Latest KFF Health News Stories
In New Jersey, Hospitals Can Now Build Housing For The Homeless
The new bill was signed by Gov. Phil Murphy, who said creative thinking was needed to battle the homeless crisis and improve health care. Separately, Sacramento’s mayor has a plan to mandate California’s capital city to house the homeless.
Covid-Era Smoking Ban In Atlantic City Casinos Ends Sunday
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed the order, but noted he’d look favorably on future bills to permanently ban smoking in Casinos — something campaigners are already asking for. Pot smoking, vaping, heated tobacco and more are also in the news.
Analysis: Aduhelm Would Be Cost-Effective Only If Priced 90% Less
Biogen’s Alzheimer’s drug has a list price of $56,000. Meanwhile, Bloomberg reports pricing for generic drugs varies among hospitals by up to $50 per pill.
Health Care Workers Lured To Other Jobs By Higher Pay
Rising pay in other industries is reportedly driving high medical staff turnover and depleting ranks of potential candidates. CMS’s plans for GME slots, antitrust and big tech health, Blue Cross North Carolina, and Amedisys are also in the news.
White House Takes Steps On Veteran Mental Health, Surprise Bills, Infrastructure
President Joe Biden signed into law a mental health bill aimed at boosting the Department of Veterans Affairs services and care for rural veterans. Other news from the administration focuses on surprising billing, cancer, funeral aid and the infrastructure deal.
Oklahoma Becomes 37th State To Expand Medicaid
Tens of thousands more Oklahomans become eligible for Medicaid starting today. And NPR looks at the 12 remaining hold-out states.
Michigan Latest State To Try Vaccine Lottery With $5 Million Sweepstakes
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will announce a vaccine incentive prize fund of over $5 million and nine college scholarships worth $55,000 each. Meanwhile, the White House celebrates vaccine progress, and Budweiser gives away free beer as an incentive.
Pfizer Says Vaccine Likely Available For Younger Kids By September Or October
A top executive at the company said it is closing in on its request for emergency-use authorization for children ages 5-11.
CDC Likely To Stick With Its Current Mask Guidelines, Fauci Says
The CDC says fully vaccinated people can resume most indoor and outdoor activities without wearing a mask or social distancing. Meanwhile, Montana, Oregon and Maryland are shedding more of their covid restrictions or mandates.
Delta-Plus Is Here; US Testing Strategy Reevaluated As Variants Spread
The Biden administration is reportedly weighing diagnostic lessons learned from the pandemic’s last 15 months to try to prepare for the emergence of the delta strain. Meanwhile, the first case of delta-plus is detected in Louisiana.
Doctors Say Covid Symptoms Are Changing, Now Look More Like A Cold
Upper respiratory symptoms such as congestion, runny nose and headache seem to be increasing among those found to have the coronavirus. In other research news: vaccinated people who get covid appear to carry less of the virus; some wildlife may be able to spread covid to humans; and more.
Record Heat Likely To Blame For Hundreds Of Deaths In Northwest
Historic temperatures lingering over the region for five days officially caused 63 deaths with hundreds of others under investigation. And an Oregon public health official said, “This was a true health crisis that has underscored how deadly an extreme heat wave can be.” Meanwhile, much of the rest of the nation copes with a heat wave.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Different Takes: Problems Come With Vaccine Mandates; Should Vaccinated Re-Mask Due To Delta?
Opinion writers weigh in on covid, masks, vaccines and related health issues.
California To Extend Medi-Cal To Nearly 240,000 Undocumented People
Undocumented adults in California are often essential workers, and 235,000 of them will be eligible for free or low-cost medical services as early as next year. Police funding, suicide hotlines, homeless encampments and more are also in the news.
North Korea’s Leader Hints At ‘Grave’ Covid Crisis
North Korea’s leader previously denied there was any covid in the country. Separately, China’s Sinovac vaccine is effective in kids as young as 3, Australia struggles with AstraZeneca vaccine rules, and the U.K. is confident it can beat delta covid.
Viewpoints: Burnout Has Health Consequences; Mental Health Conservatorships Due For Change
Editorial pages tackle these various public health issues.
Northwest Heat Wave Prompts Hundreds Of ER Visits, 60 Deaths
The Oregonian reports on a farmworker’s death attributed simply to “heat,” and CNN covers ER visits and deaths in several Northwest states. In other news, excessive screen time linked to preteen obesity, and the future of cat allergy treatments is explained.
Marijuana Laws Change, But Exactly How Depends On Your State
From yesterday, people in New Mexico can possess and grow recreational marijuana, but confusion reigns in Virginia over what’s exactly legal after July 1. Meanwhile the first medical marijuana dispensary is set to open Thursday in South Dakota.
Walmart Launches Own Line Of Insulin
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.