Latest KFF Health News Stories
Biden Appeals Directly To Americans To Support Infrastructure Plan
In an op-ed in Yahoo News, the president stressed than the infrastructure deal would help create millions of jobs, would make communities safer by fixing bridges, would improve the clean-water supply by replacing lead pipes and more.
Becerra Tours Shelter, Asks Congress To Overhaul Immigration Systems
After visiting Fort Bliss military base in Texas, currently the largest migrant shelter, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said conditions were improving and the number of child migrants at the camp had fallen. He also asked for changes in the entire immigration service.
HHS Releases Proposed Rule To Extend ACA Enrollment, Add More Windows During Year
Another proposed regulation would rescind a Trump administration waiver that allows states to privatize their marketplace exchanges, bypassing healthcare.gov. Meanwhile, lawmakers look to further tweak the Affordable Care Act since the health law survived its latest Supreme Court challenge.
In Face Of Huge Costs, Medicare May Limit Eligibility For Alzheimer’s Drug
And Stat offers an interactive that guesses at the financial hit Medicare may take from Aduhelm $56,000-a-year price tag. In other Medicare news, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services move to expand its home health value-based purchasing program nationwide.
Juul To Pay $40 Million To Settle North Carolina Vaping Lawsuit
North Carolina’s attorneys announced the deal Monday, saying the funds will be used to help teens who are addicted to Juul products and for preventive programs. Electronic cigarette giant Juul — which still faces many other suits — also agreed not to advertise to anyone in North Carolina under 21 and limit online sales.
As States Reopened After First 2020 Wave, 5,300 More People Were Hospitalized Daily
A study links reopenings in spring 2020 with spikes in people hospitalized with covid. Deaths also rose, but over a month later. Separately, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has received reports of 4,115 covid-vaccinated people who were hospitalized or died.
Covid Has Another Impact: Doubling Type 2 Diabetes Issues For Kids
A study in Louisiana shows that the number of Type 2 cases of diabetes in children that required hospitalization were up more than twice during 2020, and they increased in severity. Salmonella outbreaks, HPV vaccines, worker burnout and more are also in the news.
2 Weeks After California’s Reopening, LA County Urges Mask-Wearing Indoors
More health experts are growing wary about the spread of the highly transmissible delta variant.
Biden To Visit Michigan Over July 4 Weekend In Vaccine Push
The president will head to Traverse City on Saturday as the White House celebrates progress against the pandemic, concluding a weeklong push to promote vaccination. This week, first lady Jill Biden is visiting Texas as part of this effort.
Editorial pages delve into these various public health topics.
Opinion writers tackle these Covid and vaccine issues.
Mixing AstraZeneca, Pfizer Vaccines Delivers Stronger Immune Response
A dose of Pfizer covid vaccine four weeks after an AstraZeneca shot causes a stronger immune response than two doses of AstraZeneca according to a U.K. study. News outlets cover the whole issue of mixing covid vaccines, as well as technology behind currently approved shots.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Perspectives: Evidence Emerging That Colds Can Prevent Flu; Warming Temperatures Pose Health Risks
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health issues.
Delta Covid Variant Soars In Sydney, Forcing Full Lockdown Of City
It’s the first full lockdown of the Australian city since the pandemic began. Meanwhile, South Africa tightens its restrictions; most infections in the UAE are linked to more-infectious variants; and India may have undercounted covid deaths by hundreds of thousands.
Viewpoints: Ways US Can Boost Global Vaccine Effort; Some College Vaccine Mandates Being Challenged
Opinion writers tackle these covid and vaccine topics.
The First Big Cruise Ship In Over 15 Months Has Departed A US Port
Meanwhile, on a Royal Caribbean International cruise in the Bahamas, two young passengers have tested positive for covid. The TSA has also reported the highest number of travelers passing though its screening processes since March 7, 2020.
Louisiana’s State Worker Insurance Will Pay For Weight-Loss Surgery
A new law covers obesity surgery for state workers, including teachers and retirees. In other news, South Carolina offers free HIV and STD tests; the CDC gives Maine $7 million to prepare for future pandemics and the state’s budget includes $300 covid relief payouts.
UK Health Minister Breaks Covid Rules, Resigns After Causing Scandal
Matt Hancock was seen kissing an aide in his office in a leaked video, breaking social distancing rules he’d imposed on Britain. His replacement is reportedly keen to end the country’s covid restrictions. Separately, reports say 2 million English people likely had long covid.
Approval, Pricing Of New Alzheimer’s Drug Targeted In House Investigation
Stat reports that both Biogen, makers of Aduhelm, and the Food and Drug Administration are to be examined. Meanwhile, Axios reports on Aduhelm’s price impact on efforts to lower prescription costs and outlines its potential impact on medical standards and budgets.