Latest KFF Health News Stories
NIH Agrees To License Covid Vaccine Tech To WHO
There has been a tussle over whether access to new covid technologies should be made more available to poorer nations through organizations like the World Health Organization, but progress has now been made as the National Institutes of Health agrees to licenses for around 12 medical products. Other vaccine news is on Novavax, Moderna’s effectiveness in children, and more.
Reprieve Over: Covid Cases Marching Back Up, Fueled By Reinfections
Covid infections are yet again surging in many parts of the U.S., with some people contracting the virus for a second or, even third time. News outlets report on reinfection risks and other factors driving the latest trendlines.
Covid Summit Leaders Pledge $3B, Urge World Not To Get Distracted
Also Thursday, President Joe Biden ordered flags to fly at half-staff to honor the 1 million Americans who have died from covid. While NPR reports on a new analysis that looks into how many of those might have lived if vaccine uptake in the U.S. was greater.
Meatpackers Knew Of Covid Outbreaks, Lobbied Trump To Keep Plants Open
A congressional report released Thursday found that the nation’s biggest meatpacking companies disregarded risks to employees and pushed “baseless” claims of beef and pork shortages early in the pandemic. And in Massachusetts, the state will pay $56 million to settle a class-action lawsuit over covid deaths at Holyoke Soldiers’ Home.
Survey: Majority Of Americans Support Free Birth Control If Roe Falls
If the Supreme Court does upend abortion protections by overturning Roe v. Wade, a survey reported in The Hill shows a huge majority of Americans think birth control should be free and widely accessible. Other media outlets cover worries that birth control may be more restricted in the future.
Louisiana Backtracks From Linking Abortion To Murder Charges
Louisiana House members voted broadly to revamp currently-proposed legislation that would have made the state among the strictest anti-abortion enforcers — prompting the bill’s sponsor to pull the proposal to subject women who have abortions to murder charges. Meanwhile, the Hill reports many red states are planning new anti-abortion legislation.
Amid Furor Over Abortion Leak, Alito Cautiously Addresses Court’s Status
While The Washington Post reports Justice Samuel Alito seemed “reluctant” to discuss the state of the Supreme Court during the controversy over his leaked anti-abortion opinion, Fox News notes that when asked how the Court was doing, he said, “We’re doing our work,” brushing off the affair. Other news outlets cover the ongoing firestorm that the draft opinion leak has ignited.
Formula Shortage May Linger Despite Latest White House Steps To Alleviate
The Biden administration announced a series of modest measures it can take to increase infant formula supplies, combat price gouging, and boost distribution to more remote locations. But even with these steps, the shortage could last for months.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health issues.
Opinion writers examine abortion and other public health topics.
Research Roundup: Pseudomonas; Epilepsy; Antibiotics; Cancer; Covid
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Supply Chain Crunch Limits Contrast Dyes For US Medical Imaging
Covid lockdowns in China have impacted the supply of contrast media, forcing some U.S. doctors to prioritize their patient lists as stores of the chemicals begin to dry up. Also in China, reports say some of the first local patients infected with covid are still experiencing symptoms.
ACA Tax Credits Expiry Would Mean Many Floridians Risk Being Uninsured
Premium tax credits were enlarged and made available to more people as part of the American Rescue Plan Act, but now worries are rising that hundreds of thousands of Florida residents, plus more in Texas and Georgia, risk becoming uninsured if Congress lets the credits expire.
Study Links Steroids, NSAIDs To Prolonged Back Pain
Persistent use of these medications to treat back pain may actually result in prolonged symptoms, according to a new study. Meanwhile, a separate study links inflammation to relief of chronic pain at a cellular level, instead of causing it as is often thought.
Judges Strike Down California’s Under-21 Ban On Semiautomatic Rifle Sales
Saying it violated the constitutional rights of those aged 18 to 20 to bear arms, a panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit overruled a lower court that allowed California’s ban on such sales to young adults to stand.
Formula Shortage Could Soon Get Boost By Abbott Production Restart
If approved to do so by the FDA, Abbott Laboratories says they may be able to resume infant formula production within two weeks. Meanwhile, parents go to great lengths to find supplies for their babies amid the global shortage.
Merger Of Advocate Aurora, Atrium To Create Giant $27 Billion Health System
Not-for-profit providers Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health announced plans to team up to create a new health system that will run 67 hospitals across six states.
Proportion Of Covid Deaths Among Vaccinated On The Rise
Experts tell ABC News that the increase in breakthrough deaths is expected as more people reach full vaccination status and as time grows since people’s first doses. Other vaccine research looks at mix-and-match mRNA vaccines and Moderna’s efficacy for kids.
Biden-Hosted Summit Aims To Shore Up Faltering World Pandemic Resolve
The U.S. is co-hosting the second global covid summit amid underperforming efforts to vaccinate more people. But the White House’s impasses with Congress over additional funding limits America’s future contributions to international efforts.
