Latest KFF Health News Stories
Perspectives: Cutting Down On Bad Patents Can Help Drug Prices
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Verve Therapeutics says its one-time treatment significantly reduced LDL cholesterol for six months. The company hopes to begin clinical trials next year on people born with HeFH, a genetic heart disease that causes lifelong, high LDL levels. Other news is on Intarcia Therapeutics and AI tools.
New York Plans To Launch Rapid Testing Sites
The ability to know test results in 15 minutes would allow offices, theaters and restaurants to reopen sooner.
Irish Report Finds 9,000 Infants Died In Unwed Mother Homes
Ireland’s prime minister responded to the report by saying “We did this to ourselves, we treated women exceptionally badly.” News is on covid developments, as well.
China’s Leading Vaccine Less Effective Than Promoted In Latest Brazil Trials
Late-stage testing in Brazil shows the covid-19 vaccine developed by Sinovac Biotech to be 50.38% effective overall, in contrast with the 78% announced last week. Researchers acknowledge the earlier number only included volunteers mildly sick.
U.S. Cancer Death Rate Fell Record Amount
The American Cancer Society traces the progress to a reduction in smoking and advances in lung cancer treatment.
Former Governor Of Michigan To Face Charges Over Flint Water Crisis
The charges against Republican Rick Snyder and former health director Nick Lyon — who previously faced involuntary manslaughter charges that were eventually dropped — haven’t been announced. The Flint water scandal contaminated the African American-majority city’s drinking water with lead.
Trump Administration’s Vaccine Shifts Come With Risks, New Challenges
Fallout from the Trump administration’s policy shake up — releasing the full vaccine supply, calling for expanded distribution to more people and changing state allocations — creates fallout for state officials and the incoming Biden administration.
HHS Pushes Out Policy Changes In Last Days Of Trump Administration
Powers related to FDA scrutiny of drugs or penalties for HHS guidance violations could be impacted by the final flurry of action.
Health Insurance Firms Halt Donations To Some Lawmakers After Riot
Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealth Group have paused all or some political contributions. Others considering action are Centene Corp., CVS Health (which owns Aetna), America’s Health Insurance Plans and others.
Democrats Might Use Special Process To Bypass GOP, Pass Biden’s Covid Bill
Politico reports that passing the relief package through reconciliation would allow Democrats to pass the bill with only 50 votes — plus Vice President-elect Kamala Harris as the tie-breaker — rather than 60. In other news, the incoming director of the CDC says she will tell the public the truth, “even when the news is bleak.”
4,320 Fatalities: U.S. Reports Highest Daily Number Of Covid Deaths
Media outlets also report on California lifting a stay-at-home order in the Sacramento area, Maryland finding the more infectious UK strain, Las Vegas declaring a hospital disaster, and more.
All Travelers Flying To US Will Have To Show Covid-Negative Test
Starting Jan. 26, the new CDC order will apply to all American and foreign passengers traveling from outside the U.S., not just those coming from the United Kingdom, who are currently required to be tested within three days of flying.
Supreme Court Allows Trump Administration To Reinstate Abortion Pill Restrictions
In a 6-3 decision, Supreme Court justices approved an emergency request to overturn a lower-court injunction on FDA requirements that patients must pick up medication for abortion from a doctor or clinic office instead of receiving it by mail.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers weigh in on these pandemic topics and other public health topics, as well.
OSHA Takes Hands-Off Approach To Deaths At Meatpacking Plants
Workers at 65 plants are said to have died of covid. The federal agency has failed to investigate 40% of the plants. News reports are from Texas, California and Mississippi, as well.
India Starts Nationwide Vaccine Delivery
The vaccination of the country’s 1.3 billion people is the largest undertaking in the world. Patient groups warn about a domestic vaccine manufacturer. News reports are from Albania, Germany, and Pakistan.
Hydroxychloroquine Study Shelved
Henry Ford Health System officials couldn’t find enough participants to continue studying whether the drug could help beat covid. Other news is on fluvoxamine, remdesivir, Cantel Medical Corp., Tempus, Bluebird Bio, Vertex Pharmaceuticals and an at-home test kit for colon cancer.
College Football’s Season Ends With Potential Superspreader In Alabama
Fans poured into the streets of Tuscaloosa after Monday night’s victory over Ohio State. In other covid news, several gorillas at San Diego Zoo Safari Park have tested positive for the coronavirus, the first known cases among great apes.