Latest KFF Health News Stories
Early In Pandemic, There Were More Telehealth Calls Than Any Other Kind
Modern Healthcare reports that 53.6% of patients with a behavioral health condition sought treatment from mid-March to early May 2020 compared with 43.2% of patients needing physical help.
Biden Team To Get 11th-Hour Access To Operation Warp Speed Meetings
The Trump administration had not allowed President-elect Joe Biden’s transition officials to join standing meetings on the pandemic response, Politico reports. Biden also plans to unveil his vaccination plan later this week.
After Capitol Riot, Covid Sinks Its Claws Deeper Into Washington
Two Democrats who took refuge in the same room with maskless Republicans have tested positive. Meanwhile, the District of Columbia is hit with a new surge of cases.
Eli Lilly’s Experimental Alzheimer’s Drug Shows Promise In Small Study
The small study shows promise in a similar drug developed by Biogen, offering hope that targeting amyloid plaques can slow decline.
Holiday Spike Starts To Hit Already Crowded, Short-Staffed Hospitals
Four states with the largest share of hospital beds occupied with covid patients – California, Arizona, Nevada and Georgia – are struggling to keep pace with the unprecedented surge, USA Today reports.
More Contagious Virus Variant Spreads To 10 States; Japan IDs New Mutation
Indiana and Minnesota join the list of states where health officials have confirmed cases of the B.1.1.7 strain, first identified in the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, Japan says that is has detected another coronavirus mutation in travelers arriving from Brazil.
California Includes Disneyland In Multiple ‘Mass Vaccination’ Sites
As cases surge, Gov. Gavin Newsom said five places such as MLB parks and entertainment sites will be used for dispensing vaccines. In Arizona, another hard-hit state, people lined up at a round-the-clock operation at the NFL stadium in Phoenix.
Don’t Cut Doses, Moderna Doc Warns; Trial Results Coming Soon From J&J
In other vaccine news, Pfizer and BioNTech have announced plans to boost this year’s production of covid vaccine from more than 1 billion doses to 2 billion doses.
Get The Vaccine When It’s Your Turn — Even If You’ve Had Covid, CDC Says
But experts say your age and overall health should play a big part in your decision, especially where supplies of the vaccine are scarce.
States Adapt Inoculation Plans, Extend Access To More Age Groups
New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and the District of Columbia announce changes aimed at accelerating vaccination rates in those areas.
How It All Went Wrong: Bad Planning, Red Tape Blamed In Bumpy Rollout
News outlets look at how the U.S. was caught flat-footed in the early weeks of the vaccine rollout.
More Doses, More Eligible People: HHS Alters Course To Speed Up Vaccinations
The Trump administration will announce that it is no longer holding back supplies to reserve second doses and is asking states to open up vaccinations to people 65 and older, as well as those with underlying health conditions.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Aunque controlen el Senado, demócratas necesitarán apoyo republicano en temas clave de salud
Con el control del Senado y la Cámara de Representantes, tendrán el poder de elegir qué propuestas de salud se votarán en el Congreso. Pero no será tan fácil.
Opinion pages express views about these covid topics and others as deaths from the pandemic head toward 400,000.
Editorial pages focus on these pandemic topics and others.
Marijuana Smoke Linked To Several Toxins, Study Says
Weed’s smoke is also known to have the same toxic combustion products found in tobacco smoke. News reports are on the battle against heart and lung disease in rural areas, covid cases in the NBA, and more.
Indonesia Signs Off On Emergency Use Of China’s Vaccine
China, where cases are rising again, has also started administering CoronaVac. Bolivia and several other countries are expected to start rolling out vaccinations, as well. News is from South Africa, Italy and England, as well.
Study: Covid Symptoms Linger For At Least 6 Months
The research from China highlights the growing need for continued care for large swaths of populations and research into covid’s lingering effects, researchers say.
2 More Drugs Recommended To Treat Covid In UK, But Not In US
The nations have conflicting research results on Roche’s Actemra and Sanofi and Regeneron’s Kevzara. The United Kingdom says the anti-inflammatory drugs significantly reduce the risk of death in covid patients needing intensive care.