Latest KFF Health News Stories
Biden Aims To Jump-Start Efforts To Tackle Pricey Prescription Drugs
President Joe Biden will address the high cost of prescription drugs during an event Thursday, an issue on which there is some bipartisan support and could help the White House make some progress on its stalled domestic agenda.
Shots For Under 5s Will Be Ready By Feb. 21 — If They’re Approved, That Is
The CDC is reportedly poised to quickly roll out 10 million doses. The FDA has yet to authorize the lower-dose, 3-microgram Pfizer/BioNTech shot for children ages 6 months to 4.
Even Mild Covid Infections Could Affect Later Heart Health, Study Finds
One researcher is reported as saying the results of a new study were “stunning” in terms of the increased risk of heart illnesses a year after even a mild covid infection. Different research finds a prior infection is less protective against catching omicron than other variants.
Appeals Court Allows Block On Federal Employee Vaccine Mandate To Stand
President Joe Biden’s requirement that all federal employees get vaccinated against covid remains on hold after the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals voted 2-1 not to lift a lower court’s ruling. The case is likely heading to the Supreme Court.
CDC May Update Mask Guidelines As It Urges States To Move Cautiously
CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky stressed that it is too soon for all Americans to take off their masks in indoor public places. But Politico reports that CDC staff are considering whether the agency should use case rates as a metric or whether it should use hospitalization data.
Many States Dump Mask Mandates
Some states, like New York, will still require masks in schools. Others, like Massachusetts and Rhode Island, will make them optional for students. Some parents and doctors say it’s too risky, too soon.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Will Florida Be Next To Try Abortion Ban?; Health Insurance Transformation Overdue
Editorial writers delve into these public health issues.
Disulfiram Shows Promise As Covid Treatment
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Perspectives: Medicare Must Negotiate Drug Prices; Youth Opioid Rxs Risky?
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid and vaccine topics.
Surgeon General Says Covid Has Harmed Youth Mental Health
Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, who is also a parent, made the remarks to the Senate Finance Committee. Separately, Bloomberg reports that Wall Street firms are joining an initiative to destigmatize mental health challenges, as the industry faces issues of employee burnout.
Florida’s Stymying Of LGBTQ+ School Topics Hurts Students: White House
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the legislation “is designed to target and attack the kids who need the support the most.” In other news, $600,000 funding will help Wisconsin test tap water for “forever chemicals,” recreational marijuana laws move forward in Pennsylvania, and more.
At Least 400 Million People Have Had Covid Now
In a sign of how quickly the pandemic is moving, the number of total cases was 300 million just one month ago, according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. Meanwhile, there are more deaths in the U.S. caused by covid than ever before in the pandemic, despite the milder infections of omicron.
Vermont Lawmakers Advance Measure To Guarantee Abortion Rights
The proposed constitutional amendment now goes to the governor and could be on the ballot in the fall. In Wisconsin, however, state legislators are weighing a bill that would ban abortions if a “heartbeat” is detected.
Amazon Care Clinics Coming To 20 More US Cities In 2022
Brick-and-mortar facilities will open in New York and 19 other cities, as the shopping giant expands its push into health care after first launching services for its employees. Structural racism in health care, problems in Alaska’s state psychiatric institute, and more are also in the news.
HHS Gives $66.5M To Community Groups To Promote Vaccinations
The Health Resources and Services Administration is awarding the money to “trusted voices” in 38 states and Washington, D.C., to help spur hard-to-reach groups to accept the covid vaccines. The Biden administration is also losing a key player: Beth Cameron, who helped reestablish the Directorate for Global Health Security and Biodefense in the National Security Council.
4-Minute Covid Test, With PCR-Like Accuracy, Developed In China
CBS News reports on the results presented in a new peer-reviewed article, saying the tests use microelectronics to analyze DNA from swabs. In other news, the Oklahoma attorney general said there was no legal basis to discipline doctors prescribing unproven drugs like ivermectin to treat covid.
Website Shows If Medicare’s Price-Transparency Rules Work
Turquoise Health, a price-comparison site for medical services, now has 4,000 health care providers — including hospitals and other providers such as imaging centers — in its database.
More School Masking Decisions Are Being Made At Local Level
More states are rolling back mask mandates in schools, including ones led by Democratic governors. Some teachers and parents raise concerns that decisions are not being based on science.