Latest KFF Health News Stories
Iowa Shifts Mental Health Care Funding To State In Tax Rearrangement
Iowa Democrats argue that the move, part of a large tax cut, doesn’t guarantee the state will properly fund mental health care services in the future. Meanwhile, North Carolina lawmakers pursue non-police responses to mental health crises, and San Francisco’s homeless mental health team gets to work.
Despite Pandemic, Hospital Group Still Aggressively Billing Patients: Report
A CNN investigation found that Community Health Systems has filed at least 19,000 lawsuits over allegedly unpaid medical bills since March 2020. One expert told CNN that although CHS is hardly the only hospital group to sue patients during the pandemic, its aggressive strategy stands out.
Six Drugmakers Warned To Reinstate 340B Discounts Or Face Steep Fines
The Health Resources and Services Administration sent letters to AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi and United Therapeutics. They could face a $5,000 penalty for every violation.
Ohio’s $1 Million Covid Vaccine Lottery Pays Off: A Boost In Uptake
Meanwhile, Vermont declares an “EMS Week” in appreciation of emergency responders and to promote vaccine uptake; rural North Florida is reported to have low vaccination rates; and reports say the reason many Americans are vaccine-hesitant is because they’ve heard inaccurate side-effect stories.
Michigan’s Medicaid Premiums Propel Healthier People To Drop Out
Researchers find that new monthly premiums charged by Michigan to some of its Medicaid enrollees prompted healthier people to leave the program, which could result in problems for managed care programs or result in state spending at hospitals who treat the uninsured patients.
Unmasking Begins To Happen Across New York And New Jersey, With Caveats
New York officials say masks will be required for unvaccinated people and will be required on public transport and in schools, despite broader moves to unlock the state. Meanwhile, New Jersey’s Gov. Phil Murphy is refusing to lift the state’s indoor mask mandate.
‘Honor System’ Already Shows Cracks As More Businesses Drop Mask Rules
The mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, told CNN, “I say this respectfully to the CDC but we really need to get back to a point where it’s encouraging (people) to get vaccinated and more of that focus rather than celebrating our newfound freedoms, because the honor system just ain’t working here.”
ACA Could See Boost From Biden Administration Shift On Immigrant Insurance
On Friday, President Joe Biden reversed a Trump administration rule that would have rejected visas for applicants who couldn’t prove they can afford health insurance.
Deputy Director Anne Schuchat Stepping Down From CDC
Anne Schuchat’s retirement comes on the heels of another high-level departure at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nancy Messonnier, who led the agency’s response to the covid pandemic, is also leaving.
US Covid Infections Fall To Levels Not Seen Since Mid-September
While U.S. infections are down 50% from last month and Texas recorded zero daily deaths on Sunday, the news is not all good: Texas reported a spike in deaths a day later, and worries continue about the more infectious Indian variant which has now reached the U.S.
Supreme Court To Hear Mississippi Abortion Case That Challenges Roe V. Wade
The conservative-majority court will hear the case next term. Mississippi’s law banning most abortions after 15 weeks was blocked by lower courts, finding it in conflict with Roe v. Wade and subsequent abortion decisions.
Biden Ups Vaccine Donations To Other Nations, Will Include All Types
The White House is pledging an additional 20 million doses and will include Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson shots in the mix. Previously only AstraZeneca’s vaccine was announced, which is not yet approved in the U.S.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Cyclone Impacts Covid-Stricken India, Forcing Evacuations, Vaccine Pauses
Cyclone Tauktae has already killed six in Southern India and now threatens the western coast. The New York Times, meanwhile, reports on a thriving Indian black market for oxygen, medicines and other supplies.
Perspectives: What Will Be The Lasting Effects Of Covid?; Are Mandatory Vaccines On The Horizon?
Opinion writers weigh in on covid, vaccines and masking issues.
Viewpoints: How To Improve Technology In Health Care; Ways To Rebuild Doctor-Patient Trust
Editorial writers tackle these public health issues.
Study Shows Regular Aspirin Doses Are Safe, Can Prevent Heart Problems
A study in the New England Journal of Medicine examined thousands of heart disease patients and found that regular low-dose aspirin-taking was safe and can prevent further heart problems and strokes. Regular dose levels seem safe too, but many study participants quit taking the high doses.
Evacuations As Train With Hazardous Waste Derails, Catches Fire In Iowa
In other news, fresh produce is linked to an E.coli outbreak in Washington state; Georgia has a spate of fentanyl overdoses; Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will receive a bill cracking down on covid scam websites; and California lawmakers consider a bill to decriminalize psychedelic drugs.
HHS Redirects $2 Billion To Pay For Migrant Shelter Operations: Report
Politico reports that funds allocated to rebuild the national stockpile and to expanding national covid testing are being diverted by the Department of Health and Human Services to its massive efforts to house a growing number of unaccompanied minors at the Southern border.
Amazon Will Expand Its WorkingWell Program To All US Workers In 2021
The program provides employees with physical, mental and nutritional support. Also in the news: telehealth, children’s mental health, Leapfrog and parking fees for cancer patients.