Latest KFF Health News Content

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Alarming Covid Spike In New Jersey; NYC Mayor Vows No Shutdowns

Morning Briefing

The Teaneck Daily Voice reports on a surge in covid cases which has forced all township buildings closed to the public. Teaneck was where covid first hit New Jersey. AP reports on a “huge” spike in covid cases in New York, but Mayor Bill de Blasio has said he won’t implement more lockdowns.

Covid Health Disparities Targeted By New HHS Digital Startup Scheme

Morning Briefing

Federal support will go to more than a dozen digital health startups as part of the “PandemicX Accelerator”, with the goal of reducing health inequalities exposed during the pandemic. Also, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services won’t allow more home drug infusions for Medicaid beneficiaries.

Coverage Of Disasters In Media Linked To Child Mental Harm

Morning Briefing

Researchers in Florida analyzed children participating in a long-term brain development study and found a link to negative impacts on mental health from disaster coverage. Separately, the Food and Drug Administration investigates listeria infections linked to pre-packed salads.

Federal Prisoners Can Stay In Home Confinement Until Health Emergency Ends

Morning Briefing

As the covid pandemic endures, the Justice Department announced its decision that the U.S. Bureau of Prisons does not yet have to reincarcerate people still serving federal sentences under home confinement. Other Biden administration news relates to the supply chain, economic aid, vaccine patents and birth control coverage.

Supreme Court Upholds New Mexico’s State Worker Vaccine Mandate

Morning Briefing

The New Mexico mandate, which does have provision for medical and religious exemptions, applies to hospital workers, nursing home staff and more, and had been challenged in court. Meanwhile, California will mandate its health workers to get a booster shot amid the threat of omicron.

Hospitals Are Literally Begging For Help

Morning Briefing

Six Cleveland-area medical systems placed an ad in Ohio’s biggest newspaper saying simply, “Help.” Meanwhile, Massachusetts deployed the National Guard to aid hospitals in dealing with too many covid patients. Across the U.S., covid cases are rising quickly and dramatically.

US Death Rates Up, Birth Rates Hit Record Lows. Blame Covid, Of Course

Morning Briefing

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, population growth for the U.S. during 2021 was the lowest since the founding of the nation. Meanwhile, the AP says 2021 is set to be the country’s deadliest year yet. The inevitable reason for the double-blow to the populace is, inevitably, the pandemic.

Flying On A Plane Two Or Three Times More Risky For Catching Omicron

Morning Briefing

A top medical adviser is reported by Bloomberg as saying the risk of catching covid on a flight is much higher thanks to the omicron variant. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is under pressure from Delta Air Line’s CEO to relax worker quarantine rules.

It May Not Be March 2020, But Biden Urges Caution And Vaccinations

Morning Briefing

Yes, we now have covid vaccines, antibody treatments and a lot more knowledge about the virus. But President Joe Biden marked a critical moment in the pandemic — as the omicron variant surges — particularly speaking to those who haven’t had the shot yet: “Almost everyone who has died in the past many months has been unvaccinated.” The president also provided details about his administration’s testing and hospital staffing expansion plans.

Omicron Patients 80% Less Likely To Be Hospitalized, New Study Finds

Morning Briefing

The study compared omicron and delta infections in South Africa between April and November. In another hint of good news, there are some signs that infections in South Africa may have passed a peak.

Retailers Ration At-Home Covid Tests As Holiday Demand Outpaces Supply

Morning Briefing

As covid cases spike and Americans seek assurance before gathering for the holidays, CVS, Walgreens and Walmart are among the pharmacies and stores that are limiting purchases of rapid at-home tests.

Around 10,000 Containers Of Medical Supplies Stuck In Shipping Delay

Morning Briefing

The shipping crunch is also affecting the health industry, Modern Healthcare reports, with resources delayed an average of up to 37 days by U.S. supply chain congestion. Meanwhile, Oracle has confirmed it will buy electronic medical records firm Cerner for $28.3 billion.

Rite Aid To Shut Another 63 Stores; CVS Announces Some Of Its Closures

Morning Briefing

Rite Aid hasn’t disclosed the locations of the closing stores. Meanwhile, CVS Pharmacy says it will close six San Francisco stores in January, part of a plan to close around 900 stores across the country. In other news, Purdue Pharma’s “ripple effect” on bankruptcies, insider trading accusations over a cancer drug, medical marijuana and autism, and more.

Novavax Covid Shot Approved For Emergency Use By EU, WHO

Morning Briefing

Axios reports that the approval of Novavax will likely be a boon for vaccinating the developing world — the shot is highly effective against covid and can be stored at normal refrigerator temperatures. Also in the news: Japan’s covid case count falls and fake covid health passes in France.

FDA Authorizes First HIV Preventive Given By A Shot

Morning Briefing

Instead of daily PrEP pills, an injection would be administered every other month. The oral medication, which can decrease the risk of sexually-transmitted HIV by 99%, is less effective if not taken on schedule.

Price Of Alzheimer’s Drug Aduhelm Halved To $28,200

Morning Briefing

News outlets report on Biogen’s reaction to “slower-than-expected” U.S. sales. Hospitals have complained that the controversial drug’s high cost wasn’t worth its benefits. Biogen is also seeking to save $500 million in costs across the company next year.

Houston Crowd Booed Trump After He Admitted He Got A Booster

Morning Briefing

The New York Times notes Donald Trump had for “years falsely claimed vaccines were dangerous.” The Daily Beast reports he later had to be consoled by journalist Bill O’Reilly. Separately, 97% of vaccinated residents in Massachusetts who got covid avoided the hospital.