Latest KFF Health News Stories
Manchin Wants To Pump Brakes On Spending Bill; Dems Say They’ll Keep Moving
Democratic leaders plan to continue pushing forward with the intertwined social spending and infrastructure packages, despite the latest call to slow down from Sen. Joe Manchin.
Judge Ditches Dec. 31 Shots Deadline For Vaccine-Refusing Chicago Police
Cook County Judge Raymond Mitchell did not excuse the police officers who were unvaccinated from twice-weekly testing, however, and pointed out that covid has killed many officers across the U.S. In other news, 9,000 New York City workers are on unpaid leave for refusing to get vaccinated.
Feds To Mandate Shots, Paid Time Off, Sick Leave For Large-Company Workers
News organizations report on upcoming covid vax mandates from the federal government for companies with at least 100 workers. Paid time off to get shots plus sick leave during recovery are part of the package. Vaccine refusal in the military is also in the news.
Despite Turmoil Of 2020, Number Of Uninsured Stayed About The Same
The figures, which were released ahead of the start of open enrollment in the federal health insurance marketplaces, did show that uninsured rates are higher in states that haven’t expanded Medicaid, Axios reported.
Supreme Court Justices Question Unique Provisions Of Texas Abortion Law
The Supreme Court heard arguments Monday in cases related to Texas’ near-total abortion ban. The justices’ questions hinted that they may be inclined to allow abortion providers to challenge the state law in court, but are more skeptical about the Justice Department’s standing.
CDC Says Covid Immunity From Shots, Infections Lasts At Least 6 Months
But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that immunity given by vaccines is more consistent than from an infection, and shots give a “huge boost” of antibodies in people who previously had covid. Separately, a study says three Pfizer shots are 92% more effective than just two.
With Shots Already Being Boxed Up, CDC Expected To OK Covid Vax For Children
Advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are meeting today to discuss approving Pfizer-BioNTech’s covid vaccine for children ages 5 to 11, after the FDA’s approval last week. Media outlets cover how the shots will close the Hispanic vaccine gap, plus other matters.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid issues.
Different Takes: Examining Racial Bias In eGFR Testing; Could We See The End Of Roe?
Editorial writers tackle these various public health topics.
Though Cigarette Sales Surged With Pandemic, They’re Reported Down Now
A report covered by Fox News says that although U.S. cigarette sales were slightly up for the first time in 20 years during the pandemic, total industry purchases fell 6.5% in the last quarter from 2020’s figures. Separately, reports link Western diet with cognitive decline in a mice-based study.
Unvaxxed Foreign Children Exempt From 7-Day Quarantine, CDC Says
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an amended order to explain the rules after concerns were raised about incoming foreign visitors. In South Africa, an oral covid vaccine from U.S.-listed company Oramed has been given permission for clinical trials on patients.
Understaffing Worries In Georgia Psych Units; Mainers Have ‘Climate Anxiety’
Georgia Health News reports on concerns over patients left “in limbo” for days in an ER because of staffing shortages at state psychiatric units. In Maine, therapists are reporting that more locals have climate-based mental health issues. In Montana, students report the highest-ever depression rates.
Wanted: Used Crutches, Walkers And Canes As Supply Chain Shortages Grow
In Utah, South Carolina, Kentucky and elsewhere, hospitals are requesting donations of gently used medical equipment.
Judge Rules Govt. Wrong For Trying To Force Drugmakers To Discount Prices
The U.S. government had warned a list of manufacturers, including Eli Lilly, that they would be breaking the law by ending discounts to a program sending drugs to facilities in mainly low-income areas — but this was deemed wrong by a federal court judge. CVS, PBMs, Purdue, Aduhelm and Biomet are also in the news.
‘Dozens’ Of Unqualified Florida Doctors Sought Emergency Licenses In Alaska
An investigation conducted at the request of the Alaska State Medical board showed dozens of unqualified Floridian doctors tried to get emergency medical licenses this year, some aided by a Chile-based company. Some actually were licensed before the oversight was discovered.
Democrats Close To Deal To Keep Drug Cost Reductions In Spending Bill
A deal to curb prescription drug prices as part of President Joe Biden’s spending bill could go ahead as soon as today, as talks on the compromise provisions in the package continued. News outlets also report on the future of paid leave, which still seems to be cut out of the $1.75 trillion spending plans.
Delaying Vax Mandate Would Be A ‘Big Mistake,’ Biden Official Warns
The White House recently indicated it might be more flexible with its deadlines, due in some part to pushback from companies worried about staffing shortages during the holiday season. But the Commerce Secretary doesn’t think there should be a delay. Meanwhile, thousands of New York City workers, including 2,000 firefighters, will likely be off the job today as the local vaccine deadline arrives.
Final CDC Decision On Pfizer Vaccine For Younger Kids Expected This Week
It would be the last hurdle before children ages 5 to 11 could start receiving the covid shot, after the Food and Drug Administration signed off Friday. Because of the smaller doses, logistics for this rollout will be more complex than for adults. So the White House is warning parents that it may take time.
FDA Needs More Time To Review Moderna Covid Shot For Adolescents
Approval to administer the Moderna mRNA vaccine to those ages 12 to 17 may not come until January, as the Food and Drug Administration tells Moderna that it’s pushing out the timeline in order to review more data about the rare risks of heart inflammation.