Latest KFF Health News Stories
Health Care Leaders Beg For Anti-Gun Violence Funding
In a letter, leaders from over a dozen health systems urged Congress to support President Joe Biden’s $5 billion proposition for anti-gun violence programs. Meanwhile, a study links superbugs in the emergency department with patients arriving by ambulance.
Cigna Offers Cash To Get Patients To Switch From Costly Biological Drugs
The insurer gives members a $500 prepaid debit card when they switch to biosimilar versions of two popular biological drugs. Also, another insurer, Anthem, is still weighing how it will handle claims for a new expensive drug to treat some Alzheimer’s patients.
Drug Companies, States Reach $26 Billion Opioid Settlement
Drug wholesalers McKesson, AmerisourceBergen and Cardinal Health will pay $21 billion in compensation over 18 years as part of the deal, and Johnson & Johnson will pay up to $5 billion over nine years and exit the opioid business. Outlets report on how much money some states may get.
Breakthrough Covid Cases Remain Rare But, Inevitably, Are Happening
The AP says that when people who have had covid vaccines test positive for the virus, it is causing alarm and confusion, but that the situation remains rare. Reports from New Jersey say nearly 50 fully vaxxed people have died from covid, all of them over 50.
Covid’s Grip On Hospitals, Health Workers Shows No Sign Of Relenting
Medical personnel worry about whether they’ll be able to handle another rock-bottom as covid hospitalizations increase again. Meanwhile, doctor visits haven’t fully rebounded to pre-pandemic levels; at Novartis, cancer diagnoses are still 30% to 40% lower than pre-covid-19 levels.
With Supporters Dying, Republicans Swing To Supporting Covid Vaccines
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis joined other Republican leaders with surprisingly pro-vax statements, saying the “vaccines are saving lives. They are reducing mortality.” News outlets cover the sudden Republican swing to supporting vaccines, and reasons why.
Mandatory Covid Shots Supported By American Hospital Association
The country’s largest hospital association said that to protect “all patients, communities and personnel,” all health workers should be vaccinated against covid. Separately, New Jersey’s hospital system is threatening to fire unvaccinated employees, prompting a backlash.
Virus Cases Surge Across US, Nearly Tripling Over 2 Weeks
The AP reports how the surge of vaccine misinformation is driving a huge uptick in covid cases, nearly tripling the number over a two-week period. Outlets across the country report on covid clusters, persistent case count growth and “alarming” spikes in covid cases.
Biden Sets Out Rough Timeline For Starting Kids’ Vaccinations
President Joe Biden, speaking at a town hall event in Cincinnati, sketched a rough timeline for starting covid vaccinations in children under 12. He didn’t promise specific dates but noted he was following scientists’ advice and suggested that vaccinations may start at the beginning of the school year.
Unvaxxed Kids Likely Will Be Asked To Mask-Up In School This Fall, Biden Says
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is likely to advise unvaccinated youngsters and everyone under the age of 12 that they’ll need to wear masks when they return to school, President Joe Biden said yesterday. He noted it was a “community responsibility” issue and would be hard to enforce.
Vaccine Myths And Truths: Biden Tackles Low Uptake At Town Hall
At a Cincinnati town hall event, President Joe Biden tried to drive enthusiasm for getting a covid shot, noting it was “gigantically important” for beating the pandemic. News outlets analyze some of his pro-vax statements, and cover the “ridiculous” vaccine myths that are contributing to low uptake.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: CDC Needs New Way To Provide Information; Climate Change Causing Health Issues
Editorial writers tackle these public health issues.
How Drug Pricing Could Save The Infrastructure Deal
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Perspectives: The Democratic Majority Is Riding On The Infrastructure Bill
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Different Takes: PCPs Vital In Vaccination Effort; Employers Have Authority To Mandate Vaccination
Opinion writers explore these covid and vaccine topics.
New York City’s Air ‘Unhealthy’ As Western Wildfire Smoke Blows Across Entire US
Fires in 13 western states created a haze of smoke particles that blew as far east as New York City, leading to polluted air that some local reports called “as thick as winter fog.” The air quality index in the city reached levels deemed “unhealthy” by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Official: Olympic Games Could Still Be Canceled If Covid Surges
In a news conference Tuesday, Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto admitted there is a possibility the Games could be yet canceled because of the unpredictability of covid. WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the risk of the Games spreading the virus was inevitable.
Canada Clarifies Border Opening Rules: Negative PCR Tests Still Required
Though Canada is opening its borders to fully vaccinated Americans Aug. 9, proof of a negative PCR test result is still needed to enter the country — even for Canadians coming from the U.S. Meanwhile, India’s true covid death toll may be around 4 million — 10 times the official count.
Study: Hospitals Still Hold The Cards In Pricing Discussions With Big Employers
A study in the American Journal of Managed Care says hospitals still wield considerable market power when it comes to self-insured employers and negotiations over billing. Hospital pricing, covid medical bills, New York hospital mergers and more are also in the news.