Latest KFF Health News Stories
Arkansas Governor Blames Myth-Spreading For Low Vaccine Uptake
Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson said resistance to covid shots has “hardened” in some areas, even as cases of delta covid are soaring in states like Arkansas — with new daily cases topping 2,000 for the first time since February. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is also in the news.
US Purchases Another 200 Million Pfizer Covid Shots
The extra shots will arrive between October this year and April next year — around the same time it’s expected that younger kids will be approved for the Pfizer vaccine. Separately, reports say Iowa may have to dispose of nearly 40,000 unused covid vaccine doses over the next six weeks as public demand for the vaccine has stalled below supply levels.
Mask Mandate Back In Effect In St. Louis; Debate Flares In Other Areas
Starting today, masks are once again mandatory in indoor public places and on public transportation, no matter vaccination status. Wearing masks outdoors is encouraged, St. Louis County officials said.
As Delta Surges, So Does Frustration Over Vaccine Holdouts
As projections forecast that a fourth wave of covid cases in the U.S. could last months, Republican Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey expressed a growing, but touchy sentiment: “It’s time to start blaming the unvaccinated folks, not the regular folks. It’s the unvaccinated folks that are letting us down.” And another worrying trend: while infections surge again, some states are trimming their covid reporting.
Cruise Ships Can’t Enforce Covid Safety Rules In Florida, Court Decides
Judges for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit in Atlanta reversed course Friday, siding with Florida and banning mandated covid restrictions on cruises sailing from Florida. A court decision just six days previously had stated the opposite, and no explanation was made for the change.
‘Two Kinds Of America’: Fauci Urges Leaders To Reach Out To Unvaccinated
Dangerous covid trends in many regions of the U.S. “is an issue predominantly among the unvaccinated,” Dr. Anthony Fauci said in a Sunday morning interview, “which is the reason why we’re out there, practically pleading with the unvaccinated people to go out and get vaccinated,”
CDC Weighs Whether It’s Time To Tell Vaccinated To Mask Back Up
Federal health officials are actively considering whether to again revise guidance on face coverings, as covid cases rapidly rise. And some experts believe that the quality of masks needs to be upgraded, too.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Antiviral Pills Being Tested To Treat Covid; Should Religious Exemptions Be Eliminated?
Opinion writers investigate these covid and vaccine topics.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s picks include stories on covid, diabetes, the drug epidemic, mental illness, gut microbes, a 101-year-old pediatrician and more.
Unlocked UK’s Return To ‘Normal’ Marred As Covid Exposure Alerts Soar
Hundreds of thousands of U.K. citizens are receiving alerts from the official covid app recommending they socially isolate after a covid exposure — a “pingdemic” that’s affecting business and services. Italy, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Russia and Chile are also in the news.
Perspectives: New Relief For Migraines; Cosmetic Surgery Increases During Covid
Editorial writers explore these public health issues.
Olympics Covid Surge Hits Highest Daily Case Total As Games Open
Officials said Friday that 19 new cases of covid hit Games athletes, support staff and media — the largest one-day case total yet. Meanwhile, at least 100 U.S. athletes attending the Olympics remain unvaccinated, and a charter flight may have caused a surge on the Czech team.
Florida, DC and Georgia Lead US In New HIV Infections
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show Florida is the state with the most new cases of HIV from 2015-2019, but the District of Columbia and Georgia have a higher infection rate. Child marriages, covid relief fund spending, food access and more are also in the news.
Deadly Heat Wave Causes Outbreak Of Vibriosis In Oysters, Other Shellfish
Meanwhile, another heat wave will hit most of the contiguous United States next week, with highs running 10 to 15 degrees above average. When combined with humidity, it will feel like it’s in the triple digits for millions.
For First Time, Drug-Resistant Fungus Has Spread In Health Care Facilities
The CDC has reported on five cases of the dangerous Candida auris fungus that were resistant to all drugs. Three cases were found in Washington, D.C., and two were in Texas. In both locations, the cases were clustered within facilities, which were not identified.
Medical Debt Soars To $140B; States Without Medicaid Expansion Hit Hard
The debt estimate, from a study in JAMA, was up from $81 billion in 2016. Other reports look at the cost of prescription medicine and contraception.
Telemedicine Use, Popular During Height Of Pandemic, Is Tapering Off
Nearly one-quarter of American adults had a virtual doctor appointment within the past month, according to the latest Census Bureau survey. But that’s down dramatically from 69% in April 2020. Also in industry news, insurers are complaining about covid testing lab fees and Turquoise Health gets new funding to expand its work on hospital price transparency.
Missouri Supreme Court Orders State To Begin Medicaid Expansion
State voters approved expanding coverage of Medicaid, the federal-state program for low-income residents, but the governor refused to implement the program because lawmakers did not appropriate funding. The court rejected his arguments.
Philadelphia District Attorney Calls Opioid Settlement A ‘Sellout’
District Attorney Larry Krasner has filed a lawsuit to try to prevent the city from being bound by the terms of the recent $26 billion opioid settlement, worried Philadelphia would get just a fraction of the damages. Separately, the American Medical Association is asking for changes to opioid prescribing guidelines.