Latest KFF Health News Stories
In Poll, Most Disapprove Of Texas Abortion Restrictions; Abbott Adds More
The Dallas Morning News covers deeper restrictions on abortions in Texas signed by Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, in addition to the recent controversial “heartbeat” law. The Washington Post reports “broad” majorities of Americans oppose that law and the Supreme Court’s reaction to it.
Killer Heat In Biden’s Sights With New Plan To Combat Deaths, Danger
News outlets report that heat is now the leading weather-related cause of death in the U.S., which is why the president is taking action with a plan that includes new workplace safety rules to prevent deaths and illnesses from extreme heat and heat-related events caused by climate change.
White House Initiative Targets Nation’s Homelessness Epidemic
The Biden administration unveiled a new campaign dubbed “House America” that aims to fight the growing wave of Americans without stable housing. News outlets also cover efforts to tackle that crisis in California. Other administration news reports on Afghanistan evacuees, Havana syndrome and HHS’ pandemic response.
Veterans Discharged Under ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Now Eligible For Benefits
Veterans previously given other than honorable discharges from the military due to their sexual orientation are now eligible for full benefits. The Department of Veterans affairs announced the change Monday, noting LGBTQ veterans were not “any less worthy” of care than all other veterans.
Covid Rates Fall In California, Where One County Nears 100% Vaccination
In Marin County, 97.3% of the eligible population has received at least one vaccine dose.
School, Child Care Staff In DC Get Nov. 1 Covid Vaccine Deadline
Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel E. Bowser, a Democrat, announced the news yesterday. The Nov. 1 date is for full vaccination and eliminates a testing-only option for professionals who interact with kids too young to get shots. Meanwhile a more frequent testing regime was announced for New York City teachers.
Deadliest Outbreak: More Americans Have Died From Covid Than 1918 Flu
The so-called Spanish flu killed 675,000 people in the U.S. over two years starting in 1918. The current death toll from the covid-19 pandemic has now surpassed that number. And is still climbing.
Johnson & Johnson Says Its Two-Shot Vaccine Boosts Effectiveness To 94%
The drugmaker reported results for a modified regime for its one-shot covid vaccine, with two doses separated by an eight-week gap. The company also looked at adding a booster shot after the original one-shot vaccine and said it appears even more effective against covid.
Delta Takes ‘Devastating’ Toll On Rural Communities, Fills Up Hospitals
Health workers serving small towns or remote areas in the South talk about the heartbreaking struggles from this covid surge. Pandemic news also addresses hospitalizations and deaths in Minnesota, Utah, Idaho and Washington, as well as the Nebraska hospital tracker.
Most Vaccinated Foreign Travelers Will Soon Be Able To Fly To US
The Biden administration announced that international flyers who show proof of full covid vaccination and test negative within 3 days of travel will be able to come to the United States. The policy is targeted to start in November.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages tackle these public health concerns.
States Without Medicaid Expansion Have More Emergency Surgeries
A recent paper in the Health Affairs journal notes that gallbladder removal and heart catheterization are the top two surgeries performed on uninsured patients in states that haven’t expanded Medicaid. Overdose deaths, Hurricane Ida and disabilities, California vax rates and more are also in the news.
UN Covid Summit To Highlight World’s Vaccine Gap, Stir Debate Over Boosters
CNN says U.S. officials fear the United Nations event itself could be a covid superspreader, highlighting the differing access to vaccines across the globe. Bloomberg describes how President Joe Biden’s plans for booster shots could collide with efforts to fix poor access to vaccines in poorer nations.
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid and vaccine topics.
Pfizer Recalls Chantix Anti-Smoking Drug Over Cancer-Causing Chemical
The voluntary recall was driven by the presence of high levels of nitrosamine, which can increase the risk of cancer. Separately, a study showed a Mirati Therapeutics drug that blocks the KRAS cancer protein shrank tumors in 22% of patients with advanced colon cancers.
How Much Is That Doggie In The Window? The One With Drug-Resistant Bacteria
A new study led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says strains of extensively drug-resistant bacteria from pet store puppies are continuing to cause illnesses in people. Separately, Facebook pushes back at reports it knew the negative mental health impact of its products.
Strike Vote Authorized by Labor Union For 24,000 Kaiser Permanente Staff
United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals covers registered nurses, pharmacists, rehab therapists, midwives and optometrists. Meanwhile, U.S. health authorities are planning to spend $2.1 billion to improve infection prevention in hospitals across the country.
Religious Leaders Fielding Many Requests For Vaccine Exemptions
Greek Orthodox and Lutheran leaders are mostly saying no to exemptions, while some Catholic jurisdictions have been more accommodating. Meanwhile, missionaries sent into the field will be required to get jabs.
School Nursing Staff Burned Out Amid Covid Surges, Staff Shortages
The Philadelphia Inquirer reports on exhaustion among the area’s school nurses as their workload has “doubled” during the pandemic. Separate reports in Columbus, Ohio, highlight that over 100 school nurses working for Columbus City Schools have said they’re overwhelmed dealing with the covid crisis.