Latest KFF Health News Stories
Irish Leader Learns Of Covid-Positive Test During Event With Biden
Ireland’s Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, sat next to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during the Ireland Funds National Gala in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night and left after finding out about his test. Martin’s interaction with President Joe Biden didn’t last long enough to qualify as a close contact, White House officials said.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers examine these public health issues.
Different Takes: Overcoming Covid Anxiety; To Mask Or Not To Mask?
Opinion writers tackle these covid topics.
Perspectives: Public Trust Must Be Rebuilt To Overcome Vaccine Hesitancy
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Covid Vaccine, Test, Diagnostics IP Waivers Advance
In the European Union, South Africa, India, and the U.S. a compromise has been reached to relax intellectual property rights so that more people can gain access to covid medical products. Separately, the WHO Foundation examines how rich nation’s vaccine hoarding ultimately will cost trillions of dollars.
Eli Lilly Halts Exports Of Some Meds To Russia
The drugmaker, known for being an insulin producer, has also suspended investment and new clinical trials in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Media outlets cover other news emerging from the invasion, plus a health-impacting Saharan dust storm covering parts of Europe.
MRNA Boosters More Effective Against Delta Than Omicron
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Not Even A 6-Week Window: Tennessee GOP Advances Bill To Ban All Abortions
The proposed ban does not have an exception for rape or incest. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, a Republican, has been vocal in his opposition to abortion, but he has held off until now on supporting Texas-style legislation, AP reported. Health developments from other state capitals is also in news.
As Suicides Continue On Golden Gate Bridge, Barrier Gets Completion Date
The campaign to install suicide nets on the bridge has taken decades of effort but is now finally set to be completed by the end of 2023. Worsening children’s health issues, teen’s mental health burden, rising gun deaths in Ohio, expanding mental health in Boston, and more are also in the news.
Hospitals And Insurers Lock Horns Over Pricing
A large Massachusetts insurance organization is opposing Mass General Brigham’s expansion plans. And thousands in Vermont covered by United HealthCare may soon be blocked from services with the University of Vermont Health Network. Other insurance industry news covers customer complaints, surprising bills, and more.
Arizona, Wisconsin Begin Looking At Impact Of Trimming Medicaid Rolls
As covid upended the U.S. economy two years ago, Medicaid enrollment grew but the federal government helped states absorb the additional costs. Now as states look toward the end of the covid emergency, they are planning how to reevaluate who should be covered by the federal-state program for low-income residents.
Logistics Logjams Threaten Saline, Dextrose Solution Supplies
Politico reports on worries from the medical industry over the impact of supply chain backups on medical materials. Also: doctors’ use of Google Translate, Google working with Meditech’s e-records health systems, underfunding links to lower primary care access in the U.S., and more.
Women Guaranteed Access To Rape Kits In Revision Of Landmark Law
President Joe Biden signed the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which includes bipartisan provisions to expand access to care for victims of sexual assault and improve conditions for Native American women.
Over Time, J&J Vaccine Proving As Effective As Other Shots
Though the data is controversial, it now seems that Johnson & Johnson’s covid vaccine, which was originally deemed least protective, is now keeping pace with rivals in terms of preventing serious cases. CNN also covers impacts of lower effectiveness of shots for 5- to 11-year olds.
Jump Back No More? Senate Agrees To Halt Daylight Saving Time Switch
The Senate was full of surprises Tuesday when the “Sunshine Protection Act” was introduced with little warning. And again when lawmakers of both parties fully agreed on something, passing the bill by unanimous consent. Twice-a-year clock adjustments — many Americans hate — would end starting in November 2023, if the House also approves and the president signs.
Senate Approves Bill To Remove Mask Requirement On Planes, Transit
Eight Democrats joined with nearly all the Republicans to support the measure sponsored by Sen. Rand Paul, but the bill’s fate in the House is uncertain. News outlets also explore some of the questions about setting up President Joe Biden’s ARPA-H, an agency designed to push biomedical advances forward more quickly, and a Senate committee’s effort to establish an independent panel to to probe the U.S. response to the pandemic.
‘Stealth’ Omicron Subvariant Now Up To 25% Of New US Cases
The number is an estimate from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and is up from around 10% of cases a week ago. Meanwhile, experts are worried about the next covid variant, which might not be mild like omicron or BA.2.
Pfizer Applies For FDA OK Of Second Covid Booster For People 65 And Older
Pfizer and BioNTech applied to the FDA for emergency use authorization of another booster dose of its covid vaccine for older Americans, citing data from two Israeli studies.
White House Offensive Details Cuts In Spending Without More Covid Funds
Republicans on Capitol Hill say they are reluctant to spend more money unless they get more details about how past funding has been spent. But administration officials say new money is needed to keep key strategies for fighting covid in place.
