Latest KFF Health News Stories
Obamacare Survives Yet Another Supreme Court Challenge
In a 7-2 vote, the Supreme Court justices dismissed the latest legal challenge to the Affordable Care Act. The majority said that the plaintiffs — led by Texas — did not have standing to bring their lawsuit to federal court. KHN will have full coverage shortly.
Viewpoints: Why Russian Vaccination Numbers Are Low; How Worried Should US Be About Delta Variant?
Opinion writers weigh in on covid, masks and vaccine issues.
Editorial writers explore medical marijuana, disability workforce issues and improving health care.
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Appeals Court Rules North Carolina’s Abortion Ban Unconstitutional
The post-20-week abortion ban is decades old, but a federal appeals court just unanimously ruled it is unconstitutional. In other news, Texas Gov. Greg Abbot signed a bill immediately banning abortions if Roe vs. Wade is overturned at the Supreme Court.
In Countdown To Olympics, Japan Relaxes Its State Of Emergency
Meanwhile, the E.U. is dropping travel restrictions for U.S. tourists, and France is easing its mask rules. Separately, five health workers were killed in Afghanistan while trying to vaccinate for polio.
As Covid Starts To Fade, Cosmetic Dentistry Soars
NBC News reports on rising demand for cosmetic dentistry treatments, to levels possibly higher than pre-pandemic. Sexual assault nurse training, Spectrum Health’s hospital visitation rules, a stabbing lawsuit at Penn Medicine and more are also in the news.
Evictions An Imminent Threat To Over 8 Million Households
A new Harvard University housing report shines a spotlight onto the issue of evictions, with most threatened homeowners being either low-income or families of color. The issue of homelessness in New York City and Los Angeles is also in the news.
Biden Administration Extends Title IX Protections To Transgender Students
Based on a recent Supreme Court related to the workplace, the Education Departments says that the federal law banning gender-based discrimination should apply to gay and transgender students too.
First Patient Receives Newly Approved Alzheimer’s Drug
A 70-year-old patient from Rhode Island is the first person outside of clinical trials to get the controversially approved Biogen drug. Meanwhile, a report suggests that U.S. drug spending will grow over 8% through 2025, with the Alzheimer’s medication partly to blame.
US Should Be Investigated In Covid Origin Probe, Chinese Expert Says
The Chinese epidemiologist pointed to studies that say covid may have been in the U.S. as early as December 2019. Separately, MERS-related covid is found in a Swedish bat study.
Pennsylvania Contact Tracing Provider Struggles To Seal Data Breach
The issue is that leaked personal information for some Pennsylvania residents may still be online. In other news, a Texas man who declined covid vaccines and then needed a double lung transplant after contracting covid speaks out in favor of the shots.
Uber Requires Masks For Everyone; DeSantis Pardons All Floridians Who Broke Mask Rules
More news on mask requirements is from Maryland, New Mexico, California and Iowa.
Expired Pfizer Shots Administered To Almost 900 People New York
The New York State Health Department is recommending that people who were vaccinated at the former NFL Experience building in Times Square between June 5 to 10 get another shot.
Covid Variants A Growing Threat As Vaccinations Slow
The AP reports that vaccination drives have turned into a “slog” as incentives like prizes and cash fail to convince many Americans to get vaccinated. Separately, covid hotspots are reported across Missouri, with the delta variant blamed in particular.
CureVac Reports That Its Vaccine Falls Short Of Efficacy Benchmarks
Preliminary clinical trial data shows that the German vaccine manufacturer’s mRNA covid shot candidate is just 47% effective — comparatively low to that of Moderna and Pfizer.
US Buys More Moderna Vaccine, Planning Ahead For Kids’ Shots, Boosters
The Biden administration has procured another 200 million doses, Moderna announced. In other vaccination news: the CDC’s advisory panel looks into reports of heart inflammation.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Some Medicines Still Contain Toxic Ingredients; Extremism Is A Public Health Issue
Editorial writers delve into toxic ingredients in medicine, tackling extremism and Aduhelm.
Perspectives: Mainers Shouldn’t Have To Ration Their Medication
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.