Latest KFF Health News Stories
Students More Interested In Public Health; Nursing Shortages Persist
It’s being dubbed the “Fauci Effect:” more students are looking at public health careers. In other health personnel news, some hospitals are having to pay a premium for registered nurses amidst the national worker shortage.
Drug Makers Sue Government Over Discount Cards And Coupons
A look at Amazon’s possible move into pharmacies, while Google makes a clear move into medical records with a deal with HCA. And the latest Bill of the Month.
Progressive And Centrist Democrats Pushing Biden To Expand Medicare
More than 150 House Democrats are working together to urge the president to prioritize lowering the eligibility age for Medicare to 60 from 65 and expanding benefits to to cover dental, vision and hearing services. Also in the news, the pandemic creates concerns about funding the Medicare trust fund, and federal officials bust up a scam that billed millions in bogus Medicare claims.
Medicaid Rolls Grow By 8.5 Million People During Pandemic
An analysis by Georgetown University researchers shows a 17% increase in enrollment. Meanwhile, Texas lawmakers fail to advance bipartisan bills that would have expanded Medicaid coverage for new moms and made it easier for low-income children to stay in the program.
Sen. Murray, Rep. Pallone Launch Effort To Get Public Health Insurance Option
The two, who head key committees in Congress, are seeking input on how the government could craft a government-run health plan that would compete with private insurers. Republicans and the insurance industry oppose such an effort. Also on Capitol Hill, lawmakers are weighing new proposals on how the Department of Veterans Affairs should handle former service members’ health problems caused by toxic substances.
Long-Term Covid Symptoms Linked To Severity Of Infection
Even as reports show covid case numbers across the U.S. are in decline, a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention links the risk of long-term symptoms to more severe infections. Another study says even mild, asymptomatic cases are as infectious as severe ones.
Air Travel Is Back. Cruise Ships, Not So Much.
The cruise ship industry, still limited by CDC rules, is finding willing volunteers to test new health protocols. And the European Union and some Asian governments are still trying to develop a digital vaccine passport.
Covid Immunity May Last Years; Health Agencies Will Decide On Boosters
In a positive piece of news about covid, new studies of people who’ve been exposed to the virus point to “years”-long immunity. Simultaneously, debate about when and if booster vaccine shots will be given is in the news.
Law Firm With Ties To Anti-Vaxxer Groups Aids Opposition To Covid Shots
Lawyers from Siri & Glimstad — a New York firm — have been involved in a diverse campaign against compulsory immunizations to fight covid-19. Meanwhile, officials in North Dakota and Indiana question public health efforts to get people vaccinated. And misinformation about the shots proliferates.
Biden Demands More Intel Into Lab Vs. Animal Theories On Covid Origins
President Joe Biden ordered U.S. intelligence agencies to “redouble” investigations into the two most plausible causes of the coronavirus crisis — a “lab leak” in Wuhan, China or human contact with an infected animal — and deliver better information in 90 days.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Different Takes: Transplant Patients Still Fear Covid Risk; Nepal Needs US Help Acquiring Vaccines
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid, vaccine and mask issues.
Mystery ‘Smear Campaign’ Against Pfizer Vaccine Hits France
Attempts to “woo” social media influencers with payments to bad-mouth the Pfizer covid vaccine are investigated in France; Russia is suspected. Meanwhile the EU takes AstraZeneca to court over delayed deliveries and hackers release private patient data in New Zealand.
Viewpoints: Weight Loss Industry Ramping Back Up; Fixing The Broken Mental Health Care System
Editorial pages delve into these public health issues.
Massachusetts Healthiest State In Survey, Hawaii Drops To Second Place
Sharecare’s regular Community Well-Being Index, which surveys quality of life in all 50 states, has just been published for the last year. Reports also cover efforts to recall California’s governor, Mississippi’s last abortion clinic, Puerto Rico’s unlocking, a vaccine waste surge in Oregon and more.
Troubled California, Georgia Nursing Homes Escape Repercussions
An investigation in California finds nursing homes continued to operate even after the state denied licenses to the company that owns them. And reporters in Georgia detail how the state sent money to many nursing homes for doing well protecting residents from covid-19 while also fining them for safety violations. Also, a Connecticut task force calls for reform of nursing homes there.
Masks In Schools Remain A Flashpoint
The continued use of mask in schools, on school buses and in other places students congregate has become the latest divisive political issue.
Regulators Link Amazon’s Warehouse Work Pace To Injuries
Other public health news reports on lead pipe replacement, the cost of homeless camps, a CDC study of pond algae and garden fertilizer ingredients.
Dentists Faced Less Danger In Pandemic
In other news: rural hospital closing affects Black communities in the pandemic, unnecessary treatments and more on tocilizumab as a covid treatment.
Holdout Red States Resist Democrats’ Incentives To Expand Medicaid
The financial bonuses Congress offered 12 states that have not expanded Medicaid under the provisions of the Affordable Care Act appear to be having no effect. Wisconsin lawmakers turned down an extra $1 billion Tuesday. In one of those states, Missouri, lawmakers also are taking a hard line and have not continued a long-standing program to help finance the regular Medicaid program.