Latest KFF Health News Stories
HHS Urged To Plug Medicare Gap That Doesn’t Pay For At-Home Covid Tests
Lawmakers and advocates want the Biden administration to find a way to cover the rapid antigen tests. The laws governing Medicare currently don’t reimburse for self-administered diagnostic tests.
New York Mask Mandate Ruled Unlawful By State Judge
State Supreme Court Justice Thomas Rademaker says that New York’s state requirement for masks can’t be enforced. Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, says her administration will appeal.
Rollout Of Free N95 Masks Begins At Stores And Clinics
News outlets report on where consumers may be able to find free N95 masks, which are being distributed out of the national stockpile by the federal government to encourage Americans to wear higher-quality face coverings.
New Mutation Of Omicron May Spread Even Faster; It’s Already In The US
At least two cases of omicron subvariant BA.2 were reported earlier this month in Washington state. Symptoms of infection don’t appear to be any different so far from the original omicron strain. However, the “stealth” version, as it has been dubbed, does appear to be even more transmissible.
Amid Soaring Cases In Some Places, Evidence Omicron May Kill Faster
The San Francisco Chronicle reports on news from California’s Public Health Director that omicron patients that succumb to the virus seem to be dying two to four weeks after hospitalization, vs. five weeks for delta covid. While local officials note omicron does seem less severe, deaths are still rising.
Like The Virus Itself, Covid Misinformation Is Still Spreading
What a difference that “mis-” prefix makes: News outlets cover a rash of covid misinformation across the country, including how misinformation (instead of real, reliable information) left U.S. kids vulnerable to omicron covid, plus how unproven covid treatments are being promoted.
FDA Restricts Use Of Two Antibody Drugs That Don’t Work Against Omicron
With the omicron variant currently responsible for 99% of U.S. covid infections, the Food and Drug Administration is rescinding emergency use authorization for Regeneron and Eli Lilly’s monoclonal antibody treatments, for now. The drugs could be reauthorized if a variant emerges against which they are effective.
Third Pfizer Shot Leads To Persistent Antibodies To Fight Omicron
A booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine in addition to the regular two-shot vaccination can result in antibodies remaining in people’s systems for around four months, potentially battling omicron infections. Meanwhile, a fourth shot is available for some immunocompromised patients — but some pharmacies are turning them away.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers tackle these various public health issues.
Indiana Lawmakers Threaten Action Over High Hospital Costs
The Indianapolis Star says local health care prices are among the highest in the U.S., so lawmakers have asked hospitals and insurers to work together to lower costs, with a looming threat of statutory price reviews.
Thailand Offers Second Booster Shots In Tourist Hot Spots
In regions where tourism is centered, Thailand is rolling out second AstraZeneca and Pfizer booster shots to help prevent future outbreaks. As China prepares for the Winter Olympic Games, the nation has lowered testing thresholds for athletes. Authorities have also said foreign mail can’t spread covid.
Different Takes: Various Ways The World Is Managing Covid; Clarifying Covid Confusion
Opinion writers examine these covid and covid related issues.
Germ Cleanser At Center Of Lawsuit Against Sutter Health
Sutter Health, the lawsuit says, purchased a cleaning chemical to combat hospital-borne bugs that itself caused dozens of employees to fall ill. Also in the news: IBM’s Watson, investments in digital health, Anthem’s new chief, nurses and a student loan relief program in Pennsylvania.
Neuralink Moving Closer To Human Trials Of Implanted Brain Chips
Elon Musk’s human-computer interface medical tech company has begun hiring for a clinical trial director. In other news, CVS Caremark settled a PBM fee issue with the Oklahoma Insurance Department; questions over GSK’s chief science officer; and biotech stocks are a “dumpster fire.”
One Surprising Pandemic Side Effect: Keeping Pregnancies Secret
According to The New York Times, the pandemic’s effect on daily life is having an impact on how people are sharing news about their pregnancy in work situations. Meanwhile, levels of flu in the U.S. have fallen for the second week in a row.
No Cloth Masks Allowed In LA Schools; Virginia In Chaos Over New Mask Rules
In Virginia, the new Republican governor’s mask-optional mandate starts today. Many people have vowed to fight or uphold the order with everything they can muster, including one Virginia mom who was charged Friday after threatening to bring loaded guns to school.
FBI Raids Covid Testing Site Company
The company has been reimbursed over $124 million from the federal government for covid tests. Earlier, the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office filed a consumer-protection lawsuit against the company. Modern Healthcare, meanwhile, says large insurers lack consumer-friendly test coverage.
To Curb Illegal Buying, Maine May Try Allowing Marijuana Deliveries
News outlets cover a new bill introduced in Maine that would allow recreational dispensaries to deliver legally-bought weed to buyers’ homes. Separate reports say that gross sales have topped $1.2 billion since recreational marijuana went on sale in Arizona a year ago.
FDA Expands Use Of Remdesivir For Some Non-Hospitalized Covid Patients
The Food and Drug Administration authorized Gilead Sciences’ antiviral treatment remdesivir to be administered outside of a hospital for some mild-to-moderate covid patients. The intravenous drug that is infused over three days would have to be delivered at an outpatient clinic.