Latest KFF Health News Stories
Warning Sign Of Next Wave? Experts Monitor Rise In Europe’s Covid Cases
Coronavirus infections are up in places like the United Kingdom and the Netherlands — spots that have experienced spikes just before similar ones hit the U.S.
Pfizer CEO Says Fourth Covid Shot ‘Necessary’ To Fend Off Future Variants
Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla told CBS News that the protection from the booster dose of its covid vaccine doesn’t last long enough and that the company is working on a vaccine that will hold up against all current and new variants.
Two Years Of Health Emergency: From ‘In This Together’ To Covid Culture War
As the pandemic calendar flips into its third year of disrupted life — and the U.S. approaches a ghastly milestone of 1 million deaths — news outlets look back on the early days of the crisis and ahead to how covid will next impact the nation.
Former President Obama Tests Positive For Covid
Barack Obama announced, “I’ve had a scratchy throat for a couple days, but am feeling fine otherwise. Michelle and I are grateful to be vaccinated and boosted, and she has tested negative.”
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Missouri Hopes To Restrict Abortions Outside Of State; How To Reduce Insulin Costs
Editorial writers tackle these public health issues.
Different Takes: Covid Appears To Affect The Brain; What Our Covid Future May Look Like
Opinion writers delve into these covid topics.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on covid, “bigorexia,” memory loss, the climate crisis, and more.
We’ve Been In A Pandemic For 2 Years, And It’s Not Done
The World Health Organization is still cautioning that covid is a threat, despite the many nations being too speedy to say the pandemic is over and that restrictions can be dropped. Meanwhile in Vietnam, pangolins confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade were found to have covid-related viruses.
US Doctors Helping Ukrainians Seeking Telehealth Advice
Fox News reports on free telehealth services being offered to Ukrainian soldiers, refugees, and others via an app called Aimee. In other Ukraine news, the World Health Organization has said it advised Ukraine to destroy dangerous pathogens in public health labs to prevent “spills.”
Drug Companies Ask For Reopening Of Mexican Border For Blood Plasma
Mexican nationals had been allowed to cross into the U.S. in order to be paid for blood plasma donations, but officials have shut off that route, triggering worries over plasma supply. Separately, antibiotic treatments for simple pneumonia and recurrent urinary infections are also in the news.
Controversial Abortion ‘Reversal’ Bill Advances In S. Carolina
The South Carolina House Judiciary Committee advanced a bill to make doctors tell patients of medication abortions about a method to possibly “reverse” the abortion, a process the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists calls unproved and unethical. In Kentucky, a bill to ban abortions after 15 weeks advanced.
Texas’ Trans Care Investigation Case Going Before Judge Today
While District Judge Amy Clark Meachum is set to hear arguments concerning an investigation into the parents of a trans girl, the Dallas Morning News reports on mixed messages coming from the state’s lawyers. A Texas Tribune report labels state Republicans “bullies” for targeting trans kids and parents.
When The Pandemic Hit, The World Got 25% More Depressed: WHO
A scientific brief from the World Health Organization blamed loneliness, fear of infection, death, and more for the rise of anxiety and depression during 2020. Other mental health issues in the news include shortfalls in aftercare for depression diagnoses, Stanford’s increase of mental care, and more.
$8B Of Covid Aid Was Fraud, But Aid Boosted Pay Of 740k Frontline Workers
Media outlets cover the impact of the massive national covid aid program, including DOJ findings of $8 billion in fraud, discussions over whether it was worthwhile, and how it bumped the pay of around 740,000 workers. Separately, a report says one in five U.S. workers quit their job last year.
White House Extends Mask Mandate For Airlines, Public Transit A Month
The requirement was set to expire March 18 but federal officials said it will continue while health experts examine how to proceed. Meanwhile, lawmakers in Idaho advanced a measure that would ban employers from asking about vaccination status, while Kentucky legislators pushed forward a bill that prevents state and local governments or public colleges from asking for covid vaccination status.
The ‘Deltacron’ Variant — Something To Worry About, Or Just A ‘Scariant’?
Experts say it’s too soon to worry about deltacron and that it appears unlikely to spread as easily as omicron. In other covid news, a database created by the Federation of State Medical Boards shows that at least 26 states have proposed or passed legislation that would make it easier for patients to get ivermectin, USA Today reported.
How Many Have Died From Covid? Toll May Be Triple The Confirmed Tally
The global death toll from the covid-19 pandemic has been alarmingly undercounted, researchers find. They estimate the total to be 18.2 million people.
CMS Expects To Set New Nursing Home Staffing Standards Within A Year
The new minimum staffing requirements are part of a package of measures announced by President Joe Biden to improve nursing home care. Also in the news, USA Today unveils an analysis of how nursing homes across the country fared during five months of the covid pandemic.
Dire White House Warnings Don’t Shake Loose Covid Funds Consensus
The Senate passed the $1.5 trillion omnibus spending bill, yet the path forward to appropriating additional pandemic relief funding remains unsettled. House leaders plan a vote on a standalone bill next week, Politico reports, but Senate support is not secured. And the White House warns that the delay will hurt covid response efforts. News outlets also report on other health measures impacted by the budget.
