Latest KFF Health News Stories
Anesthesiologists Say UnitedHealth Unfairly Canceling Contracts
According to Modern Healthcare, the American Society of Anesthesiologists says the insurer is canceling contracts at least six months ahead of time, leaving anesthesiologists out of network and paid a fraction of the rates they once received, the group’s president says. The group wants the Justice Department to investigate.
Study Lays Blame For Around 100,000 US Yearly Deaths On Phthalates
Meanwhile, a study hints a generic drug used to treat hypertension and heart failure may also help prevent brain damage in Alzheimer’s sufferers. Separately, patient backlash over tobacco company Philip Morris’ purchase of asthma drugmaker Vectura in the U.K. may hurt sales.
Parents Sue Wisconsin School Districts After Their Children Get Covid
In two separate lawsuits, the parents say their school districts failed to protect their children by refusing to implement covid mitigation strategies recommended by the CDC.
With Several Drugs In The Pipeline, Covid Treatments Set To Improve
News outlets report on Merck’s covid antiviral pill, monoclonal antibody treatments from AstraZeneca and other efforts by drugmakers to combat the pandemic. Also in the news: boosters may complicate efforts to persuade vax-hesitant people; nursing home vaccine rates; approving booster shots; and more.
Unions Allowed To Call Strike For Over 20,000 Kaiser Permanente Staff
Members of the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals voted 96% to move forward with a strike. News outlets report on other worker and strike matters in health care systems across the country.
Texas Governor Orders Ban On Covid Vaccine Mandates, Even For Private Businesses
With his executive order Monday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, reversed his previous position that employers should have the choice to require employees to be vaccinated for covid.
In Washington and North Carolina, Health Worker Vax Rates Reach 90%
But Michigan Medicine still hasn’t worked out how to negotiate a covid vaccine mandate for its staff. In Los Angeles, LAUSD has had to extend the deadline for its vaccine mandate until Nov. 15. And CNN reports on worries mandates will deepen a staffing crisis in Memphis, Missouri.
Justice Department Wants Federal Appeals Court To Block Texas Abortion Law
The Biden administration argues that the law — that bans most abortions — is unconstitutional due to its enforcement provisions. “If Texas’s scheme is permissible, no constitutional right is safe from state-sanctioned sabotage of this kind,” the Justice Department wrote. Meanwhile, Texas Republicans say the feds have no legal standing in the case.
Supreme Court To Hear Kentucky Attorney General’s Case To Defend State Abortion Law
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, declines to defend a state law banning a common abortion procedure used in the second-trimester — which has been blocked as unconstitutional in court. Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron wants the Supreme Court justices to allow him to do so.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid and vaccine topics.
Editorial pages delve into these public health issues.
Facing Lawmaker Pressure, Facebook Plans Changes To Protect Young Users
Politico reports on Facebook’s meek response after congressional pressure last week, with upcoming protections for Instagram that include content blocking and encouraging breaks. Meanwhile, reports say depression and anxieties have risen globally by over 25% during 2020.
Pandemic Stress Prompts 1.4 Million Texans To Sign Up For Obamacare
In other news, California schools will provide free menstrual products under a new law, Tennessee prisons now have a suicide prevention hotline and more.
Over 100 Days Of Lockdown Ends As Sydney Opens To Vaccinated Public
Sydney had suffered more than 100 days of lockdown during a serious covid surge. Meanwhile, Singapore has opened its borders to vaccinated travelers from more countries, including the U.S. and U.K. Reports from Brazil say Pfizer is planning to vaccinate everyone over 12 in the Brazilian city of Toledo.
Some Colleges Have High Vax Rates, But Elsewhere, Lax Rules Irk Students
Nearly 90% of staff and students at Michigan State University have been vaccinated against covid, but in other places, complaints of weak covid measures from educators and students seem to land with a thud at the state level. Other media outlets cover more stories about covid and schools.
More Women Than Men Are Insured, Thanks To Medicaid Pregnancy Care
But Axios notes that the coverage can be short-lived, since Medicaid coverage ends after 60 days postpartum. Other news is on Medicaid expansion in North Carolina, the quality of Medicaid Advantage plans, the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and more.
September Saw 2021’s Second Biggest Decline Of Health Care Workers
Health care employment fell for the third time this year in September, according to a report in Modern Healthcare, with around 17,000 fewer workers. Separately, hospital staff are facing such a surge in violence that they’re raising the alarm. News outlets report on other health industry news, as well.
Big Military Vaccination Rate Gaps Remain As Deadlines Approach
Data assessed by The Washington Post show uneven responses within different services of the U.S. military ahead of staggered deadlines before punishments are levied against unvaccinated troops. This comes as the armed forces — and in particular the reservists — are experiencing a spike in covid deaths, almost entirely among those who have not been inoculated.
Health Experts Say If You’ve Had Covid And One Shot, Don’t Rush For Boosters
Meanwhile, a new California law bans harassing people on the way to get covid shots, and experts predict covid shots for kids will be very popular.