Latest KFF Health News Stories
Different Takes: Are Vaccine Mandates Needed In U.S.?; Is The Fourth Wave Happening Or Not?
Opinion writers weigh in on Covid and vaccine news.
Research Roundup: Covid; Suicide; Cocoa’s Effect On Vascular Function; Liver Transplantation
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Viewpoints: What Supports Do Frontline Workers Need? Could Psychedelics Be A New Therapeutic?
Editorial pages take on these public health issues.
More States Make Legal Moves To Restrict Transgender Rights
As the NCAA rattles its saber in warning about anti-trans discrimination, Texas, Florida and West Virginia made legal moves to limit the rights of trans children to play sports. Arizona, meanwhile, plans laws to further restrict what can be taught in sex ed.
States Push To Reopen Businesses And Schools
Officials in Nevada want Las Vegas back to normal by June 1, and California’s governor urges all school systems to open schools again. Meanwhile, a Florida county wants to do away with the requirement that masks be worn inside public places.
India Grapples With Serious Covid Problem
More than a dozen hotels and wedding banquet halls were ordered to be converted into covid-19 centers attached to hospitals as India goes past 14 million covid cases. In other global news, Germany will prosecute vaccine line-jumpers, and the E.U. shifts its efforts to the Pfizer vaccine.
Hospitals Again Struggling With Influx Of Covid Patients
Michigan and Oregon hospitals are hit hard. In other health care industry news, Cleveland’s University Hospitals made as much money last year as the year before, Massachusetts to “crack down” on high-cost hospitals and a VA hospital wastes $172,000 in stents.
Trial Shows Psychedelic Drug As Good As Common Antidepressant
A study in London compared psilocybin and escitalopram (Lexapro) and found them equivalent for treating depression. In other research news, snoring is linked to learning difficulties for kids, and DDT is found to impact another generation’s health.
Biden Proposes Repeal Of Trump’s Abortion ‘Gag-Rule’ Regulation
The Biden administration proposed the repeal of Trump-era regulations barring abortion referrals and making other changes intended to evict Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers from the federal family planning program, Title X.
FDA Works On New Drug-Approval Rules
The Food and Drug Administration is urged to work up policies for drugs withdrawn after being deemed unsafe or ineffective. It also is working on new rules for approving old drugs in order to replace the unsuccessful Unapproved Drug Initiative.
Biden Signs Extension That Puts Off Medicare Funding Cuts
Under sequestration, the recent stimulus bill would have triggered budget reductions to Medicare as well as other social safety net programs. This bill pushes such cuts off until at least the end of the year. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services also announces hospital pricing transparency policies.
When Will Kids Start Getting Vaccinated? Pfizer Trials Enroll Younger Subjects
As clinical testing for Pfizer’s covid vaccine enrolls children as young as 6 months old, trials at Stanford Medicine and Children’s Mercy are in the news.
‘Breakthrough’ Covid Cases In Already-Vaccinated Are As Expected
The CDC notes that nearly 6,000 covid ‘breakthrough’ infections are proof that vaccinations do work, but not with 100% efficiency. Meanwhile, reports say 300 million vaccine doses could be in the US by July, sparking hoarding worries.
On First Day, FEMA Hotline Swamped With 1M Calls Seeking Funeral Help
Adding to the stress for some applicants, a prerecorded message on the hotline says that information they provide may be shared with the Department of Homeland Security.
Covid Surges, Variants Spread, But States Shrug At Shutdowns
As North Dakota notes its covid variant case count has doubled this month, and the unexpected rise of infections in Maine’s small towns confounds expectations, the AP reports that more state shutdowns to prevent the virus spreading are unlikely.
Study Links Filling Aircraft Middle Seats With Higher Covid Risk
Keeping those seats empty more than halves the risk of covid exposure. Separately, a study links inactivity with an increased risk of covid death, and worries rise that pandemic loneliness is increasing risks to health and lifespans.
How The J&J Pause Affects The Total Vaccination Effort
The suspension of the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine slows down the already-slow vaccination efforts, and some state officials worry it will add to vaccine hesitancy. The Biden administration said it is accelerating use of other vaccines.
Local Disruptions From Johnson & Johnson Halt ‘Minimal’
News outlets in North Carolina, California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Florida and Texas report on the impact of temporarily halting the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
J&J Vaccine In Limbo As Deadlocked CDC Panel Delays Vote
The Johnson & Johnson covid vaccine pause will likely last at least another week after the vaccine experts that advise the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention delayed any decision. Many members said they need more information and data to assess safety protocols.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.