Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Should Medicare Pay For Aduhelm?; Learning From Past Abortion Bans
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health issues.
Texas Abortion Providers Seek To Untangle Supreme Court Appeals Case
Providers say a federal appeals court is blocking their challenge to Texas’ strict anti-abortion law. Meanwhile, in California, a large-scale sewage spill has cleared enough for some beaches to reopen, but in Wisconsin another town has drinking water challenges after finding “forever” chemicals.
Different Takes: Houston’s Corbevax Vaccine Is A Game-Changer; CDC’s New Guidance Concerns Many
Opinion writers tackle these covid and vaccine issues.
Jury Finds Blood Testing Firm Founder Elizabeth Holmes Guilty
Elizabeth Holmes was found guilty in 4 of 11 charges against her as a jury decided she misled investors over the promise of blood testing tech startup Theranos. The New York Times reports on what will happen to her now, as AP reports it’s “unlikely” Silicon Valley investors will learn anything from the case.
Ten-Month Nurse Strike Ends At Massachusetts’ St. Vincent Hospital
A new contract was signed with hospital parent Tenet Healthcare, ending the longest nursing strike in state history. In other news, telehealth declined in 2021 after 2020’s boom; five things to know about CMS’ proposed rules for exchange plans; racism in medicine; and more.
Diapers, Baby Products In Short Supply As Births Boom
Fox News reports that a recent pandemic-related surge in births (against a background of declining birth rates) is complicating access to vital baby goods. Separately, a report says home births in Connecticut are rising as people seek alternative solutions to covid-hit hospitals.
Judge Temporarily Bars Pentagon From Taking Action Against Unvaccinated Sailors
Challenges against covid vaccine mandates continue to make their way through the courts and statehouses while regional governments and businesses mull additional requirements.
Biden Targets Meat Industry To Tackle High Food Costs
The new plan includes tighter regulations for meatpackers, with an assumption the industry has been inflating the nation’s food bills. Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture’s new rules for consumer labels on genetically modified food products have gone into effect.
Prices Jump 5% For 2022 On More Than 450 Prescription Drugs
A report in Stat shows drug prices for some products jumped a median of 5% over 2021’s numbers, in line with recent year-end increases. In other news, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is disposing of a Trump-era policy fixing drug prices relative to other wealthy nations.
In Face Of Confusion And Pushback, CDC May Add Testing To Isolation Guidance
Dr. Anthony Fauci signaled that a negative covid test may be added to the recommendation. It would be yet another shift to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines about when someone with covid can come out of isolation. And tests are still hard to come by.
Parents Fret As Kids Return To School
Some experts — including Education Secretary Miguel Cardona — insist it’s safe for children to be in the classroom. But what about schools without requirements for masking, vaccines or physical distancing? Many parents are left with no choice but to wait and see.
Study: Antibodies From Covid Infection Can Later Attack Healthy Organs
The research showed persistent antibodies after six months, even if the patient had not been severely ill with covid. Other news is on covid among deer, “flurona” in unvaxxed pregnant women and more.
Just One More Hurdle To Clear Before Kids Ages 12 To 15 Can Get Booster
The Food and Drug Administration on Monday approved the use of the Pfizer covid vaccine booster for those who are 12 to 15 years old. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expected to sign off as well this week, as record numbers of children are being hospitalized due to the virus.
One Day, One Million-Plus Covid Cases: Biden To Speak About Historic Surge
President Joe Biden will address the nation as nearly every corner of it is experiencing an unprecedented rush of covid infections.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Different Takes: Real-Life Impact Of Covid On Nurses; People Are Weary Of Covid Restrictions
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid and vaccine issues.
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on covid, breast cancer, schizophrenia, Tourette syndrome, tornado safety and more.
Texas Abortion Providers Push For Fast Appeals Case Hearing
Abortion providers are trying to avoid the delay of moving their case against the state’s abortion laws to the Texas Supreme Court, and want instead to be heard by a district judge. Separately, Ohio’s governor signed a “born alive” bill, which threatens to shutter the last providers in Dayton and Cincinnati.