Latest KFF Health News Stories
Man, 56, Arrested And Charged With Threatening To Kill Fauci, His Family
Federal authorities say Thomas Patrick Connally Jr. sent threatening emails to Dr. Anthony Fauci and also NIH Director Francis Collins. Connally was arrested in West Virginia but charged in Maryland court; it’s not clear where he lives.
More States, Cities, Companies, Schools Refine Their Vaccine Mandates
Los Angeles is requiring city employees to get covid shots or undergo weekly testing. Ascension Health and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville join the list of providers requiring employees get shots. Cal State University, too. Meanwhile, rules for the Lollapalooza festival will depend on partiers’ vaccine status.
Kids, Teachers Should Also Wear Masks When Schools Reopen, CDC Says
In another guidance change, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending that all schools require masks for both unvaccinated and vaccinated people returning in the fall.
States Weigh Reinstating Mask Mandates
Nevada quickly revived its requirement for face coverings indoors. Other states like Oregon and Pennsylvania are recommending residents do so. State and local leaders in other places are debating how to respond to the latest federal guidance.
‘I’m Angry’: Covid Setbacks Spur Resentment Among Vaccinated
As blame mounts against unvaccinated Americans for the reversing pandemic progress, some experts worry that increased pressure on holdouts could backfire.
In A Red Zone? CDC Advises All To Mask Indoors, Despite Vaccine Status
Responding to the shifting state of the pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reversed its guidance on face coverings for vaccinated people living in areas with high transmission rates. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky acknowledged the frustrations felt by most Americans but warned that the delta variant requires more precautions to keep people safe.
Citing Mental Health, Biles Withdraws From Olympic Competitions
Gymnastics megastar Simone Biles is trying to “focus on her mental health,” withdrawing during the team final and then from the individual all-around competition. News outlets discuss athletes’ support for Biles and how the pandemic-era Olympics also affected tennis player Naomi Osaka.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
How Mark Cuban And Others Are Trying To Cut Our Prescription Costs
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Viewpoints: TBI And Its Long-Term Effects; Source Of Burkholderia Pseudomallei In Texas A Mystery
Editorial pages tackle these public health issues.
Olympics Day 5: Tokyo’s Daily Covid Cases Now Highest In The Pandemic
Tokyo had 2,848 new covid cases Tuesday, with authorities asking hospitals to prepare more beds for patients. Separately, reports highlight the low vaccination rate among U.S. athletes compared to other nations, and a positive covid test causes controversy in the surfing competition.
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid and vaccine issues.
In-Person Clause For Telemental Health Impedes Access, Say Providers
A clause in December’s Medicare spending bill demands patients see a mental health practitioner in person within six months before virtual treatment, and it’s now being targeted by advocates who argue it impedes access. Anthem, Atrium, quitting smoking, refugees and AI are also in the news.
Study Links Midlife Wealth To Longevity — Even Between Siblings
A new study seems to lean toward nurture in the nature/nurture debate in terms of having more money at midlife and then living longer. Meanwhile, reports say that in 4 of 10 U.S. counties, the federal nutrition subsidy doesn’t cover average meal costs.
43 People Now Being Monitored For Monkeypox Exposure In Georgia
Due to an earlier administrative mistake, 17 extra cases were added to Georgia’s monkeypox monitoring list Monday — none of the 43 have symptoms. Separately, the Air Force is preparing to end years of cleanup efforts for a jet fuel leak that hit Albuquerque’s water supply.
Infrastructure Bill Negotiators Miss Their Latest Deadline As Talks Stall
Concerns are increasing that the bipartisan deal could collapse as senators start publicly pointing fingers over key disagreements about the package.
Senators Push Becerra For Cheap Canadian-Sourced Prescription Drugs
A bipartisan group is pushing Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to allow imports of cheaper prescription drugs from Canada. Stat, meanwhile, reports on generic manufacturing plant closures’ impact on the Biden administration’s effort to boost drug supplies.
Overdose-Reverser Narcan Used Over 4,200 Times In San Francisco In 2021
From January to June, 344 people died of overdoses in San Francisco, but medical attempts to reverse overdoses by administering Narcan happened thousands of times. Separately, reports say several highly potent synthetic opioids have shown up in Toronto’s street drug supply.
60% Of Covid Cases Were Unreported As Of March, Study Suggests
The case count is probably higher now, but not too much higher because vaccines have rolled out, said the lead author of the study at the University of Washington. Other news is on covid transmission during wildfires, how hospitals are coping with the covid surge and more.
Missouri Sues To Stop St. Louis’ New Mask Mandate
Missouri’s attorney general is targeting St. Louis’ newly reinstated mandate that everyone over 5 wear masks in indoor public places and public transport, saying it’s “arbitrary and capricious.” Masking rules in Georgia, Oregon and nine western Washington counties are also in the news — as is possible revised guidance from the federal government.