Latest KFF Health News Stories
Hospital Pricing Data Pulls Back Veil On Bad Insurer Deals
The New York Times reports on why the health industry has been reluctant to comply with price transparency rules — including hospitals charging wildly different rates for similar procedures and insurers negotiating bad deals. Illumina, Google, SENS, Penn Medicine and more are also in the news.
Social Network Covid Misinfo Hurts Americans, Says Murthy
Misinformation is “happening largely, in part, aided and abetted by social media platforms,” Dr. Vivek Murthy said Sunday. Facebook’s most-viewed article in 2021 hinted that a covid vaccine was involved in a doctor’s death, but Facebook withheld a report revealing this, The New York Times reported.
It’s A Big Week For Spending Bills’ Future In The House
A group of centrist Democrats are threatening to upend House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s roadmap for advancing the $1 trillion infrastructure package and $3.5 trillion budget plan.
Antibody Combo Therapy From AstraZeneca Prevents Covid In Trial
Data from a trial of an anti-covid therapy from AstraZeneca showed it reduced risk of developing symptomatic covid by up to 77%, Fox News says. The Washington Post reports on other monoclonal antibody treatments. Other reports highlight a push against treating covid with ivermectin.
Climbing Hospitalizations Stretch Health Workers, Worry Surgeon General
Surgeon General Vivek Murthy says the number of covid cases is “deeply concerning” and that the ceiling on delta-driven cases is unknown. Meanwhile, Politico reports on efforts taxed hospitals and states are taking to retain and attract health personnel.
‘This Is Different’: Doctors Concerned About Kids As Covid Wave Hits Young
Across the nation, hospitals are reporting that admitted patients are trending younger than in any of the previous covid surges — partly due to many older people being vaccinated as well as the transmissibility of delta variant.
Education Secretary Affirms Power To Use Federal Funds To Counter School Mask Threats
Education Secretary Miguel Cardona says federal money can’t be blocked to school districts that opt for a mask mandate in states where a governor is pressuring against such moves.
More Places Likely To Require Shots As FDA Issues Full Approval For Pfizer Vaccine
The FDA announced full approval of the Pfizer/BioNTech covid vaccine. As one Ohio health official said, “It takes away from a certain number of people the argument it’s not approved. That’s been their argument of not getting it. Now we’re eliminated that.”
‘We Have To Protect American Lives’: Murthy Defends Decision On Boosters
The surgeon general acknowledged on ABC’s “This Week” that giving booster shots could “take away” from the global vaccine supply. But he stressed that the Biden administration’s recent efforts to bolster the global supply would ensure there isn’t a shortage.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
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 covid, Ben Franklin, NFL star Darrell Green, exercise, transgender health, robotic surgery and more.
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid, vaccine and masking issues.
Editorial pages weigh in on these public health topics.
Cerner’s New CEO Led Google Health; Johnson & Johnson’s CEO To Leave
Health tech firm Cerner’s new CEO will be former Google Health lead Dr. David Feinberg. Separately, Johnson & Johnson CEO Alex Gorsky will step down in January to become executive chairman. Surprise-billing bans, kidney care, “Gun Court,” and medical journal editorials are also in the news.
Haiti Getting US Field Hospitals To Help Earthquake Recovery Effort
Transport ship USS Arlington is en route to Haiti, and field hospitals have begun to be delivered to the earthquake-damaged nation. Reports say the earthquake hit a local oxygen plant, critical during the pandemic. Separately, New Zealand’s lockdown is extended as the delta outbreak spreads.
Wildfire Smoke Causes Air Quality Health Alerts In California
Smoke is forcing some officials to issue alerts lasting into the weekend — in Sacramento, air is expected to remain at unhealthy levels because of the ongoing Caldor fire. Other news outlets cover extreme heat, algae blooms, HIV and mental health matters.
Plastic Barriers May Actually Worsen Spread Of Coronavirus, Research Finds
The dividers can impede the natural air flow of a room, leading to aerosol buildup and potentially higher concentrations of the virus that causes covid, recent studies suggest. However, they appear to be beneficial at slowing the transmission of larger particles from sneezing and coughing.
First Human Trials Of Moderna’s MRNA HIV Vaccine To Begin
Axios reports on the first time ever such a trial is tried — participants have to be between 18 and 50, and not diagnosed with HIV. In other news: the pandemic and pelvic floors; Brazilian butt lifts; Black farmers’ support in North Carolina; covid Facebook ads; and Apple delays back-to-office plans.
The Rocky Road Back To School: Vaccine Gag Rule, Mask Wars
The fierce debate over how to return kids to the classroom amid surging covid cases is playing out in nearly every state. In addition to fights over masks, one Arizona school district is also banning any discussion by employees of vaccine status.
More School Districts Mandate Covid Vaccines For Students, Educators
From Culver City Unified School District in California, which will require all students ages 12 and over to get covid shots, to authorities in Georgia and Connecticut, which are mandating vaccines for teachers and support staff, the idea of requiring vaccines in schools is spreading.