Latest KFF Health News Stories
Hospitals In Los Angeles Have Few Beds For Sick Covid Patients
L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said the number of available beds is at its lowest since the pandemic started. Across the state, hospitals in San Francisco are struggling to cope with staff shortages. Also: covid news from China and Africa.
‘Safe To Gather,’ But Get Boosted: White House’s Holiday Health Advice
As families prepare to gather for the holidays while covid cases climb in many areas, federal health experts say the top thing you can do to protect yourself is to get the latest covid booster shot. News outlets offer other tips for avoiding the surge of respiratory bugs like RSV and flu.
Whew! The Early Flu Season May Have Peaked — But Is Another Wave Coming?
The CDC’s weekly influenza report showed that the percentage of outpatient visits to health care providers for respiratory illnesses has declined for a second week in a row. Meanwhile, some doctors across the country are reporting shortages of oseltamivir, a generic antiviral drug used to treat flu.
Ransomware Attack Drives Medicare To Issue New IDs For 254,000 Beneficiaries
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services says that as many as 254,000 IDs may have been compromised in an online attack of a subcontractor. Other news from the Biden administration reports on a homeless plan, executive orders, transgender health, and Title 42.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, CRISPR, breast cancer, holiday stress, and more.
Bill That Decriminalizes Fentanyl Test Strips Heads To Ohio Governor’s Desk
The measure is part of a sweeping criminal justice bill passed by the state legislature Thursday. In other news, Iowa has reached a $44 million settlement with Centene, one of its Medicaid service providers, over its billing practices.
A Tattoo Parlor Is Linked To Spreading Mpox To 21 People
CIDRAP reports that piercing or tattooing appears to be linked to mpox infections in 21 people in Spain in July, from 58 total people who were customers of the same tattoo parlor over the same period. Combatting gun violence, and disability rights are also in the news.
Viewpoints: Baby Formula Shortages May Be Coming Back; Millions Set To Lose Medicaid Coverage
Editorial writers tackle these public health issues.
Trinity Health Will Offer To Pay Employees On Daily Basis
Grand Rapids Business Journal reports on efforts by Michigan’s Trinity Health to attract and retain employees during the current staffing crisis by offering to pay them day to day. Also: a picket outside a Las Vegas hospital, some evidence on staffing woes easing in non-profit hospitals, and more.
Flu Season May Be Peaking: CDC Data
New case numbers on the “historically bad” U.S. influenza season indicates it may be reaching a peak. The Washington Post notes that the current “viral siege” has left some people sick for weeks on end. Other outlets cover more news on RSV, flu, and covid matters.
Data Show That Net Drug Prices Fell, Surprisingly Thanks To Inflation
Stat reports on an analysis that shows even though drugmakers bumped wholesale prices 4.8% in the third quarter — more than in the same period last year — background inflation meant in net those prices fell by 3.1%. Also: AbbVie’s lobbying, pulse oximeter fixes, another Alzheimer’s treatment, and more.
Democratic Senators Push To Protect IVF After Dobbs Decision
News outlets report on efforts by Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Patty Murray, plus Democratic Rep. Susan Wild, to push legislation protecting access to reproductive technology. Separately, Texas has released a long-awaited maternal mortality report, which shows most of the deaths in 2019 were preventable.
Scientists Say Covid Can Be Spread From Dead Bodies
A worrying report in the New York Times says there is evidence of covid spreading from infected bodies for many days after death, putting medical and funeral staff at risk. Separately, CIDRAP reports that covid autopsies have found the virus in the brain and throughout the body, and it could be detected months later.
Philly Schoolkids Told To Wear Masks; Va. Students With Disabilities Win Case
In the Virginia case, the state government has agreed to require classmates and teachers to wear masks around immunocompromised students if parents request it. The settlement stands in contrast to state law, which forbids school districts from requiring mask-wearing as a covid mitigation measure, The Washington Post reported.
Intel Agencies, Trump ‘Took Too Long’ To Track Early Covid Spread: House Report
A House Intelligence Committee report says that an unprepared U.S. intelligence community did not start gathering information quickly enough in the early days of covid infections. And once they did, then-President Donald Trump downplayed the “increasingly stark warnings” about the emerging danger. Those delays likely led to missed opportunities to investigate the virus’ origins.
Defense Bill That Scraps Military Covid Vaccine Mandate Heads To Biden
The Senate passed the $858 billion defense authorization bill Thursday by a 83-11 vote. The package now heads to the desk of President Joe Biden, who has objected to its removal of the covid vaccination requirement for the U.S. military.
How Common Are Misdiagnoses? Study Finds 7.4 Million A Year In US ERs
While rare in the 130 million annual visits to the U.S. emergency departments, the study by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality estimates that diagnostic errors end in death for as many as 250,000 patients, while another 370,000 suffer serious harm.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers examine these public health issues.
