Latest KFF Health News Content

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Book Reveals FDA’s Emergency Approval For Trump’s Covid Drugs

Morning Briefing

News outlets cover revelations from a new book detailing the Trump administration’s covid efforts, including “extraordinary” efforts to get President Donald Trump covid treatments, his suggestion to send infected people to Guantanamo Bay, and his “jokes” about covid and people who were infected.

Nearly Every One Of The Recent Covid Dead Were Unvaccinated

Morning Briefing

An AP analysis of CDC data for covid deaths in May shows that vaccinated victims of the virus only accounted for 0.8% of the total. Separately, a report says covid is “deadlier this year” than 2020, and cover infection upticks in several states as well as the rise of the delta variant.

CDC Probes Covid-Vaccinated Teen’s Death In Michigan

Morning Briefing

A 13-year-old in Saginaw County received a second dose of covid vaccine three days before he died, prompting a federal investigation. Separately, the National Institutes of Health launched a new study into effects of covid vaccines during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Biden Warns Of Delta Danger During Road Trip To Urge Vaccinations

Morning Briefing

“Six hundred thousand-plus Americans have died, and with this delta variant you know there’s going to be others as well. You know it’s going to happen. We’ve got to get young people vaccinated,” President Joe Biden said during a visit to a community center in Raleigh, North Carolina. The White House is deploying other top officials to other parts of the country to encourage Americans to get the covid shot.

‘Entering The Death Drawing’: W.Va. Governor’s Dire Alert For Unvaccinated

Morning Briefing

Republican Gov. Jim Justice pleaded with his constituents to get the covid shot with some real talk about the continuing health risks. Other vaccination news comes from Hawaii, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Texas, Massachusetts and California.

Fate Of Infrastructure Deal Intertwined With Reconciliation Bill Featuring Health Care Funding

Morning Briefing

President Joe Biden joined a group of 10 senators at the White House Thursday to announce that a bipartisan agreement on a $1.2 trillion infrastructure package — that includes water safety projects. But Biden said he would not sign any such legislation until Congress also passes a larger bill that allocates additional spending on “human infrastructure,” such as education and health care.

White House Planning To Lift Public Health Rule Blocking Migrants At Border

Morning Briefing

A Trump-era rule put in place during the pandemic allows border agents to turn away adult migrants at the southern border. The New York Times reports that the Biden administration is in the late stages of planning to phase out the measure. Other health and safety issues facing migrants to the U.S. is also in the news.

Florida Bill Protects Students With Disabilities From Dangerous Restraints

Morning Briefing

The new bill, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis requires schools to follow stricter punishment guidelines, and prohibits using “seclusion” punishments and face-down restraints. Hospice programs, dentistry, medical pot and counseling for AIDS patients are also in the news.

White House To Send 3 Million J&J Covid Shots To Brazil

Morning Briefing

Brazil on Wednesday reported a single-day record of 115,228 new covid cases, as the virus outbreak accelerates there. Separately, Reuters reports on how the Covax program to help poorer nations fight covid is falling short of its goal to deliver vaccines.

Japan’s Emperor Signals Concern The Olympics Will Worsen Covid Outbreak

Morning Briefing

In a rare statement, Emperor Naruhito says he is worried about current rates of covid in Japan and is concerned the upcoming Olympics will cause a rise in covid infections. Separately, a medical staff shortage is reportedly to blame, in part, for Japan’s slow vaccine rollout.

Lung Cancer Combination Drug Trial Reports ‘Encouraging’ Results

Morning Briefing

Arcus Biosciences’ two-drug combination includes anti-TIGIT antibodies. Separately, what lessons cancer researchers can learn from the pandemic; the role of AI in drug-discovery research; and the quest to develop a blood test for lung cancer.

Psychologists Seeing Mental Health, Behavioral Issues Caused By Pandemic

Morning Briefing

NBC News reports on how stress and other mental health issues caused by the pandemic and lockdowns are impacting society. USA Today, meanwhile, notes that 4 in 10 Americans are still wearing masks, even though they’re much less anxious about covid now.

Cigna’s Express Scripts Sues To Reclaim $43 Million In Tax Refunds

Morning Briefing

Cigna alleges the IRS wrongfully denied the insurer use of a particular income tax deduction. Meanwhile, reports say hospitals are “largely” not complying with new federal price transparency regulations, with less than a quarter of hospitals properly reporting all data.

Maryland Hospital Workers Rally, Say They’re Being Denied Covid Pay

Morning Briefing

In other news, mental health facility shortages can “trap” kids in ER beds for days; increased medical calls in San Francisco are delaying ambulance responses; a Tennessee doctor pleads guilty in an opioid death case; and Princeton Community Hospital has a new CEO.

Senate Finance Committee Pressed To Look At Cost Of New Alzheimer’s Drug

Morning Briefing

Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bill Cassidy want Congress to look at how pricey Aduhelm will impact the Medicare program. Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration, which recently approved the controversial drug, has been without a permanent commissioner for six months.