Latest KFF Health News Stories
Threats, Harassment Hit One In Four Health Workers During Pandemic
About 23% of public health care workers said they’d been targeted because of their work since the pandemic began. In other news, a new Arizona State University program is trying to attract new students to tackle a nursing shortage that’s been felt particularly in rural areas.
CMS Nixes Medicaid Work Requirements In Arizona, Indiana
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services alerted both states on Friday that the agency is rescinding previous approval by the Trump administration to add work or job training rules for some Medicaid beneficiaries. In related news, Georgia is also delaying its plans to institute such requirements.
J&J Will End Sales Of Opioids, Settle With New York State For $230 Million
The drugmaker will permanently end manufacturing and sales of opioids across the U.S. It will also pay $230 million to settle a lawsuit alleging it helped fuel the opioid crisis. Syringe exchanges, medical marijuana rules and harm reduction for drug users are also in the news.
What To Know About Future Path Of Delta Variant — And Delta Plus
As delta-driven cases quickly rise across the globe — including pockets of the U.S. — alarmed public health experts weigh in on the fallout for vaccine boosters, infection rates and renewed restrictions. The common message of them all: your best shot at staying safe is to get vaccinated now.
Study Finds Lost Sense Of Smell, Taste Could Last A Year After Covid
In other news, elective surgeries are being delayed as the after-effects of covid have an impact on patients; questions are asked of a probe into covid deaths at a Massachusetts veterans home; and Utah sees a spike in covid cases and deaths.
Thanks To Delta, WHO Says Masks Still Needed Even For Vaccinated People
Noting that vaccines alone aren’t enough to stop community transmission of all variants of covid, the World Health Organization stressed the importance of sticking with masks. Separately, senators are pressing the CDC and TSA on when they’ll update masking rules.
Will FDA Speed Up Full Approval Process For Covid Vaccines?
Some public health officials and politicians are calling on the Food and Drug Administration to step up their review, arguing that it would help some hesitant Americans to get vaccinated.
Teens Sneaking Behind Parents’ Backs To Get Covid Vaccine
Many are stuck in a tug of war between one parent who says yes and the other who says no. Increasingly, adolescents are seeking ways to be vaccinated without their parents’ consent.
‘Heartbreaking Stories’: Biden Administration Urged To Tackle Medical Debt
Democratic Sens. Chris Murphy and Chris Van Hollen is calling on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to help Americans facing aggressive medical debt collection by hospitals. Separately, news outlets report on a charity’s big buy of medical debt, hospital tactics and more.
MRNA Vaccines May Protect For Years — With One Big Caveat, Study Finds
Covid boosters might not be needed after all — as long as the virus and its variants do not evolve much beyond their current forms, which is not guaranteed.
Infrastructure Deal ‘Waters Have Been Calmed’; Unlinked From Spending Bill
After a weekend of negotiations, the White House and senators say that the bipartisan $1.2 trillion infrastructure deal is back on track when the Biden administration backed off comments linking the bill to a larger spending package that would include more health care measures.
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, yoga, poverty, the psychology of tornado forecasting and more.
Opinion writers take on these Covid and vaccine issues.
Editorial writers delve into these public health issues.
Study Suggests Covid May Have Spread In China Sooner Than Thought
A new British study suggests covid may have been spreading in China as early as October 2019, two months before detection in Wuhan. Meanwhile, a Chinese researcher reports two Chinese covid vaccines are less effective against the delta variant, but still offer protection.
New York Lets People Select ‘X’ As Gender On Driver’s Licenses
The new Gender Recognition Act also lets people select “parent” as a non-binary gender option on birth certificates. Covid sanitation protocols, air pollution and cancer in Louisiana, syphilis in Florida and a surge in respiratory syncytial virus are also in the news.
About 900 Chicago Nurses Go On Strike Over Staffing Shortages
Other health care industry news is on St. Joseph’s/Candler, Health Catalyst, Twistle, LifeStance Health and more.
During Pandemic, Women Cared For Kids Three Times As Much As Men
In other news, research says gray hair can return to its original color; a study suggests chocolate for breakfast may have beneficial effects; Peloton’s product recall faces backlash; and Britney Spears’ forced contraception sparks a legal debate.
Carcinogen Contamination Halts Sales Of Smoking-Cessation Drug
Some lots of Pfizer’s Chantix pill were contaminated with high levels of nitrosamine, causing a global halt in sales. In other news, regulators approved Roche’s covid treatment drug Actemra in the U.S., and the CDC backs use of a controversial dengue vaccine.