Latest KFF Health News Stories
Health Care In 2022 Will Cost You 6.5% More Than This Year
The annual cost growth is above figures for the period 2017 to 2020, and will hit as people seek care they delayed during the pandemic. Meanwhile, UnitedHealthcare’s plans to scrutinize and retroactively deny some emergency care claims cause controversy.
Appeals Court Blocks Missouri’s Abortion Ban
The law would have banned abortions after eight weeks of pregnancy and also specified that abortions could not be performed solely on the fear that a fetus might have Down syndrome.
CMS Ups Medicare Payments For At-Home Vaccinations
To increase vaccine incentives and availability, Medicare will now pay providers $75 per at-home vaccination — almost double the previous $40 payment. Other Medicare news is on dental services and the big price tag of the newly approved Alzheimer’s drug.
Hyde Amendment, Opioids Divide Senators In Health Budget Hearing
Those were two of the issues on which Democrats and Republicans on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies from the two parties did not agree while considering the HHS spending plan for fiscal 2022.
Biden Administration Buying Millions Of Merck’s Experimental Covid Pills
Molnupiravir is taken orally every 12 hours for five days; a course consists of 10 pills. The federal government will spend about $1.2 billion to buy 1.7 million courses of the drug, which has not been approved but shows promise for newly diagnosed, non-hospitalized covid patients.
Covid Variants An Increasing Risk For Unvaccinated, Says Surgeon General
Despite lower reported covid cases, the U.S. Surgeon General warns it’s not time to “let your guard down.” Dr. Anthony Fauci has also urged more Americans to get vaccinated in the light of the delta covid variant. Reports say hospitalizations are on the rise in some places.
Race To Vaccinate More Urgent Than Ever, Experts Say
“The problem with boosters is, we’ll always be at least six months behind the curve,” Dr. Jonathan Javitt, CEO of NRx pharmaceutical company and adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, told Fox News.
Nobel-Winning Biologist Backpedals Slightly On Covid Lab-Leak Theory
Professor David Baltimore had been one of the most prominent figures driving the lab-escape theory for the source of covid. Meanwhile, Dr. Anthony Fauci calls out conspiracy theory-based attacks on him as “preposterous” and “painfully ridiculous.”
Seattle Is First Big City To Fully Vaccinate 70% Of Eligible Residents
Meanwhile, San Francisco has one of California’s highest rates of vaccination, with 72% of residents having received at least one dose.
OSHA To Apply Long-Anticipated Covid Safety Rules Only To Health Sector
The new mandatory workplace rules for health care settings are expected to be announced today, Politico reports. Unions had pushed the Biden administration to include more businesses. Separately, the White House tells government agencies that federal workers shouldn’t “generally” require vaccines to work on-site.
US Buys 500 Million Covid Vaccine Doses To Distribute Globally
Pfizer confirmed the deal for its shot — sold at a not-for-profit price — which President Joe Biden will announce during this week’s G7 summit. It’s expected that 200 million doses will be distributed this year through COVAX and 300 million next year.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages discuss these various public health topics.
Colorado Aims At Cutting Health Care Costs 15% With New Reforms
Colorado lawmakers are now requiring private insurers to offer plans that cut costs. Meanwhile, Philly’s “Naked Bike Ride” will this year require masks, and a blue-green algae bloom prompts a health alert in Orange County.
UN Says It’s Time To End AIDS, Especially Since Covid Damaged Efforts
The United Nations issued a proclamation declaring the need for urgent action to end AIDS by 2030. In other news, the U.K. is sending military backup to hospitals stressed by covid surges, and E.U. lawmakers OK a type of digital vaccine passport for tourists.
Different Takes: Steps The G7 Must Take To End The Pandemic; Tactics To Fight Vaccine Hesitancy
Opinion writers tackle these covid and vaccine issues.
Perspectives: Is Pricey Alzheimer’s Drug Worth It?
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Biogen Alzheimer’s Drug Approval Prompts FDA Expert To Resign
An agency advisory committee recommended against the Food and Drug Administration approving Aduhelm, and one of its expert members has since resigned. More controversy about the drug’s approval is reported in CNBC, Stat, Axios, The Baltimore Sun and Fox News.
Diabetes Plus Sleeping Badly Linked To Premature Deaths In Study
People with diabetes and sleep problems are 87% more likely to die during the next nine years than people without either issue, according to new research. Also in the news: an E. coli outbreak; gut bacteria and heart health; NFL funding of cannabis research; and more.
New Migraine Drug Will ‘Change The Paradigm’ Of Treatment, Says CEO
Nurtec ODT, recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration, is reported on by CNBC. In other news, a Louisiana law bans insurer “white bagging” (bypassing hospital pharmacies), and the FDA also approves a new smallpox treatment, Tembexa.