, the vaccination rate in Africa is picking up after a slow start.
Calif. House Moves To End Health Plans’ Out-Of-Pocket Abortion Costs
California already requires insurers to cover abortion, but health plan members often must still pay for co-pays and deductibles, which can total hundreds of dollars. This would eliminate those fees. In other state abortion news, Tennessee’s Senate speaker says he won’t support legislation modeled on a Texas law that bans abortions after six weeks and allows private citizens to enforce the measure. He says it would complicate a legal case on Tennessee’s efforts to restrict abortion.
As Covid Started To Soar, US Smokers Stopped Puffing
As the respiratory virus covid-19 spread quickly around the world in 2020, U.S. cigarette smoking fell to an all-time low with just 1 in 8 adults saying they were smokers. E-cigarette use fell, too. Separately, daytime napping among older people is linked to Alzheimer’s risks by a new study.
Special Report: El Paso Police Dept. Struggles With Overdose Drug Narcan
El Paso Matters reports on the use of overdose-stopping drug Narcan, noting that El Paso Police Department officers don’t carry doses routinely, even though evidence from other police departments shows its effectiveness in saving lives. Media outlets cover other drug crisis news.
VA Watchdog Finds Serious Patient Safety Issues With EHR System
Just weeks before a scheduled rollout to a second hospital, the Department of Veterans Affairs inspector general released three reports Thursday that identify unresolved problems with the agency’s $16 billion update to its massive digital health records system. The safety issues range from medication errors to a lack of safeguards for veterans at high danger of suicide.
Cancer Diagnosis Costs A Quarter Of Patients All Their Savings
An Axios report says that half of cancer patients in the U.S. are in medical debt. In other drug pricing news, Medicare premiums are soon to decrease based on a decision over the Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm, and Ohio is targeting pharmacy benefit managers over potential illegal price hikes.
A Covid Mystery: Why Are Some People Good At Avoiding Infection?
Even though the covid virus is highly transmissible, experts believe that taking proper precautions — especially getting vaccinated — and being careful about where you socialize helps many people from getting infected with covid. Genetics may also play a role. And a radio reporter describes the unexpectedly long road to recovery.
Why Hasn’t Biden Taken Another Covid Test This Week?
President Joe Biden has not had a covid test since “last Sunday,” the White House said, despite having close calls this week with two people who have tested positive for covid. As Politico reports, the White House has been vague about whether the president is tested just once a week, or if it varies.
States Try To Beat Nurse Staffing Crisis; Nurses Themselves Not To Blame
Media outlets cover ongoing staff shortages in nursing and other medical roles. Las Vegas nurses say it’s not their fault, and Stateline reports on several efforts to boost nursing schools. Modern Healthcare notes daily demands on women in particular make staying in health roles difficult.
Moderna Asks FDA To Allow All Adults To Get Second Covid Booster
Moderna’s application Thursday for FDA approval of a fourth covid vaccine shot for anyone 18 or older is broader than the one submitted by Pfizer and BioNTech earlier this week, which asked that an additional dose be authorized for people 65 and up. Both applications rely on data from Israel, which news outlets explore further.
Pelosi Pushes For $45 Billion In Covid Aid Amid High-Stakes Stalemate
Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and Dr. Anthony Fauci met with Democratic lawmakers Thursday to plead for additional funding to maintain critical anti-covid vaccine, testing and treatment programs. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi urged the White House to ask for more money than it did in its initial proposal, while she and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer search for a way to get a package passed.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers examine these covid topics, as well as health insurance matters.
Editorial writers delve into these public health issues.
Research Roundup: Autism; Breast Cancer; Fertility; Immune Response
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.