Latest KFF Health News Stories
HHS Spending Bill Moves Forward, Abortion-Ban Amendments Left Behind
The Department of Health and Human Services spending bill was advanced by House Democrats, excluding the Hyde Amendment to ban federal funding for abortions. Meanwhile, three senators promote a Medicaid-like plan to cover states that refused expansion while Democrats finalize a spending bill that would include Medicare dollars.
Weary Health Workers Face Yet Another Wave Of Covid Hospitalizations
As every state experiences a spike in new covid cases, driven in large part from the delta variant, some hot spots are already seeing increased hospitalizations that match or exceed the winter surge.
White House Tone Shifts Over Politicization Of Vaccine Campaigns
The Biden administration is increasingly critical of lawmakers who aren’t helping to encourage covid shots. And Dr. Anthony Fauci voiced horror over celebrations at a conservative gathering in relation to the U.S. falling short of vaccination goals.
J&J Vaccine Gets Additional Warning For Neurological Syndrome Risk
Guillain-Barré syndrome is rare in the general population, and most people eventually recover. As some reports link cases to side effects from Johnson & Johnson’s covid vaccine, the FDA is adding a warning to the shot label.
WHO Says Rich Countries Shouldn’t Think Of Booster Shots, Donate Instead
The World Health Organization pushed back on efforts by Pfizer and other vaccine makers to promote covid booster shots. The organization also warned against mixing and matching vaccine types and confirms protections vaccines offer against the delta variant. Israel, meanwhile, started giving third shots to vulnerable patients.
Booster Debate Continues After Pfizer Meets With US Officials
After the Monday meeting, U.S. officials said more data is needed and reiterated that those who are fully vaccinated do not need a booster, at least not yet.
Survey Finds 25% Of Nursing Homes Could Shutter In Next Year
And other news on aging and nursing homes comes out of Ohio, New York, Florida and Washington.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Kids’ Hearts Need To Be Checked; How Did Deadly Foreign Bacteria Make It To US?
Editorial writers take on these various public health topics.
Essential Workers’ Covid Bonus Pay Varied Widely Across US
Among states that offered federal covid relief to workers, decisions over how much money and who got it were very different place to place, the AP reports. Eviction protections, West Virginia surgical residencies and illegal pot farms in California are also in the news.
Experts Worry As Fans Abandon Covid Safety Rules At Euro Soccer Final
Weak covid precautions among unmasked fans in the Euro soccer final have dismayed experts. Separately, the G-20 warns of rising covid variant infections, but data from the U.K. and Israel says the U.S. is well placed to avoid the worst effects from delta covid.
Different Takes: How To Convince Gen Z To Get Vaccinated; Is A Booster Shot Needed?
Opinion writers take on these covid and vaccine issues.
Rising Gun Violence And Pandemic Drive First-Time Gun Buying
And President Joe Biden will meet with key law enforcement leaders from across the country to try to reduce crime rates. Meanwhile, The Washington Post discusses surging gun purchases, while the AP News reports that grief counselors are in short supply even as violent crime spikes up.
Psychotic Episodes Linked To Strong Weed In Young Users
Reports say high-potency marijuana is linked to various medical risks, particularly for young users. Meanwhile, the CDC warns of the unusual spread of Respiratory Syncytial Virus — or RSV — in summer, noting it’s affecting young children and infants in southern states.
Health Alert Issued For Respiratory Problems From Florida’s Red Tide
Health officials in the Tampa Bay area are advising people avoid red algal blooms affecting the ocean and marine life. People suffering asthma or or other lung diseases are particularly at risk. Separate reports cover the deadly Northwest heat wave and drought.
Court Allows Kentucky To Ration Hepatitis C Treatment Among Prisoners
The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision allowing the Kentucky Department of Corrections to deny the expensive treatment was split 2-1. Mylan Pharmaceuticals, experimental gene therapy and Martin Shkreli are also in the news.
Regional Health Care Officials Struggle With Covid, Mental Health, Staff Safety
Reports say Baltimore County mobile teams failed to respond to over half of mental health crisis calls. Covid responses and North Carolina’s health leader’s plans, potential health staff whistleblowing, earthquake response upgrades and more are also in the news.
Democrats Coalescing Around Strategies To Bridge Medicaid Gaps
Politico reports on three options Democrats are considering to try to increase Medicaid coverage in states that refuse to expand the program. In other Medicaid news, the Supreme Court ends the latest term without taking up legal challenges related to work requirements.
Big Opioid Trial Nears A Close; Overdoses ‘Seem To Hit Everyone’ In Georgia
The trial in West Virginia against three opioid distributors may be winding down earlier than expected, while officials in Parkersburg, West Virginia aim for a moratorium on drug treatment facilities. News reports also cover opioid overdoses on the rise in Georgia and latest thinking on alcohol abuse treatment.
States Impose Abortion Limits In Record Numbers This Year
An analysis shows more abortion restrictions have been passed in 2021 than in any previous year–including one in Texas where citizens, not the state, will enforce the new law. And Democratic lawmakers are taking aim at the restrictions with a new House spending bill.