Latest KFF Health News Stories
Delta Surge Appears To Be Past Its Peak
New covid case numbers in the U.S. are close to levels recorded near this time last year, the Wall Street Journal reports. In other news, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki tests positive for covid, but the exposure risk to President Joe Biden has been deemed low.
World Has Lost At Least 5 Million People To Covid
While it’s likely a vast undercount, the official pandemic death toll surpassed 5 million. “When we get out our microscopes, we see that within countries, the most vulnerable have suffered most,” an infectious disease specialist told the AP.
Listen Live As High Court Hears Arguments On Texas’ Abortion Law
The proceedings begin at 10 a.m. ET and various news outlets are streaming. The public hearing, which will cover two challenges to the new Texas law, could reveal larger clues about the future of abortion access across the U.S.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Trying To Quit Smoking In England? Your Doctor May Prescribe E-Cigarettes
In the U.S., the future of vaping and e-cigarettes is under official review, but reports say England may be the first country to actually prescribe e-cigarettes to people trying to quit regular cigarette smoking. AI in medical devices and the $23 billion cost to fight covid globally are also reported.
Different Takes: An Epidemiologist Talks About Vaccinating Children; Examining Long Covid
Opinion writers tackle these covid, vaccine and masking topics.
Viewpoints: Antibiotic Market Needs New And Better Options; SB 8 Affecting More Than Just Texas
Editorial pages weigh in on these public health issues.
From January To June, US Roads Were Deadliest In 15 Years
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said an estimated 20,160 people died in crashes between January and June, the largest number of projected fatalities in that time window since 2006 and 18% up on 2020’s figures. Separately, the CDC issued warnings over inedible glitter on cakes.
Amid Legal Issues, Louisiana Nursing Home Magnate Lays Off 1,000 Workers
Bob Dean has laid off around 1,000 workers as his licenses to run nursing homes remain revoked by the Louisiana Department of Health due to controversies over deaths during Hurricane Ida. Meanwhile, a Texas nurse who fatally injected four patients with air has been sentenced to death.
Biden Administration May Offer Families Separated At Border $450,000 Per Person To Settle Suits
The U.S. government could pay out over $1 billion, the Wall Street Journal reports, in an effort to resolve various lawsuits filed on behalf of families affected by the Trump administration’s zero-tolerance immigration policy in 2018. Other Biden administration news reports on the “sunset” rule, health care fraud and more.
Another Health Worker Union Votes To OK Kaiser Permanente Strikes
The National Union of Healthcare Workers is the latest to support strikes at Kaiser Permanente over alleged staffing shortages and poor patient access to mental care. Meanwhile, reports say a Massachusetts health network has been hacked, and thousands of patients’ data may have been exposed.
CDC Adjusts Lead Poisoning Criteria For Young Kids; Numbers May Double
AP reports on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention moves to lower cutoff measures for lead poisoning in children, which may more than double the number of kids ages 1 to 5 counted as having high levels of the toxin in their blood. News outlets also cover cancer drugs from Merck and Rafael.
Doctors In Georgia Accused Of Spreading Covid Misinformation
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports health care practitioners in Georgia have been accused of spreading misinformation about covid, vaccines and unapproved treatments like ivermectin. Separately, you’re 18 times more likely to die of covid in Wisconsin if unvaccinated.
Louisiana Abortion Law For Minors Challenged; Ohio Senate Passes Doctor Restrictions
News outlets report on the latest state abortion law developments and look ahead to what the U.S. landscape would look like if Roe v. Wade is overturned. Meanwhile, against the backdrop of an escalating abortion debate, President Joe Biden meets with Pope Francis.
UnitedHealthcare Will Offer Its Plans On 7 More States’ ACA Exchanges
It’s coming to Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan and Texas.
Military Vax Mandate Holdouts May Get More Time; DC Court Halts Terminations
Roll Call reports that military officials may be reversing plans to immediately fire unvaccinated troops once deadlines pass. Separately, a district court judge issued a temporary restraining order Thursday that prevents both civilian and active-duty military plaintiffs from being terminated after they sued the Biden administration over religious exemptions to covid-19 vaccines.
Florida Sues Biden Over Vaccine Mandate; Other States Move To Thwart Rules
Florida is challenging the federal vaccine mandate for government contractors in court. In Missouri, Gov. Mike Parson, a Republican, issued an executive order targeting federal covid vaccine mandates. In Iowa, Governor Kim Reynolds, a Republican, plans to sign a bill protecting exemptions. In Tennessee, Republican lawmakers plan to limit mask rules and vaccine passports.
Being Over 12 And Unvaxxed May Get You Dropped From School In Oakland
The district’s Board of Education approved plans that say children over 12 still unvaccinated in January will be transferred to independent study schools or dropped from public school enrollment. News outlets report on other matters relating to children and covid, including the rollout of vaccines.
All Drug Pricing Measures Dropped From Latest Spending Bill Framework
In a big win for the pharmaceutical lobby, the White House is abandoning all proposals aimed at lowering prescription drug costs in the scaled back social spending bill framework unveiled Thursday. Additional Medicare and paid family leave measures were also eliminated, while some Medicaid changes made the cut.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.