Latest KFF Health News Stories
Study: Omicron’s Long Covid Risks Lesser Than Delta
New research indicates that the chance of developing long covid is lower with the omicron covid variant than it is with the delta variant. Meanwhile, hospitalizations are on the rise in some parts of the country.
Window Shutting On Deal For More Federal Covid Funds
Republicans accused the White House of providing “false” information about dwindling money, citing a big purchase of more vaccine. Biden administration officials say they’ve been transparent and were forced to repurpose that money from other initiatives because of the funding battle.
Sticking Points Stall Gun Talks, Cast Doubt On Deal
After hours of negotiations Thursday, Senate negotiators missed their target deadline with two major unresolved points: state funding to set up red flag laws and closing the so-called “boyfriend loophole.”
Senate Expands Veteran Benefits To Cover Toxic Exposure Sicknesses
Media outlets cover a major push to improve care of sick veterans with a new bill offering health care and tax-free benefits to veterans under certain circumstances, such as those exposed to toxic burn pits while deployed, or suffering a wider range of conditions from toxic substances like Agent Orange.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations. Note to readers: KHN’s First Edition will not be published Monday in honor of Juneteenth. Look for it again in your inbox Tuesday.
Viewpoints: Virtual Health Care Is The Future; How To Make Hospital Stays Safer For Patients
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
Opinion writers discuss therapuetic food, covid and reproductive health topics.
Europe’s 14th-Century Plague Origin Traced To Lake In Central Asia
Scientists have unraveled where the historic and devastating plague began: Near a lake in what is now Kyrgyzstan, countering earlier theories of a Chinese origin. Same-sex partnerships in Tokyo, marijuana in Thailand, and more are also global health news.
Research Roundup: Covid; Flu; Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
More People In Missouri Have Red Meat Allergy From Tick Bites
The origins of how tick bites lead to the allergy are still under investigation, but St. Louis Public Radio reports the syndrome is rising in Missouri. Also in state news: A Missouri mental health bill, Maine State Police behavioral health teams, mental health training for New Hampshire camp counselors, more.
Anthem Brings Back Wellpoint Brand In Makeover
The U.S.’s second largest insurer Anthem will rebrand as Elevance Health, and some of its plans will become “Wellpoint” branded, which was the whole company’s name before 2014. Separately, two New Jersey hospitals have called off their planned merger after an FTC challenge.
Positive For Covid, Fauci Has ‘Mild’ Symptoms
Almost inevitably, covid’s influence has touched the White House’s chief medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci, 81. He’s fully vaccinated and double-boosted. Axios reports new omicron variants are “gaining ground” and evading protections, and NBC News notes reinfections are “here to stay.”
Older Americans Skipping Meds, Cutting Back To Pay For Health Care
A new survey finds that 42% of people over 50 who do not qualify yet for Medicare are worried about being able to afford future medical expenses. And many of those are already skimping to pay for them.
Gun Violence Bill Swings To Mental Health Focus, May Be Slimmed
The lead Republican negotiator of the gun safety framework bill warned some provisions may be “slimmed” down. Roll Call reports that as the framework focuses on mental health, advocates are pleased it expands access but are wary, since mental health isn’t strongly linked to gun homicides.
White House, Democrats Weigh Options To Protect Abortion Rights
According to The New York Times, President Joe Biden is considering a series of executive actions to ensure women in Republican states can still access abortions if the Supreme Court does strike down Roe v. Wade. The 19th reports Democratic senators are also looking at what options may work.
Biden Moves To Protect Transgender Youth Health Care
News outlets report President Joe Biden will order his health agency to ban conversion therapy, plus bolster access to gender-affirming health care, particularly for young people. Separately, a global trans health body revised its advice on starting hormone therapy downward, from 16 to 14 years old.
Supreme Court Reinstates Medicare Drug Reimbursements To 340B Hospitals
Hospitals participating in the 340B program will be able to recoup billions in drug payments that Supreme Court justices unanimously decided were improperly cut. The Trump administration reduced the Medicare subsidies, and the Biden administration defended the policy.
‘Forever Chemicals’ Pose Serious Danger To Public Health, EPA Warns
In a stunning move, the Environmental Protection Agency cut the safe level of chemical PFOA by more than 17,000 times what the agency previously said was tolerable. In effect, any detectable amounts of PFOA and PFOS are unsafe to consume, USA Today and other news outlets reported.
WHO Warns Monkeypox Is Now A Threat To Global Public Health
The worry is that the longer the outbreak persists, Axios reports, the higher the risk the disease will gain strong footholds in countries where it has not been endemic before. The World Health Organization is also said to be creating a new vaccine sharing program to improve protections against the virus.
Floods Re-Shutter Abbott Baby Formula Factory
Even as the ongoing baby formula shortage leads to fresh supplies being flown to the U.S. from Australia and Switzerland, the Abbott factory in Michigan that was at the core of the initial crisis has had to re-close due to flooding after only recently restarting production.
