Latest KFF Health News Stories
Facebook, Instagram’s Influence On Kids’ Mental Health Unites Senators
Rare bipartisan agreement and concern was expressed as senators grilled Facebook’s global head of safety during a subcommittee hearing Thursday on the social media giant’s tactics and outreach to teens and children.
Drug Pricing Measure On The Trimming Block As Dems Try To Salvage Spending Bills
It was another big day on Capitol Hill as lawmakers averted a partial government shutdown — for now. The planned House infrastructure bill was also pushed, as its fate is tied up with fraught negotiations with moderate Democrats over the reconciliation package. The resulting compromises, if reached at all, are likely to hit the health care items hard.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Texas Must Close Medicaid Coverage Gap; A Glimpse Into Texas Abortion Care After SB 8
Editorial writers tackle these public health issues.
Research Roundup: Air Pollution; Flu; Meningitis; Mastectomy; Nutrition
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Application Period For Post-Ida Food Stamp Aid In Louisiana Extended
The three-day extension is for people still needing aid after Hurricane Ida hit the area. News outlets cover new homelessness laws in California and reports that local jobs recovery is being stalled by delta covid surges. Other news is from Maryland, North Carolina, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Texas.
Covid Means Only Chinese Spectators At 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics
News outlets report on early covid protocols being planned for next year’s Winter Olympics, including a limit on who can view events in person and a “closed-loop bubble.” Meanwhile, globally, covid seems to be beginning to decline; AstraZeneca’s vaccine shows 74% efficiency; and more.
Worries Over Future Telehealth Costs, As It Struggles To Reach Rural Areas
Stat covers difficulties in delivering telehealth services to rural areas via limited internet connections. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports on questions over pricing of these remote services. Blue Cross, Walgreens and Evolent Health, plus SAMHSA’s mental health plans are also in the news.
Covid Hit American Waistlines, Too: Obesity Levels Ballooned In 2020
New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that four additional states reported obesity rates of 35% or more in 2020 — bringing the national total to 16 states. Separately, a study says artificial sweetener in drinks may actually increase food cravings and appetite in some people.
Texas Tries To Defend Strict Abortion Ban Against White House Lawsuit
The Washington Post reports on efforts by Texas’ Republican Attorney General, Ken Paxton, to counter a lawsuit brought by the Biden administration against its six-week anti-abortion law. Separately, a University of Texas law professor is warning Congress about wider threats from the law.
House Panel Calls Out Big Companies For Selling Tainted Baby Food
A House Oversight subcommittee report says that manufacturers “knowingly” sold baby food containing dangerous heavy metals like lead, mercury and arsenic, which can effect childhood brain development. And the lawmakers urged the FDA to set heavy metal standards.
Who’s Footing The Bill For The World’s Most Popular Drugs? Americans, By Far
A report from Public Citizen says the 20 highest-selling drugs generated $158 billion of global revenue in 2020 … and that U.S. sales represented 64% of that, or $101 billion, Axios reported.
Military Suicides Up 15% In 2020
USA Today has confirmed ahead of a report set to be released today that 580 troops died by suicide in 2020 compared with 504 in 2019. Most of the troops who have died are young enlisted men, a congressional aide told the news outlet.
Infrastructure Vote Uncertain Amid Mired Social Spending Bill Negotiations
As of Thursday morning: Unable to secure the support of a group of progressives in her caucus, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi left open the possibility that today’s vote on the infrastructure bill may be pushed. The decision is linked to talks with holdout senators over the $3.5 trillion social spending package — and those negotiations are forcing Democrats to make hard choices on health care. Meanwhile, Congress is moving forward with legislation to avoid a partial government shutdown — but the plan leaves the thorny debt limit in place for now.
Facebook’s Role In Teen Trauma To Be Focus Of Senate Hearing
Senators will question Facebook’s global head of safety today on the negative effects its platforms, including Instagram, can have on teenagers’ mental health. Ahead of the hearing, the social media giant is trying to downplay its own research into the harm.
Scrubs Make Some Covid Critics See Red As Health Worker Abuse Rises
Meanwhile, families of veterans killed by covid in a Massachusetts nursing home seek changes; a letter to the editor of the Tampa Bay Times makes a poignant covid argument; a Republican North Carolina lawmaker got nasty comments when ill with covid; and more.
That Coworker Saying They’ll Quit Over Vax Mandates? They Probably Won’t
NPR reports on surveys of people who say they’ll quit their jobs if required to get a covid shot — and in reality, few actually do quit. Meanwhile CalMatters reports that most California health care workers are complying with mandates.
States’ School Mask Bans Get Tangled In Budget Plans, Controversy
AP covers complex legal moves in Arizona on school mask bans and the state budget. The Detroit Free Press covers similar maneuvers in Michigan. Separately, reports say the Department of Education will cover salaries of school board members in Broward County withheld over school mask rules.
YouTube To Block Videos With False Vaccine Info, Ban Prominent Purveyors
YouTube says it will crack down on misinformation distributed on its platform about the safety or side effects of the covid vaccines. Google is also launching more tools to combat bad online information.
Study Finds Third Of Covid Survivors Have Long Symptoms; Higher For Kids
There is still so much unknown about who is vulnerable to extended covid-19 symptoms and how long the damage will last. But the latest science heightens concerns that its reach is even broader than previously thought. Other developments in covid research are also reported.