Latest KFF Health News Stories
Unvaxxed Kids Likely Will Be Asked To Mask-Up In School This Fall, Biden Says
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is likely to advise unvaccinated youngsters and everyone under the age of 12 that they’ll need to wear masks when they return to school, President Joe Biden said yesterday. He noted it was a “community responsibility” issue and would be hard to enforce.
Vaccine Myths And Truths: Biden Tackles Low Uptake At Town Hall
At a Cincinnati town hall event, President Joe Biden tried to drive enthusiasm for getting a covid shot, noting it was “gigantically important” for beating the pandemic. News outlets analyze some of his pro-vax statements, and cover the “ridiculous” vaccine myths that are contributing to low uptake.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: CDC Needs New Way To Provide Information; Climate Change Causing Health Issues
Editorial writers tackle these public health issues.
How Drug Pricing Could Save The Infrastructure Deal
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Perspectives: The Democratic Majority Is Riding On The Infrastructure Bill
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Different Takes: PCPs Vital In Vaccination Effort; Employers Have Authority To Mandate Vaccination
Opinion writers explore these covid and vaccine topics.
New York City’s Air ‘Unhealthy’ As Western Wildfire Smoke Blows Across Entire US
Fires in 13 western states created a haze of smoke particles that blew as far east as New York City, leading to polluted air that some local reports called “as thick as winter fog.” The air quality index in the city reached levels deemed “unhealthy” by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Official: Olympic Games Could Still Be Canceled If Covid Surges
In a news conference Tuesday, Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto admitted there is a possibility the Games could be yet canceled because of the unpredictability of covid. WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the risk of the Games spreading the virus was inevitable.
Canada Clarifies Border Opening Rules: Negative PCR Tests Still Required
Though Canada is opening its borders to fully vaccinated Americans Aug. 9, proof of a negative PCR test result is still needed to enter the country — even for Canadians coming from the U.S. Meanwhile, India’s true covid death toll may be around 4 million — 10 times the official count.
Study: Hospitals Still Hold The Cards In Pricing Discussions With Big Employers
A study in the American Journal of Managed Care says hospitals still wield considerable market power when it comes to self-insured employers and negotiations over billing. Hospital pricing, covid medical bills, New York hospital mergers and more are also in the news.
HIV Prevention Pill Required To Be Free For Almost All Insured Patients
The federal government says insurers must not charge copays, coinsurance or deductibles for the quarterly clinic visits and lab tests required to maintain a PrEP prescription, NBC News reported.
Gallup Says 2020 Is Record-Setting Year For World’s Negative Emotions
Although covid added to the stress, the pollsters say other issues such as global hunger, rising corruption and income inequality also contributed. Other reports look at new research on Alzheimer’s disease and concerns about monkey pox.
Near-Total Arkansas Abortion Ban Blocked By Federal Judge
Judge Kristine Baker of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas ruled to prevent the law from being enforced, saying it was an “imminent threat” to constitutional rights of women seeking abortion. Other news covers the National Association of Christian Lawmakers, and Mexico.
Schumer Pushes Bipartisan Bill Vote So Senate Can Move To $3.5T Budget Plan
The Senate is scheduled to vote today on a bipartisan bill to improve the nation’s roads, bridges and other infrastructure. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is holding the bill on a tight time frame because he is trying to get another big initiative, the $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation with a number of major health programs, through the Senate this summer.
Coronavirus Casts New Shadow Over Capitol Dome
The recent surge in cases is slowing work on Capitol Hill and shattering a sense of calm. Adding to the jitters was news yesterday that a White House employee and a member of Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s staff tested positive even though they were fully vaccinated.
Fauci, Paul Trade Accusations Of Lying At Covid Hearing
During a hearing Tuesday, Sen. Rand Paul tried to accuse Dr. Anthony Fauci of being partly to blame for starting the covid pandemic by helping fund research at a Wuhan lab. A frequently interrupted Fauci angrily pointed out the correct science and called Paul a liar.
McConnell And Scalise, Noting Rise Of Virus, Urge Supporters Get Vaccinated
The recent surge of covid cases is prompting some Republican leaders to speak out as they try to overcome vaccine hesitancy among many conservatives.
Study: J&J Shot May Be Less Effective Against Delta, Lambda Variants
The research, posted online Tuesday, has not yet been peer-reviewed nor published in a journal, and it conflicts with research from Johnson & Johnson earlier this month. Also in the news: booster shots.
White House Renews ‘Public Health Emergency’ Pandemic Status
Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra issued the sixth renewal of the emergency state on Monday. Separately, President Joe Biden admitted there’s “a way to go yet” to beat covid. News outlets cover the administration’s covid response at six months in office.