Latest KFF Health News Stories
Biden Vaccine Mandates Blocked Again
A federal judge in Georgia blocked nationwide the Biden mandates that federal contractors’ employees must be vaccinated. Meanwhile Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb of Indiana expressed frustration Tuesday at the “absurd” reasons some cite for refusing vaccinations.
U.S. Military Largely Complies With Vaccine Mandate
Among news about vaccinations, vaccination mandates and vaccination refusals, 27,000 active-duty military personnel have refused orders to get covid shots. But that translates to over 95% compliance. Businesses in New York City react to the mayor’s proposal that all employers in the city force their employees to vaccinate.
A Plant-Based Covid Vaccine Shows Promise
Medicago and GlaxoSmithKline reported positive results for a clinical trial of what they said is the first plant-based coronavirus vaccine. Other vaccine news is more discouraging: only 60% of Americans are vaccinated and those who won’t get a shot are unlikely to let their children get a shot either.
Early Lab Work Heightens Worry Omicron Resists Antibodies
The covid variant may elude some of the protections offered by antibodies and the Pfizer vaccine, but boosters may counter the virus.
Covid-Spreader Event At Anime Convention Studied
CDC hopes that an investigation of the omicron variant spread at a New York City anime convention provides insights. Other news on the spread of the variant.
Worst Covid Cases Concentrated In Six States
Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, New York and Illinois account for the majority of the country’s increase in covid hospitalizations. And an Illinois lawmaker wants unvaccinated hospital patients in Illinois to pay their own coronavirus medical bills out of pocket.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
US To Inject $400M Into Global Covid Vaccine Program
The money will help support vaccine distribution, including the cold temperature conditions some covid shots require. Meanwhile, authorities added a number of new European countries to the “very high risk” list as omicron continues to spread.
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid issues.
Different Takes: How To Improve US Maternal Health Outcomes; Rethinking Labels For Disabilities
Editorial pages tackle these public health issues.
Navy To Address Honolulu Drinking Water Fuel Contamination Issue
The Hawaii Department of Health ordered the Navy to sort out drinking water contamination problems, linked to a fuel storage complex, which had led to worries over public health. In other news, a new study has highlighted the high costs of extreme heat in Phoenix.
Prescription Drug Cost Managing Company To Pay Kansas $27.6M
The legal settlement comes after an investigation over whether the company, hired for the Medicaid program, overcharged the state. The trial of Theranos’ founder Elizabeth Holmes, financial dealings at J&J, neurodegeneration treatments from Flagship Pioneering and more are also in the news.
Self-Check For Dementia Test Works Faster Than Old System: Study
The “self-administered gerocognitive examination” test detected cognitive decline six months earlier than standard testing. Separately, product recalls were issued for adult portable bed rails and some meat products, plus news on pregnant homicide rates, and marijuana and sleep.
Instagram Reveals Controls To Keep Teens Safer
The social media company, part of Facebook owner Meta’s brand, unveiled plans for parental safety controls ahead of the scheduled testimony before Congress on the platform’s potential risks. Separately, the New York Post reports that eating disorder posts still “thrive” on Instagram.
Being A Female Doctor Instead Of Male Costs $2 Million In Career Wages
A large new study reported by Stat and The New York Times details the gender pay gap between men and women doctors. The Washington Post, meanwhile, reports nurses are leaving staff jobs and taking up traveling work during the pandemic because they can triple their wages.
Wisconsin Hospitals Revved Up Debt Collection, Especially Against Blacks
Researchers from Yale and Stanford reported in the journal Health Affairs that the rate of medical debt collection lawsuits in the state increased by more than a third from 2001 to 2018, Bloomberg and other news outlets reported. The targets were disproportionately Black patients, data show.
Biden Focuses On Drug Pricing Measures In Push For Spending Bill Vote
Arguing that the legislation will lower the costs of key prescription drugs like insulin, President Joe Biden urged senators to pass the Build Back America bill. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has targeted a Christmas vote, but thorny negotiations with holdout Democrats casts doubt on that timeline.
Last Day To Enroll In Medicare: Watch Out For Drug Coverage
Dec. 7 is the deadline for Medicare beneficiaries to enroll or make changes to their plans. Other reports on Medicare news cover high prices of accelerated-approval drugs, at-home care, telehealth and more.
NYC Announces Sweeping Vaccine Mandate For Private Businesses
All in-person employees working in the city must have at least one shot of the covid vaccine by Dec. 27, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced. The mandate is expected to be challenged in court. Meanwhile, the impact of surging covid cases and omicron is felt in other localities around the U.S.
Gen Z Is More Stressed-Out By Covid Than Other Age Groups
News outlets cover the results of a new U.S. study that says a higher proportion of people in Gen Z than other generations say the pandemic has made their lives difficult. Also, you’re not alone if your blood pressure is up during the covid era — a study shows it’s quite widespread.