Latest KFF Health News Stories
ICE Will No Longer Jail Pregnant And Post-Partum Migrants
The Biden administration is ending the Trump-era policy. Also, the White House is urged to start preparing for the next pandemic. Other health policy news from federal agencies comes out of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Environmental Protection Agency.
FDA May Probe Its Own Approval Of Alzheimer’s Drug
The acting head of the Food and Drug Administration is, very unusually, calling for an investigation into her own agency’s controversial approval of Biogen’s Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm. Staff contacts with the drugmaker are said to be of particular concern.
Biden Issues Orders On Drug Prices, Billing And Hospital Mergers
The White House is targeting hospital competition and health cost transparency in its latest executive orders.
Experts Down Play Lab-Leak Theory Amid Covid Origins Debate
Bat scientists in particular are saying no one may accurately pin down the origin of the novel coronavirus. In other covid developments: breathalyzer test may be in the works, though, making it easier to detect it. And a worrying report notes a British woman died infected with two variants.
CDC Urges Full Reopening For Schools, Says Vaccinated Can Forgo Masks
Axios reports that roughly half of U.S. states don’t intend to enforce mask policies in schools, while 10 states will mandate student mask-wearing, regardless of vaccination status.
Covid Flares Across US: If Your Local Vaccine Rate Is Low, It’s Worse
NPR reports the overall uptick in virus cases in the U.S., particularly in areas where vaccine uptake is low. CNN quotes an expert’s warning of a “surprising amount” of deaths due soon. Other news outlets cover local covid spikes across the country.
White House Slams Efforts In Some Red States To Undermine Vaccine Outreach
As the remaining unvaccinated Americans become more entrenched — whether due to politics, age or or income status — the Biden administration is hitting an outreach wall.
Pfizer Pushing Ahead With Vaccine Booster Plans, Meets Health Officials
Pfizer will meet with U.S. health officials today to discuss authorizing a third dose of its covid vaccine, and Dr. Anthony Fauci notes the company apologized for not warning ahead of its plans. Meanwhile experts downplay full approval of covid vaccines.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Different Takes: What Defines A Pandemic?; Ways To Get The Vaccine To The Most Vulnerable
Opinion writers weigh in on pandemics, vaccines and masks.
Editorial pages tackle these public health issues.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on “Patient Zero,” data harvesting, environmental health, CC Sabathia and more.
Africa’s Covid Cases Jump 20% In One Week, Worse Still Expected
The World Health Organization says a third wave of covid hitting Africa will be the worst yet for the continent. In other news, Oxfam says 11 people die of hunger every minute around the world, and outlets cover the pope’s recovery from surgery.
Similar Dog Disease May Help Humans Tackle Multiple Sclerosis
Other reports cover the baffling rise of respiratory syncytial virus — usually a winter issue; an expanded recall of Tyson Foods chicken over listeria fears; weight training and weight control; and Naomi Osaka’s pressure to reveal her mental health struggle.
World’s Need For Covid Swabs Slumps, So A Maine Factory Furloughs
In other news, opioid-related deaths are reportedly jumping by the hundreds as a suspected bad batch of fentanyl seems partly to blame; mosquito-control efforts ramp up in Texas to beat West Nile virus; and families used to fostering extend their help to migrant kids.
Flu Vaccines Using Moderna’s MRNA Technology Enter Trials
The first participants in a Phase 1/2 study have already had mRNA-1010 shots, targeting some seasonal flu variants. Stock buybacks, extended shelf life for glaucoma meds, and Philip Morris buying a U.K. asthma drug company are also in the news.
The Next Pandemic May Find US Hospitals Inadequately Prepared
A 10-year analysis of how hospitals are set up to deal with pandemics and mass casualty events says that the U.S. may not be ready for the next catastrophe. Separately, 32 experts from 17 nations released guidelines for how health leaders can prepare.
FDA Narrows Prescribing Guidance For Controversial Alzheimer’s Drug
After fierce criticism of its accelerated approval for Biogen’s pricey Alzheimer’s medication Aduhelm, the Food and Drug Administration is reversing its broad recommendation and now saying the treatment should only be prescribed to patients with milder symptoms.
Genes May Influence Who Gets Away With A Light Covid Infection
Stat and USA Today cover research into how people’s genes influence how badly they react to a covid infection, and maybe how susceptible they are to catching it. Other reports cover the low death risk in children and how high heart rate persists after covid.
Dangerous Heat Wave To Roll Over Western US This Weekend
As Western states ready themselves for more scorching heat — Death Valley may hit a record 131 degrees Sunday — the death toll from the previous high temperature period is rising. Oregon’s new worker-heat rules might be the nation’s most protective.