Latest KFF Health News Stories
Congressional Democrats Eye Medicare Eligibility Age, CRA
The Democrats may try to use the Congressional Review Act to overturn Trump-era Department of Health and Human Services rules. And proposed Medicare changes are also in the works.
White House Building A Covid Vaccine Trust Volunteer Network
As the Biden Administration tries to build up confidence in the covid shots, a survey shows that more Americans are willing to get vaccinated. The Wall Street Journal notes that the U.S. has no central database for immunizations. And the vaccine passport issue is getting more tangled.
Journalists Allowed Into Texas Migrant Facility Where Over 4,000 Shelter
The media spotlight is focused on the Biden administration’s immigrant policies as journalists enter an overcrowded government facility in Texas. Meanwhile, over 10% of roughly 750 unaccompanied minors have tested positive for coronavirus at a San Diego facility.
Loosening Covid Restrictions Hand Biden His First Surge
President Joe Biden and his administration must now cope with a dangerous spike in covid cases while many governors ignore his pleas for continued vigilance. Also, inside the White House pandemic briefings.
WHO Defends ‘First Start’ On Covid Origins; US, Other Nations Demand More Transparency
After days of leaks, the World Health Organization officially released its report Tuesday on the source of the covid-19 pandemic. Limited access to data from China is a key source of the dissatisfaction voiced by many countries, including the U.S.
Covid Vaccine Eligibility Coming To All Adults In Every State
New data suggest covid vaccine demand varies significantly from place to place, with rural areas showing more reluctance. But all 50 states are planning to open vaccine eligibility to anyone aged 16 and over soon.
Pfizer Says Its Vaccine Protects Kids 12 And Up
Pfizer claims its covid vaccine made with BioNTech is 100% effective for children as young as 12. Pfizer also said it will begin testing a freeze-dried version of its vaccine. In other vaccine news, Germany restricts the use of AstraZeneca’s covid vaccine.
Covid Surges Shift To Younger People, As Older Generation Is Vaccinated
As 26 states report an increase in covid numbers, the data suggests that the age of new covid patients is skewing lower. And some doctors report that many new patients are less sick. Meanwhile, worries deepen that covid variants may run rampant, and Florida’s fatality numbers may have been undercounted.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Should We Continue Masking Post Covid?; College Students Need Vaccine Priority
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid and vaccine issues.
Different Takes: Is Herd Immunity Attainable?; Texas Must Commit to Expanding Medicaid
Editorial writers tackle herd immunity, Texas Medicaid and mental health inequity.
Covid Cases Rise Globally, Particularly Where Few Are Vaccinated
Countries around the world are seeing significant increases in coronavirus cases, even as vaccine rollouts begin to take effect and some nations, like the UK, begin to unlock. Meanwhile a new variant emerging in India causes worries.
Judge Says New York Prisoners Must Be Offered Covid Vaccines
A judge rules that New York state must offer covid vaccines to its prisoners. In other news from across the country, Arizona’s Senate lifts its mask mandate and federal investigators flag payments to a California clinic that received $81 million under a relief program.
Child Behavioral Health Systems Stressed By Pandemic, Lockdowns
Reports in Modern Healthcare highlight how mental health services for children have been impacted by the pandemic. Meanwhile a new analysis of federal data shows that adolescents may be more likely than adults to suffer addiction to drugs, including prescription ones.
Hospitals See Opportunities in Covid Shots
Hospitals are reaching out to potential patients, especially among disadvantaged groups, via vaccines. Also, hospital recertification surveys begin again, health workers look back and malpractice premiums peak.
Black Americans More Likely To Be Admitted To Less Safe Hospitals
Meanwhile dialysis centers are touted as a solution for covid vaccine race inequalities, and racial disparities have also been linked to higher maternal deaths and postpartum mood disorders during the pandemic.
Arkansas Passes Ban On Gender-Affirming Medical Care For Transgender Kids
Arkansas is positioned to become the first state to prohibit doctors from providing treatments — such as puberty blockers, hormone therapies and transition-related surgeries — to transgender children. The bill next goes to Gov. Asa Hutchinson.
Over 100 Compensation Claims Made Against Covid Treatments, None Paid
The 106 injury claims for vaccines, hydroxychloroquine and other COVID-19 treatments remained under medical review as of March 15. In other covid research news, pre-symptomatic covid cases are linked to virus spreading, an experimental drug from Humanigen helped keep patients off ventilators, and a decades-old antidepressant may hold covid treatment promise.
Supreme Court Will Hear Challenge Bid Over Kentucky Abortion Law
The conservative-majority court will consider a request by the Kentucky Attorney General to be allowed to intervene in a court case that knocked down a Kentucky abortion law — which would ban a surgical procedure commonly used after the 15th week of pregnancy — after the governor declined to do so.
More Troubles for AstraZeneca Covid Vaccine
This time it’s Canada, which has halted use of the vaccine for people under the age of 55 because of possible side effects reported in Europe. Meanwhile, Johnson & Johnson will supply 400 million doses of its vaccine to the African Union.