Latest KFF Health News Content

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Moderna Begins Trial Of HIV Vaccine

Morning Briefing

The vaccine is based on the same mRNA technology used to create its covid vaccine. On Thursday, it administered the first doses to volunteers at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, news outlets reported.

Omicron Might Have Peaked, But The Pandemic’s Not Over — Nor Is Delta

Morning Briefing

News outlets remind us that 1) delta covid, more severe if less infectious than omicron, is still a persistent threat; 2) the omicron surge may be fading in places, but the pandemic isn’t done amid still-spotty immunity; and 3) omicron isn’t “over,” and the effects of covid on health and care will linger through 2022.

With So Much At Stake On High Court, Time Is Of The Essence For A Nominee

Morning Briefing

The White House has signaled that it intends to move quickly on naming a replacement for Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer. President Biden has said he intends to choose by the end of February, Politico reported, but his history of missing deadlines has caused concern among Democrats.

Denmark Decides The Pandemic Is Over

Morning Briefing

In a move that seems to brand covid an endemic problem, Denmark is going to drop all restrictions and label the virus not a threat to society. England has also lifted restrictions, with recent omicron surges fading, though a report shows the U.K. is suffering racial disparities in vaccines and deaths.

Study Finds A Cancer Drug Could Help Quash HIV Infections

Morning Briefing

Pembrolizumab, also known as Keytruda, may be able to flush out HIV from immune cells in people who’ve controlled their infections. Among other news, a Gilead anti-cancer drug may have hit a serious safety snag in trials, and out-of-pocket expenses for hepatitis B drugs have been rising.

Michigan Wants To Investigate Eli Lilly For Excessive Insulin Pricing

Morning Briefing

The state Attorney General is seeking court approval to investigate the drugmaker, accusing it of overly-high prices that have a “devastating impact” on diabetes-sufferer’s lives. Meanwhile, legal marijuana bills are advancing in Delaware, Mississippi and South Dakota.

Biden’s Health Worker Covid Vaccine Deadline Arrives

Morning Briefing

Workers in health care industries in about half the states have until today to get their first shot under the Biden administration’s mandate; Montana’s governor is seeking exemptions where losing staff may jeopardize health care access. And pushback against military vaccination mandates continues.

Labor Department Scolds 30 Insurers For Not Covering Mental Health Needs

Morning Briefing

A government report released Tuesday doesn’t name specific companies but mentioned at least one “large service provider.” One of the most common violations was limitations or exclusions or coverage of therapy for autism, Modern Healthcare reported.

Study Says Gas Stoves Leak All The Time, Threaten Public Health, Climate

Morning Briefing

Though the study is small-scale and based only on California data, the findings are striking — with permanent leaks from stoves and fittings even when turned off. Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration is being called on to ban BPA in plastics that are in contact with food.

White House Diverted Hospital-Helping Covid Funds To Vaccine Drive

Morning Briefing

Stat reports that nearly $7 billion was shifted from a fund designed to help hospitals and clinics during the stresses of the pandemic and was instead used to buy vaccines and therapeutics. Health worker burnout, Neil Young’s music off Spotify, and a poll about covid staying “forever” are also in the news.

Omicron Now 99.9% Dominant Variant, Causes More Daily Deaths Than Delta

Morning Briefing

U.S. daily average deaths from covid are exceeding the peak reached during the height of the earlier delta surge, as data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show the omicron variant is now accounting for 99.9% of all new cases.

Moderna Tests Omicron Vaccine, Says Original Booster Fades Over 6 Months

Morning Briefing

Earlier this week, Pfizer began its own trial of an omicron-specific shot. Initial results from that study are expected in the first half of the year; Moderna did not say when it expects to have results.