Latest KFF Health News Stories
Biogen Agrees To Pay $22M To Settle Medicare Kickback Allegations
Other pharmaceutical and biotech news is on AbbVie, Path-Tec and Coherus Biosciences.
Supreme Court Denies Request From Religious School For Shutdown Exemption
Danville Christian Academy argued for a religious-based exemption from Kentucky’s temporary restrictions on in-person learning. The justices rejected the case in a 7-2 ruling.
Relief Work Extends To Weekend; White House Aides Avert Trump Demand
The Washington Post reports that aides to President Donald Trump talked him out of throwing off relief negotiations with a demand for bigger stimulus checks. Other measures are also dropped as lawmakers continue to try to hammer out a deal.
Becerra Sheds Light On Biden Administration’s Health Goals
Xavier Becerra, who is expected to lead the Health and Human Services Department in the new administration, gave his first live interview Thursday since being tapped for the role.
Biden And Trump Teams Both Hit By New Infections
Like the nation, the pace of government officials and advisers infected by or exposed to the coronavirus are on the rise.
California Running Out Of Hospital Beds As Pandemic Spirals Out Of Control
California is, once again, the nation’s hottest spot of the coronavirus outbreak, forcing officials to activate the state’s “mass fatality” protocol. Deaths are being counted by the hour.
Surge Is So Bad That Task Force Needs New Color Scale To Illustrate Scope
Another record number of deaths — nearly 3,700 — was reported on Thursday while new infections surpass 275,000.
New Data Released On AstraZeneca’s Vaccine ‘Booster’ Dosing Regimen
The latest clinical trial results show that the vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University delivers a better response when a second full dose is administered, rather than a half dose that was also tested. Developments related to Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine are also in the news.
Hospitals Beef Up Security To Prevent Theft Of Vaccine Shipments
Early on, a scarce supply of vaccine vials will help hospitals keep close track of who is receiving the vaccine. But as the vaccine becomes more widely available, the prospects for line-jumping or theft will become more prevalent.
Can Unproven Moderna Ramp Up Production To Meet Demand?
Unlike Pfizer, Moderna has never undertaken the manufacturing challenges that massive COVID vaccine orders require and will have to depend on outsourcing, NPR reports.
Big Cutbacks In Next Shipments To States May Delay Vaccination Goals
Ambitions to inoculate 20 million Americans by the end of the year may already be off track as multiple states are told by CDC officials that their second allotment of vaccine will be reduced, some by as much as 40%. Pfizer says the issue is not on the supply end.
Pence Vaccinated On Live TV: ‘I Didn’t Feel A Thing’
In an effort to reassure the public about vaccine safety, the vice president was joined by his wife and Surgeon General Jerome Adams in being inoculated during the public event Friday.
Moderna’s COVID Vaccine On Verge Of Authorization
After getting approval from an advisory committee Thursday, the FDA on Friday is expected to approve Moderna’s vaccine for emergency use.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Ski Resorts Work to Stay Open as COVID Cases Snowball
Colorado’s Telluride is a case study in the challenges ski resorts across the U.S. face in staying open as COVID-19 surges.
KHN and California Healthline staff made the rounds on national and local media this week to discuss their stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
Voces confiables ayudan a inmigrantes a superar el temor a la vacuna contra COVID
Funcionarios de salud pública de todo el país se preparan para un desafío: persuadir a comunidades que han sido duramente afectadas por el virus para que se vacunen.
Research Roundup: COVID; Guillain-Barré Syndrome; Migraine; Prostate Cancer; Hepatitis C
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Viewpoints: Lessons On School Reopenings, Vaccine Distrust, Big Pharma’s Glow
Editorial pages focus on these pandemic topics and other health topics, as well.
Mothers Who Rented Bus For Huge Maskless Birthday Party Face Charges
The Ohio parents were charged with “contributing to the unruliness/delinquency of a child.” Reports are on benefits of fitness video games, vaccine safety, when it’s OK to travel and more.