Morning Breakouts

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Decision On Legal Appeal Of Travel Mask Mandate Left To CDC

Morning Briefing

The Justice Department announced that it is prepared to challenge a federal district judge’s ruling that struck down the federal mask requirement on most public transit if the CDC deems it necessary in the interest of public health.

CDC Creates A Forecasting Center

Morning Briefing

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it will be like the National Weather Service for infectious diseases, supplying data to help government officials make better decisions.

Moderna Encouraged By Test Results Of Redesigned Covid Vaccine

Morning Briefing

The modified version — a so-called bivalent mRNA covid vaccine — provides strong protection against variants in clinical trials, Moderna reports. Some experts, though, say the results are not as impressive as the drugmaker characterizes, or that it’s unknown what other factors are at play.

J&J-Janssen Opioid Settlement Sends $99 Million To West Virginia

Morning Briefing

Janssen, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, has settled with West Virginia over its role in the opioid crisis. In other news, a jury is deadlocked over the murder trial of William Husel — an Ohio doctor accused of overprescribing fentanyl — and will continue its deliberations.

FEMA Distributed $2 Billion For Covid Funerals

Morning Briefing

The federal government spent $2 billion in covid funeral assistance awards, some of it ineligibly. In other news, President Biden is convening a global covid summit in May to discuss funding and coordination.

CDC Moves Down All Countries From Its Highest Covid Risk Rank

Morning Briefing

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now designates its highest-risk “level 4” category as “Special Circumstances/Do Not Travel”, and it’s empty; 120 nations are now in level 3, “high” risk. Meanwhile, in Shanghai authorities reported another 7 deaths as an omicron outbreak continues.

Fentanyl Made Teen Overdose Rates Double Over 2 Years

Morning Briefing

A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that teen drug use over the last decade stayed level but that fentanyl in the supply chain is killing twice as many teens. Other reports say the crackdown on prescribing opioids has pushed people to use illegal drug markets.

Trial Data Behind Alzheimer’s Drug Simufilam Questioned

Morning Briefing

A report in the New York Times says the efficacy of an Alzheimer’s drug from Cassava Sciences is questioned by experts due to potential issues with some of its clinical trials. Axios and Stat report on hospital cancer drug markups. The risks of mixing viagra and nitrates, and more are also in the news.

Study Says Doctors Overlook Some Benefits Of E-Cigarettes

Morning Briefing

A study says most doctors falsely believe all tobacco products are equally harmful, which makes them overlook benefits like recommending switching to less damaging products. The study was funded by the National Cancer Institute. In other health industry news, thousands of Sutter Health employees staged a one-day strike, and Stanford Health staff are also planning one.

Medicaid Work Requirement Suits Tossed By Supreme Court As Moot

Morning Briefing

Since the Biden administration revoked permission for states to require people to work in order to qualify for Medicaid, the Supreme Court ruled Monday that two challenges from Arkansas and New Hampshire are no longer at issue. The decision did not address the legality of work requirements.

CDC Confirms 4 In Michigan Got Covid From Mink In First ‘Spillover’ Event

Morning Briefing

The cases occurred in late 2020; three were previously reported. However, documents obtained in a Freedom of Information Act request from National Geographic revealed a fourth case that wasn’t disclosed by the CDC.

High Court Weighs In On Covid Vaccination Policies

Morning Briefing

The Supreme Court took action on two covid vaccination cases. In one, it ruled the Pentagon can take action against personnel who refuse a vaccine. In other, it declined to make any ruling on a lower court decision allowing an employer’s vaccination policy to remain in effect. Other news is on vaccination and mask mandates.

TSA, Amtrak, Most Airlines End Mask Enforcement After Mandate Nixed

Morning Briefing

After a federal judge struck down the CDC mask mandate on most public transit, the Transportation Security Administration, Amtrak and some companies have already halted requirements that passengers cover up. More are expected to follow suit.