Latest KFF Health News Stories
Drug Pricing Vote Set To Challenge Moderate Democrats’ Opposition
As Democrats scramble to salvage President Joe Biden’s domestic agenda, outlined in dual spending packages, House leaders plan a showdown vote on a drug pricing measure that has held up progress. Meanwhile, lawmakers are staring over the edge of a fiscal cliff with a debt ceiling stalemate and threat of a partial governement shutdown.
Congress Wades Back Into Battle Over Abortion Rights
A bill called the “Women’s Health Protection Act,” which advanced in the House Tuesday, aims to respond to restrictive laws enacted in the states. But even if it were to pass, the legislation is unlikely to progress in the Senate. Meanwhile, another Texas law now bans abortion-inducing drugs after seven weeks.
Covid Infections: ‘Cautious’ Analysis Shows A Much Quieter Winter, Spring
The most likely scenario, NPR reported, is that kids get the vaccine and overall deaths in the U.S. will fall to fewer than 100 a day by March. For now, though, deaths are averaging more than 1,900 a day.
Feds Begin Probe Of Texas Mask Ban On Behalf Of Those With Disabilities
The investigation comes amid a legal back-and-forth on preventing public schools from mandating face coverings for students. Other mask news is from Kentucky, Michigan, Georgia, Iowa, California and Pennsylvania.
Nanobody Immune Therapy From Llamas Shows Anti-Covid Promise
Nanobodies are similar to antibodies, but are smaller, simpler and produced naturally in llamas and camels when they suffer infections. A llama called Fifi is the source of a promising new covid therapy. Meanwhile, a drug already approved to treat gout may also be useful against covid.
Unvaxxed Health Staff Allowed, In Some Cases, To Work In Rhode Island
If there’s a risk to quality of care in the case of a health worker’s absence, the state’s Department of Health has decided they can still work even if unvaccinated — a change to its vaccine mandate policy. In North Carolina, Novant Health says it suspended “hundreds” of staff for flouting vaccine rules.
Boosters For All Or Boosters For Some: FDA Set To Decide Strategy Today
On Friday, a Food and Drug Administration advisory panel argued against broad rollouts for covid boosters. Meanwhile, reports say the race gap in vaccination in the U.S. may be bigger than previously thought. Efforts to persuade the unvaxxed, the spread of covid misinfo and more are also reported.
Biden Doubles Vaccine Purchases To Share, Will Host Global Summit
The White House is convening a virtual vaccine summit today with global leaders and health officials. President Joe Biden is expected to announce that the U.S. will buy 500 million additional Pfizer doses to donate to other countries, according to sources, and will urge well-off nations to share more. One notable absence at the event will be Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Biden Calls For Global Coordination On ‘Borderless’ Dangers Of Climate, Covid
President Joe Biden spoke before the United Nations General Assembly Tuesday, pledging a diplomatic focus in his foreign policy and asking world leaders to join together to tackle crisis facing all nations: “We must work together as never before.”
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Different Takes: Vaccine Verification System Needed; No Major Religion Forbids Covid Vaccine
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid and vaccine issues.
Viewpoints: Could Roe Be Overturned?; Online Medical School Leading To Early Burnout
Editorial pages delve into Roe v. Wade, online medical school and mental health coverage.
Gun Deaths Of US Children Rose Dramatically During Pandemic
USA Today reports that for kids ages 11 and younger, gun violence deaths in 2020 were up 50% over the year before. Overall numbers for children were also up for 2021 so far. Separately, the source of a salmonella outbreak affecting more than 125 people across 25 states remains unknown.
Mississippi Data: Hypertension Is Top Underlying Condition In Covid Deaths
The Mississippi Clarion Ledger reports on which underlying conditions were involved in covid deaths in the state, with other cardiovascular issues and diabetes in second and third place. Deaths at Rikers Island jail, Colorado’s obesity rates and more are also in the news.
India, World’s Biggest Vaccine Maker, To Resume Covid Exports Next Month
India had stopped exports during a massive surge in covid cases in April. Meanwhile, Thailand’s efforts to vaccinate kids ages 12 to 18 is making headway; Africa’s HIV issues during the pandemic are reported; a German man was accused of murder over a face mask dispute; and more.
Drugmakers That Raise Prices Too Fast Face Penalties Under Broader Senate Plan
Stat reports a Senate committee signaled it is willing to expand a proposal to penalize pharmaceutical companies that hike drug prices at a quicker rate than inflation. Other news from Capitol Hill covers the Patent Office’s role in generics and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine.
Mergers Of Rural Hospitals Saved Lives, Study Finds
Hospitals that were acquired into larger health systems were associated with greater reductions in mortality for conditions like heart failure, stroke and pneumonia compared to facilities that remained independent, Modern Healthcare reports.
Third US Recipient Of Aeson Artificial Heart Is The First-Ever Woman
The procedure to implant the heart made by Carmat was performed at the UofL Health-Jewish Hospital. Although the surgery was the third in the U.S., it’s a first for the device maker: a female recipient. Beyondspring’s lung cancer study, Illumina’s Grail acquisition and bad drug ads are also in the news.
Next Major Abortion Case Will Be Argued Before Supreme Court On Dec. 1
In a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade, Mississippi will ask the Supreme Court justice to uphold its law that bans most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Abortion and family planning news is also reported from Missouri and New Hampshire.