Latest KFF Health News Stories
House Plans Vote On Abortion Bill, But Senate Future Is Sealed
House members are slated to vote Friday on the Women’s Health Protection Act, through which Democrats aim to codify Roe v. Wade. Even if it passes, the bill is considered “dead on arrival” in the Senate — especially after Sen. Susan Collins said she would vote “no.” Elsewhere, a Florida lawmaker introduced a bill similar to the restrictive Texas law. And abortion news is also reported from California and Arizona.
White House Turns Eye Toward Threat Of Future Pandemics
Vice President Kamala Harris announced that the U.S. will kick off a new global health security fund with a $250 million donation. The effort aims to raise $10 million to prepare for emerging health emergencies. Other administration news reports on covid testing and a suggested use for the U.S. Postal Service.
How To Ration Care? Exhausted Health Workers Face Most Difficult Calls Yet
The need to implement “crisis standards of care” has been a covid pandemic dread — and is now a tragic reality for many hospitals in hard-hit areas. So how are such hard decisions made? And another consequence of an overwhelmed health care system: canceled elective surgeries delay necessary care for non-covid patients.
Judge OKs Vaccines For NYC Teachers; Florida Loosens Quarantine Rules
In Florida, asymptomatic children exposed to covid in classrooms can now be sent back to school by their parents. Meanwhile in Kansas, a middle school student has died of covid, becoming the first victim in the state between the ages of 10 and 17.
‘We Need To Go Big’: Biden Urges Global Leaders To Donate More Vaccines
“We’re not going to solve this crisis with half-measures or middle-of-the-road ambitions,” President Joe Biden said at a virtual vaccine summit he convened Wednesday, where he announced the U.S. purchase of an additional 500 doses of Pfizer’s covid shot to share with poorer nations. Other strategies for ending the pandemic were discussed.
Amid Staffing Crisis, 78% Of Nursing Homes Worry They’ll Have To Close
Vaccine mandates and burnout are causing major worker shortages at hospitals and long-term care facilities. In other news, the Mormon Church will require masks in temple; TD Garden in Boston will require jabs to enter; Idaho lawmakers seek ways to nullify the vaccine mandate; and more.
Study: Pregnant Moms Who Get MRNA Jab Pass On High Levels Of Antibodies
The study was one of the first to measure antibody levels in umbilical cord blood to distinguish it from immunity from an infection, Bloomberg reports.
FDA Greenlights Pfizer Booster; Hurdles Remain Before Distribution Can Start
The Food and Drug Administration granted on Wednesday its emergency authorization to administer third doses of the Pfizer covid vaccine to Americans who are 65 or older or at high risk, like health care workers and teachers. Next steps before rollout starts include day two of a meeting of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisers.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Perspectives: In Taking On Big Pharma, Biden Needs To Channel FDR’s Grit
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid and vaccine issues.
Viewpoints: How To Help Nurses Dealing With PTSD; Options For Fighting Texas Anti-Abortion Law
Editorial pages examine these public health issues.
Poll: About 1 In 10 Adults Have Skipped A Pill In The Past Year To Save Money
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Wet Season Pushes West Nile Virus Risk To Record Highs In Arizona
Through the end of last week, Arizona had reported 123 cases of West Nile Virus, which is spread by mosquitos, and four deaths. Meanwhile, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports on alerts about mosquito-, fly- and vermin-borne illness risks as the local trash pickup crisis continues.
Mauritius Set To Offer Covid Booster Shots To Fully Vaxxed People
The country will become the second in Africa to offer boosters. Thailand, meanwhile, said its studies of combination inoculations showed best results for a second-shot dose of Pfizer’s vaccine after a Sinovac or AstraZeneca first shot. China, Japan, Germany and Russia are also in the news.
Florida’s Nursing Staff Crisis Prompts Hospital Admins To Ask For State Help
Health News Florida covers efforts by local hospital administrators to deal with nursing shortages. Separately, reports say the gap between health insurer CEO pay and that of regular employees has narrowed. Dignity Health, Walgreens Boots, Johns Hopkins Bayview and more are also in the news.
Apple Researching Tech To Track, Predict Depression, Cognitive Decline
The Wall Street Journal reports on studies using Apple’s devices, including sensors in Apple Watch, that examine neurological or mood disorders and could lead to new tools to help sufferers. Separately, slow sales of Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm push maker Biogen to look at cost-cutting.
Later-Life Cognitive Decline In Women Linked To Earlier Sexual Assaults
CNN reports on a new study that found higher levels of white matter hyperintensities, indicative of blood flow disruption, in brain scans of women who’d been sexually assaulted earlier in life. Separately, studies show the U.S. birth rate may have bounced back from pandemic-induced lows.
Havana Syndrome Diplomats Face Disbelief, But Aid Bill Progresses
The House unanimously passed a bill to aid sufferers of the mysterious Havana Syndrome, sending it next to the president’s desk. But news outlets report that some diplomats and staff affected by the brain-injuring syndrome are facing skepticism when they describe the effects.
Investigation Finds Medicare Insurers Drew $9.2B From Controversial Billing Practices
The Wall Street Journal reports on an investigation from Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services that also determined that half of that money went to 20 insurers. Other Medicare and Medicaid developments are also in today’s news.