Latest KFF Health News Stories
Treat Yourself To Halloween, Fauci Says. But Beware Of Covid Tricks Ahead
“Enjoy it,” Dr. Anthony Fauci tells parents and kids when discussing the relative safety of outdoor trick-or-treating this Halloween, as covid cases continue to trend downward. Even so, he urges Americans to not let down their guard because infections “bounce back.”
MIS-C Cases In Children Have Jumped 12% Since August, CDC Says
There have been 5,217 pediatric cases reported through Oct. 4, and 46 children have died. Meanwhile, some hospitals are seeing “dramatic” increases in the number of kids hospitalized with covid.
Merck Asks FDA For Emergency Authorization For Its Covid Pill
Early today, Merck and partner Ridgeback Biotherapeutics asked the Food and Drug Administration for emergency use approval for molnupiravir, meaning it may become the first oral antiviral treatment for covid. News outlets cover the story behind the drug’s progress and more.
Texas Abortion Law Back In Full Effect After Appeals Court Lifts Injunction
And Texas clinics and doctors that performed abortions outlawed by the state’s near-total ban during the two days a block was in effect last week could now face lawsuits. Meanwhile, the legal challenges continue as calls grow for the Supreme Court to step in and finally settle the case.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
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 doctor’s notes, aging, a baseball umpire’s invention to prevent injuries, covid and more.
Opinion writers weigh in on molnupiravir, covid vaccines while pregnant and personal belief exemptions.
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
Moderna Pushes Back At White House Goals For More Vaccine Donations
Reports in Politico say that although the Biden administration is pressing Moderna to increase international donations of its covid vaccine next year, the company is “resisting.” Meanwhile, Stat reports on the failings of the international COVAX effort to get shots to people around the globe.
Nonconsensual Condom Removal — ‘Stealthing’ — Banned In California
California is the first state to ban the act, making it a civil offense to remove a condom without a partner’s consent. Lead risk inspectors in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; North Carolina child care; frontline worker bonuses in Kentucky; and green investments from covid relief funds are also in the news.
18 Former NBA Players Accused Of Health Insurance Fraud
The athletes are accused of pocketing millions of dollars collectively after defrauding the league’s health and welfare benefit plan by claiming fictitious expenses. Meanwhile, The Washington Post reports on a Drug Enforcement Administration investigation into an NFL medicine director.
Federal Judge Dismisses AbbVie Trade Secrets Case Against Alvotech
AbbVie had alleged Alvotech had recruited a former employee who then transferred data about its best-selling Humira treatment. In other news, the Food and Drug Administration halted trials by Allogene Therapeutics for its CAR-T cell therapy after a blood cancer patient had chromosome issues.
US Politicians, Social Media Are Main Source For Misinfo, Americans Think
The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs and the University of Chicago’s Pearson Institute poll found that about 75% of people think foreign governments spread less misinformation. Axios reports that despite a promise to ban harmful vaccine content, YouTube still allows lots to stay online.
Legal Limbo Leaves Texas Abortion Providers To Navigate Risky Waters
With the latest court stay on enforcement of Texas’ near-total abortion ban, some clinics have resumed procedures. But as the challenges work through the judicial system, health providers that do so could face potential future legal jeopardy.
VA Hospital Accused Of Delaying Tons Of Unopened Mail, Including Checks
A former Veterans Affairs employee alleged he told managers of “pallets” full of unopened mail last year in Atlanta — likely containing thousands of personal medical records and checks meant for medical providers. Separately, controversial Palantir Technologies won a big contract with the VA.
In Nursing Shortage, Temp Staff Cost Florida Hospitals Double
Naples Daily News reports on the financial hit taken by Florida hospitals trying to cover covid-burnout staff shortages by hiring temporary nursing staff at high rates. Burnout, “exploitative” hospital contracts, a pay rise controversy in LSU Health Sciences Center and more are also reported.
More Divisions Emerge Among Dems Over How To Pare Back Spending Bill
What programs should get cut from the $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill and whether changes should be made permanent are among the negotiating points. And Politico reports on a warning from Big Tobacco lobbyists regarding the impact of a cigarette tax hike. Meanwhile, lawmakers punt the debt-limit fight to December.
Trump Medical Mystery Solved, But Why Was A Colonoscopy Kept Secret?
In November 2019, then-President Donald Trump made an unpublicized trip to Walter Reed Medical Center. His staff kept the nature of the visit strictly guarded but a new book confirms that it was a colonoscopy. The former White House aide also relates that Trump skipped anesthesia to avoid even temporarily relinquishing presidential powers to then-Vice President Mike Pence.
Worst Of Delta Seems To Be Waning, But Many Places Still In The Thick Of It
The seven-day case average has declined 12% over the past two weeks, Fox News reports. But in Utah, more residents have now died of coronavirus than the total number of those who died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
More Folks In Line For Boosters Than There Are In Line For Their First Shots
Of the 6.7 million shots given from Sept. 30 to Oct. 6, nearly 2.7 million were booster shots, nearly 2 million were first doses and nearly 2 million were second doses, NBC News reports.