Latest KFF Health News Stories
Jill Biden Tests Positive For Covid
The first lady experienced symptoms on Monday and is taking Paxlovid. Meanwhile, after refusing to testify before the House Oversight Committee, gunmaker Smith & Wesson’s CEO blames politicians for the surge in gun violence. Also: J&J’s bankruptcy, faulty Philips respirators and more.
Biden Administration Plans Push For Abortion Rights, Aiming At Men Too
The White House is planning a serious effort to emphasize abortion access ahead of the midterms, and its campaign will also try to sway men’s opinions. Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood is reportedly planning a record spend of $50 million on advocacy ahead of the elections.
White House Said To Plan Extending Covid Health Emergency
Another three months of special powers are incoming if the Biden administration goes ahead, as reports say it will, and renews the covid public health emergency. Meanwhile, the Atlantic notes that even as fall is incoming — bringing potentially more covid — people think the pandemic is over.
Questions Grow Over Possible Wider Spread Of Monkeypox
The case of a California man who tested positive for monkeypox, as well as a recent study, raise concerns over potential asymptomatic transmissions or ones outside of sexual networks. Other news stories report on the 8th pediatric case in the U.S., vaccinations, and more.
Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids Could Be Available By October After FDA OK
In a move that could make hearing aids more affordable and accessible for an estimated 30 million Americans, the Food and Drug Administration issued a final rule Tuesday allowing the devices to be sold without a prescription. President Joe Biden said that over-the-counter aids could be purchased as early as October.
Historic Medicare Drug Pricing Changes Signed Into Law
During the White House signing ceremony Tuesday, President Joe Biden and congressional Democrats stressed the long path to passage for the sweeping budget reconciliation bill. “The American people won, and the special interests lost,” Biden said of the new law that gives Medicare negotiating powers for some drug prices and extends ACA premium aid.
First Edition: August 17, 2022
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Polio Is Back, Thanks To Low Vaccination Rates; We Are Failing To Control Monkeypox
Editorial writers weigh in on polio, monkeypox, vaccines, and more.
Free School Meals Have Ended For Many, But Not In California
A report in the Los Angeles Times details the provisions put in place to ensure free school meals are accessible to all students. In other news, a potential 20%-plus rate increase in Connecticut’s insurance rates, leaded aviation gas, a boil water advisory in Michigan and more.
Zika Simmers On Back Burner As World Copes With String Of Viral Menaces
A frightening outbreak of the mosquito-borne illness in 2015 and 2016 left many children around the world with devastating brain damage. The New York Times reports on how families and researchers are struggling to find a cure as attention dried up in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic.
Strangling Hazard Forces Baby Swing, Rocker Recall
Over 2 million infant swings have been recalled after the Consumer Product Safety Commission determined the straps were a tangling and strangling hazard. Meanwhile, nearly 6,000 cartons of Wild Cherry Capri Sun have been recalled over a cleaning solution contamination.
2,000 Kaiser Permanente Mental Health Workers Strike
The open-ended strike began yesterday over staffing shortages. Modern Healthcare notes no further bargaining sessions are scheduled. (Kaiser Permanente is not affiliated with KHN.) Staffing in New York hospitals, an activist investor stake in Cardinal Health, and more are also reported in health industry news.
Special Report: Pregnant But Unequal
This four-part USA Today project examines the lack of maternal health care in America’s rural communities of color.
Officials Able To Distribute Twice As Many Monkeypox Shots As Planned
The Department of Health and Human Services planned to distribute 221,000 more doses as of Monday, but the shift in strategy allowing more shots per vial means 442,000 shots are available. Media outlets report on other monkeypox matters, including misinformation.
Judge Rules He Had No Authority To Block Georgia’s Abortion Ban
A state judge had been asked to issue a preliminary injunction to block Georgia’s strict anti-abortion law. In West Virginia Governor Jim Justice is said to have “scoffed” at the idea voters should decide if abortion should be legal in the state. Other abortion-related news is also reported.
Mask Mandates Cover Some, Relax Elsewhere. Science Shows Masks Work.
In Massachusetts there’s no school mask mandate, except in health offices, nor covid testing requirements. But in Philadelphia, the school district is mandating masks for everyone for the first 10 days. Other news outlets report school covid cases are expected to rise.
Moderna’s Covid Bivalent Booster Approved In UK; Will The US Be Next?
Great Britain is the first nation to authorize use of a dual vaccine, reformulated for both the original virus and the omicron variant. The version approved in the U.K., which targets the subvariant BA.1, differs from the one expected to be used in the U.S. this fall, which targets BA.4 and BA.5.
Biden Signs Drug Pricing, ACA Premiums Measures Into Law
The White House held the signing ceremony Tuesday for the Inflation Reduction Act. News reports examine details of the health care provisions included in the massive $700 billion economic package.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers examine abortion rights and more public health topics.
