Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Herd Immunity Looks Unachievable; How Worried Should We Be About Monkeypox?
Editorial writers discuss covid, monkeypox, abortion rights and veteran disability.
Extreme Heat Worries Shift To Pacific Northwest As Northeast Cools
Temperatures above 110 degrees are expected. Meanwhile, in Texas a covid masking mandate ban is upheld by a federal appeals court, and a key piece of the Affordable Care Act is on trial due to challenges from Texans over provisions covering preventative measures, like STD screenings.
Special Report: In New Mexico, AlcohoI Kills Many More Than Is Typical
In a series of articles, New Mexico In Depth shines the light on alcohol abuse in the state, with deaths from alcohol-related causes running at three times the national average. Alcohol myths, violence and abuse, intoxicated driving, and more issues are examined.
Americans Say Pharma Deserves More Credit Than CDC For Covid Drugs, Vaccines
Of those surveyed by a Harris Poll, 71% said the pharmaceutical industry should get credit, beating approval stats for the CDC, FDA or the White House. Other health industry matters include plaudits for Houston hospitals, worries triggered by Cerner’s VA electronic health care rollout, and more.
Concerns That Data In Key Alzheimer’s Study May Have Been Falsified
News outlets cover unsettling developments in Alzheimer’s research, with reports saying an influential 2006 paper on some proteins’ role in the disease may have used fabricated data. Covid research, hepatitis in kids, napping, new highly potent weed strains and more are also in the news.
White House May Bolster Gay, Transgender Protection In ACA Rules
Media outlets report on words from the Biden administration on reinforced anti-discrimination protections for people in the LGBTQ+ community in the Affordable Care Act. Separately, a federal lawsuit is challenging parts of the ACA related to coverage for contraception.
Biden’s Covid Symptoms Almost Gone; Manchin Tests Positive
Media outlets report on news from the White House on President Joe Biden’s condition: he’s said to be mostly symptom-free after four days on Paxlovid. Meanwhile, Sen. Joe Manchin, who is 74 years old, has also tested positive. As have several other lawmakers.
43% Of Parents Of Children Under 5 Won’t Get Their Kids Covid Shots
As of last week, just 2.8% of U.S. children under age 5 who are eligible to receive a covid vaccine had gotten one. Other news on the covid pandemic covers boosters for the fall, long covid, therapeutics in prisons and more.
WHO Underlines Monkeypox Could Easily Spread To Other Social Groups
The World Health Organization has taken pains to point out that while the monkeypox outbreak is predominantly affecting men who have sex with men, it can easily spread into other social cohorts. Meanwhile, the Biden administration is said to be considering a health emergency declaration.
Tennessee, West Virginia Legislatures Consider Updates To Abortion Trigger Laws
With West Virginia’s 19th century law on judicial hold, Republican state House members advance an updated bill banning abortion, except in cases of miscarriage or stillbirth. Tennessee’s trigger law is still pending, but in the meantime, abortion rights advocates urge lawmakers to add exceptions for victims of rape or incest.
Harris Suggests Lawmakers Enacting Abortion Bans Should ‘Learn How A Woman’s Body Works’
Speaking before abortion-rights supporters at an Indiana statehouse protest, Vice President Kamala Harris spoke out against the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade and state laws like one being considered in Indiana.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Can Pelosi Save Women’s Reproductive Rights?; Doctors Are Afraid To Treat Miscarriages
Editorial writers tackle abortion rights issues.
Different Takes: Most People Seem To Be Ignoring Covid; US Must Declare Monkeypox An Emergency
Opinion writers weigh in on covid, monkeypox and more public health topics.
Heat Roasts Northeast Prompting Health Alerts
Boston reported highs of 100 degrees, a record for the weekend date. Meanwhile, in New York the first polio case in a long while has stirred up alarm and a hunt for more cases, though the state Health Department tamped down worries by noting none had yet been found.
Pandemic, Burnout, Expiring Federal Covid Funds Hitting Hospital Staffing
Hospitals across the U.S. are struggling to staff their operations as burnout and turnover affect employee numbers — all during a surge in covid cases driven by BA.5. Cerner VA, HCA Healthcare, Yuvo Health, and more are also in industry news.
6% Of Children Show Covid Symptoms At 90 Days In Hospital Tests
CIDRAP reports on a worrying statistic: around 6% of children visiting emergency departments for covid tests show symptoms long after they are typically found. Separately, scientists are focusing in on why some people seem able to skirt catching covid, even though BA.5 may interfere with this work.
Have Health Insurance? It May Not Tally With You Having Good Health
A report in Modern Healthcare deals with the notion that having health insurance is a “proxy” for patients also reporting good health, with a new study underlining that racial identity is a better indicator of health status. Also in the news: gun control, mental health barriers, a drug recall, and more.
Conservatives Leverage Biden’s Covid To Spread Vaccine Misinformation
Newsweek reports some are using the president’s covid infection to question the efficacy of vaccines. Separately, Politico reports that Vice President Kamala Harris is mulling a more aggressive stance on protecting abortion rights. Also: same-sex marriage, a potential probe into Dr. Anthony Fauci’s pandemic role, and more.
