Latest KFF Health News Stories
White House Poised To Begin Overseas Vaccine Donations
Unused doses of covid vaccines stored in the U.S. will soon be heading to nations experiencing vaccine shortages as the Biden administration finalizes its plans for sharing. Meanwhile, the European Union moves away from vaccine IP waivers.
FDA Asks J&J, AstraZeneca For Safety Review After Plant Contamination
The Food and Drug Administration says it can’t rule out a low-level risk of cross-contamination between the two vaccines manufactured by contractor Emergent BioSolutions. In other vaccine news from the Biden administration: the White House science adviser looks to the next pandemic’s salvation and a CDC decision hamstrings investigations of breakthrough infections.
New US Covid Infections At Lowest Level Since Pandemic Began
Florida’s hospitalizations are at the lowest point in a year, Iowa reports fewer than 100 new cases per day, and the Navajo Nation reports no additional deaths against a broader background of falling covid numbers across the country.
Biden Rallies Drive To Get Shots In 70% Of American Arms By July 4
Among the outside-the-box measures that are part of the White House’s “month of action”: Anheuser-Busch announced its “biggest beer giveaway ever” if Americans reach the goal.
More States Offer Shot Incentives Though Some Show Mixed Results
Money and prizes are offered up to residents in West Virginia and Ohio who get vaccinated, while Maine ends its current program after only 15% of eligible residents claimed their reward.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: NIH Needed in Psychedelic Medicine Research; Texas Bill Is A Win For New Moms
Editorial pages weigh in on these public health issues.
Perspectives: While You Were Distracted, Big Pharma Raised Prices
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Different Takes: A Kid’s Opinion On The Vaccine; Will Pharma Be Forced To Share Secrets?
Opinion writers tackle these covid vaccine issues.
Report: AbbVie Raised Prices, Then Funded Ads Attacking Drug-Cost Legislation
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Out-Of-State People Seeking Abortions Bump Kansas’ 2020 Numbers
There were 9.1% more abortions in Kansas in 2020 than 2019, partly because patients from Oklahoma, Texas and elsewhere outnumbered local patients for the first time. Other news covers Florida’s anti-trans law, Oklahoma’s Medicaid system and more.
UK’s Covid Daily Death Count Was Zero For First Time Since July 2020
The bank holiday weekend may have played a part in Tuesday’s data, but it’s the first zero-death day in almost a year. Separately, the World Health Organization approved the Sinovac vaccine for emergency use and Japan makes vaccination progress before the Olympics.
Senators Pursue Funding Boost To Tackle Mental Health Emergencies
A bipartisan bill seeks to move mental health crisis responses away from police. Meanwhile, debate about mental health continues after Naomi Osaka quit the French Open, and the Washington Football Team has hired its first full-time psychologist.
Review Of $2.1 Billion J&J Baby Powder Payout Ruled Out By Supreme Court
Meanwhile, among other news reports say regular childhood ailments have been kept at bay by covid hygiene protocols, one flu subtype is getting easier to vaccinate against and ticks bearing Lyme disease are found flourishing on the California coast.
Anesthesia Provider Will Pay $260K To Settle ‘Surprise Billing’ Claims
Patients in Massachusetts didn’t know that South Shore Anesthesia Associates was out of network until they received a bill, the Boston Globe reported. News is also on Quorum Health, QHR Health, Grant Avenue Capital, AHIP, Epic Systems Corp., CVS and Amazon Web Services.
JAMA Editor Quits After Backlash
Dr. Howard Bauchner has been on administrative leave since March while the AMA investigated the origins of a podcast and related tweet that said no physicians are racist. “Although I did not write or even see the tweet, or create the podcast, as editor in chief, I am ultimately responsible for them,” Bauchner said in a statement.
McKinsey’s Role In Opioid Crisis Targeted In NYC Lawsuit
In other news, lower demand for covid tests hits profits at Abbott; increasing hopes that new gene therapy methods will help more diseases; and new science explains how LSD interacts with the brain.
Obamacare Prices Continue To Slide As ACA’s Big Day Looms In Supreme Court
A new analysis shows that the cost of plans sold on marketplaces has declined for a third year, Stateline reports. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court begins the last month of its current term with several major cases still to be decided, including a challenge to the Affordable Care Act.
A Cure For Covid May Come Sooner Than You Think
While most of the world’s attention is focused on getting vaccines to more people, scientists are scrambling to find a cure. PBS NewsHour takes a deeper look. Also, news on covid reinfections, blood donations and long covid in children.
Urgency Of Calls On US To Share Vaccine Stock Ramps Up
As the world waits for details of the U.S. plan to share vaccine supplies with other countries, Secretary of State Antony Blinken says that distribution will start soon. AP reports on a debate in the administration about sharing with the neediest nations or with U.S. allies.