Latest KFF Health News Stories
Anti-Mask Fight Politically Charged In Many States You Don’t Hear About
Axios notes that it’s not just Florida and Texas that are struggling when it comes to this form of covid prevention. Meanwhile, Utah’s governor is reportedly walking back from comments he made about “extreme maskers” last week.
Health Care Workers May Suffer More PTSD, Trauma During Pandemic
Axios reports on how the upticks in covid may boost levels of trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder suffered by front-line health workers during the pandemic. Separate reports cover struggles to find nursing staff in rural areas of the country and a dip in health care employment numbers during August.
Pfizer Boosters Still Targeted To Start In 2 Weeks, But Moderna’s May Lag
The Biden administration wants more dosage data from Moderna before it authorizes a third shot.
Message Of Vaccine Efficacy Getting Lost, Health Experts Worry
Emphasizing that the original goal of the covid vaccine was to protect against severe forms of the disease is key to getting more shots in arms, public health officials say. News outlets also report on new ways that the vaccine could reach more people.
Colleges Get Tough With Fines, Restrictions For Non-Vaxxed Students
Politico covers covid prevention efforts at institutions like Quinnipiac University and Rutgers University, which now include fines and threats to disconnect email access for the unvaxxed. Separately, news outlets report on the impact the pandemic is having on California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s recall.
State Aid Is Only Option For Jobless As Federal Unemployment Benefits Expire
The Biden administration and federal lawmakers gamble that hiring will bolster Americans who have been unemployed longer than 6 months and the self-employed or gig workers, as jobless benefits for both groups ended yesterday.
Covid Cases: Thought Labor Day Would Be Better This Year? You Were Wrong
Daily infections are more than four times what they were during Labor Day weekend 2020, when the United States didn’t have a covid vaccine. Meanwhile, the mu variant, also known as B.1.621, has been detected in Los Angeles County.
In Reversal, Ohio Hospital Doesn’t Have To Give Ivermectin To Covid Patient
The family of the ailing man said they will not appeal the decision because he has already received 13 days of doses and will soon be taken off a ventilator.
“I don’t care what this judge says,” one of their attorneys said. “We are believers he’s going to survive because of ivermectin.”
Justice Department ‘Urgently’ Exploring Challenges To Texas Abortion Ban
Attorney General Merrick Garland said his agency will enforce a federal law that prohibits threatening or physically preventing a person from seeking an abortion. He did not specify what other measures the Justice Department is considering in response to the Supreme Court allowing Texas’ “heartbeat” law to stand.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Perspectives: Preventive Treatments Versus A Booster Shot; Should Unvaxxed Bear Financial Burden?
Opinion writers explore these covid and vaccine topics.
Editorial writers consider the Mental Health Access Improvement Act and the nursing shortage.
Longer Looks, Part 2: All About The Pandemic
We know you’ll miss us next week, so we’ve included more great stories to keep you busy until the Morning Briefing returns after Labor Day.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on abortion, ADHD, horseshoe crabs, hot dogs and more.
Japanese Moderna Shot Contaminant Thought To Be Metal Particles
The country had earlier suspended use of 1.63 million doses of the Moderna vaccine that were bottled by Spanish pharma company Rovi. Meanwhile, Pfizer and BioNTech made a new deal to make covid shots for Latin America. Vaccine inequality and Chinese vaccines are also in the news.
Las Vegas Teachers Health Trust Can’t Cover Claims From Before July
Clark County teachers learned their health insurance trust has no money to cover claims made before July. In other news, Washington state kills its first “murder hornet” nest; Florida hasn’t spent $820 million to benefit low-income children; pushback on San Francisco’s homeless plan; and more.
Cigna Expands ACA Health Coverage To 3 New States, 93 Counties
Pending regulatory approval, Cigna’s individual and family plans will be available to customers using Affordable Care Act marketplaces in Georgia, Mississippi, Pennsylvania and elsewhere. In other news, a nursing shortage in California is reportedly at “crisis point.”
Overdose Deaths From Meth, Alcohol, Fentanyl Hit Record In New Mexico
2020’s all-time overdose death peak in New Mexico included a nearly 129% year-on-year growth in fentanyl-related deaths. Meanwhile, California shelved a bill that had proposed decriminalizing some psychedelic drugs. Philadelphia’s injection site and the Sackler family are also in the news.
FDA Begins E-Cigarette Crackdown, Ordering 55,000 Products To Be Pulled
Electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) products from three manufacturers were blocked by the Food and Drug Administration, in what industry watchers view as the start of a potentially large shake up of the marketplace. News outlets report on what it may mean for other companies like Juul.
Clemency Appeals For Prisoners Released Due To Covid Put To Biden Administration
Business owners who hired nonviolent offenders who were allowed to serve time at home during the pandemic are asking the Justice Department to allow prisoners to continue doing so. Other Biden administration news focuses on other areas of its covid response.