Latest KFF Health News Content

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Gun Violence Is A Public Health Issue, Fauci Says

Morning Briefing

The Indianapolis Star separately reports on how gun violence impacts trauma surgeons. Also, Peloton’s treadmill poses a safety risk according to the CPSC, and reports talk about covid risks during flights and how airports are battling traveler stress issues.

Covid Hate Crime Bill Snagged On Wording

Morning Briefing

Republicans say an Asian American hate crimes bill ties hate crimes too closely to calling covid the “China virus,” a favorite term of former President Donald Trump. More on racial disparities in health care.

Biden Admin To Spend $1.7 Billion To Sequence Covid Variants

Morning Briefing

New variants make up about half of current U.S. covid cases according to the CDC. In other news, an OCD drug is touted as a potential covid treatment, and monoclonal antibodies are in the headlines again.

Restrictions On Fetal Tissue Research Lifted By Biden Administration

Morning Briefing

The White House reversed Trump-era rules that limited the use of fetal tissue in federally-funded medical research. Anti-abortion activists oppose the practice while scientists praise the move, saying such research has helped develop numerous vaccines and treatments, including for Parkinson’s, HIV and covid-19.

More Children And Young People In Covid ICUs

Morning Briefing

As signs of yet another covid surge materialize, doctors report more children and younger people with covid going to the hospital. Pennsylvania is now experiencing a surge as Colorado officials warn of one in that state.

Alaska Plans To Vaccinate Tourists; Florida Vaccinates Foreign Students

Morning Briefing

From June 1, Alaska will offer covid vaccines to tourists arriving or leaving from the state’s four biggest airports. Meanwhile, vaccine rollouts elsewhere are struggling to reach some groups, and a celebrity-filled effort to promote vaccination hits the airwaves.

US Passes Halfway Mark In Getting At Least One Shot In Adults’ Arms

Morning Briefing

As of Sunday, 50% of all Americans over 18 have received at least one dose of a covid vaccine. Such progress can’t come too soon, as the globe passes a tragic milestone of 3 million total coronavirus deaths.

Misterioso remedio: vacunas ayudan a enfermos de covid de largo plazo

KFF Health News Original

Es posible que las vacunas eliminen restos del virus o sus fragmentos, que interrumpan una respuesta autoinmune perjudicial o que, de alguna otra manera, “restablezcan” el sistema inmunitario.

Drug Company Sues Medical Journal

Morning Briefing

Pacira Biosciences sued Anesthesiology, claiming the medical journal disparaged its Exparel painkiller. Wall Street analysts think sales for the drug will nevertheless grow 50% this year. And cheating is alleged at Dartmouth’s medical school, but it could be that the school doesn’t understand computer technology.

States Push Against Mask Mandates For Schools And Sports

Morning Briefing

Education officials in Florida and Minnesota want to reduce mask use. In other news, anti-transgender laws are widely opposed in a new poll, and a call is made for more urgent care for women.

Physician Assistants Given Broader Scope In Florida Bill

Morning Briefing

In other news, Florida and Missouri make legal moves to adjust Medicaid provision, a long-delayed report on Medicaid in Georgia is released, and West Virginia’s governor signs a harm-reduction bill he’d been urged to veto by health professionals.