Latest KFF Health News Stories
North Carolina Seeing Rising Need For Mental Health Beds
Meanwhile, in Georgia, lawmakers are moving as a bipartisan group to improve mental health provisions in the state in the wake of the pandemic, trying to lift Georgia from 48th place on the Mental Health America ranking. L.A., Houston, Florida and live music are also in the news.
Kaiser Permanente Averts Worker Strike In Union Deal
An alliance of unions representing about 50,000 Kaiser Permanente staff agreed to a call off a strike after reaching a deal. Trustee investments, liens, Illinois’ troubled health program and the nursing staff shortage are also in the news.
Covid Cases Still Not In Decline
Indeed, the seven-day average of new cases is edging back up. And pockets of covid infections are still overwhelming hospitals.
More Are Using By-Mail Abortion Pills, Despite Legal Grey Areas
The AP reports on the rise of by-mail abortion pills and how their use in states with anti-abortion laws may fall into legal grey areas. Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal reports on a rise of eating disorders among young boys. Rural pharmacies are in serious decline and a fun study of the infectious diseases James Bond could have got.
Effectiveness Of Covid Vaccines Over Time Examined
Scientists compile evidence on the waning effectiveness of covid vaccines and which ones generate the most antibodies.
Health Measures In Spending Bill Wouldn’t Kick In Until After Midterms
As Democrats return to another work week dominated by efforts to finalize a deal on the social and safety net spending bill, those efforts may not help them much in the upcoming 2022 elections.
Slow Rollout Of Booster Shots Questioned
Governors of California, Colorado and New Mexico are going beyond the CDC recommendations and encouraging covid vaccine booster doses for all adults.
Medicare Premiums Jump Because Of Alzheimer’s Drug
Aduhelm, the Alzheimer’s drug made by Biogen, which costs $56,000 a year, is driving up the overall price that all older Americans pay for Medicare outpatient care. The 14.5% increase is the third-largest percentage increase since 2007.
Appeals Court Halts OSHA Vaccine Mandates
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is blocking the OSHA vaccine mandate for employers of 100 or more people. The issue is expected to make its way to the Supreme Court.
It’s Califf: Biden Finally Taps Nominee To Head FDA
Former Food and Drug Commissioner Robert Califf is up again for his old job. President Joe Biden’s nomination has been met with criticism by some advocacy groups, but news outlets report that Califf is expected to be confirmed.
DeSantis Continues Battle Against Vaccine Mandates
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wants the state legislature to block vaccine mandates, with penalties against businesses and local governments that require covid shots.
First Edition: November 15, 2021
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages delve into these public health issues.
Spending Package Could Mean Coverage For 2 Million Uninsured In Southeast
Georgia Health News notes about 2.2 million low-income adults would be eligible for government-funded health insurance under the $1.75 trillion spending package. Meanwhile, more North Carolinians die of traumatic brain injuries than the national average.
About Half Of November’s Covid Deaths So Far Were In Europe
Figures reported in the New York Times say global covid deaths for the first week of November were mainly concentrated in Europe, accounting for over half of all cases. Reports say that the case count is falling in the U.K., but other nations still struggle. Portugal tries to protect at-home workers.
Different Takes: Are Masks Still Necessary?; Should Kansans Be Paid To Remain Unvaccinated?
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid issues.
Maine reaches out to its farmers and, in Kansas City, schools offer help to those facing mental health struggles.
Infrastructure Bill Offers Hospitals Big Subsidies
Hospitals in states that didn’t expand Medicaid would receive more than $6.8 billion of new funds in 2022, according to an analysis by the Urban Institute. In other news, ProPublica investigates St. Jude’s financial pledge to patients’ families while rural hospitals caught in a dilemma over obstetrics units.
Johnson & Johnson Splitting Itself Into Two Companies
The health care giant announced that in the next 18 to 24 months it will spin off its consumer division — with brands like Band-Aid, Tylenol and Listerine — into a yet-to-be-named company. Its pharmaceutical and medical-devices businesses will be retained under Johnson & Johnson.
Short-Lived Covid Cases Decrease Reverses In Southwest, Western States
With Arizona and New Mexico reporting the worst influx, the number of covid patients hospitalized in intensive care units rose over the last two weeks in at least 12 states. And even highly vaccinated Massachusetts is watching worrying numbers.