Latest KFF Health News Stories
White House Spokesperson Reinfected By Covid; Hillary Clinton Tests Positive
A positive covid test is keeping White House press secretary Jen Psaki from another international presidential trip. Announcing her second infection, Psaki said she had two recent “socially distanced meetings” with President Joe Biden — who tested negative Tuesday. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also has covid.
Program That Funds Covid Testing And Treatment For The Uninsured Runs Dry
The provider relief fund, which was created to help hospitals and community health centers seeing decreased revenue or increased expenses because of the pandemic, was launched with more than $100 billion in 2020, and later legislation added about $78 billion.
Fast-Moving Subvariant BA.2 Advancing Toward Dominance In US
A genomics company says that its data shows that “stealth omicron” is already responsible for most new covid infections, while the CDC says it accounts for 1 in 3 cases. As those trends indicate that the highly transmissible subvariant is gaining traction, experts urge the U.S. to prepare.
US Out Of Money For Buying Second Covid Booster Shots, Official Says
Federal officials have secured enough doses to cover a fourth shot for Americans age 65 and older as well as the initial regimen for children under 5, if authorized by regulators, officials told The Washington Post. But the lack of new covid money in the spending bill passed this month by Congress is undermining efforts to stockpile more vaccine doses.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Tennessee Should Remove APRN Restrictions; Vaccine Mandates Are Lawful
Editorial writers examine these public health topics.
Different Takes: Most People Shouldn’t Fret About BA.2; How To Plan For The Next Covid Wave
Opinion writers tackle these covid issues.
Billions Of People Breathe Dirty Air As Every Nation Flunks Health Guideline
A new report says no country has met the World Health Organization’s Air Quality Standard. Meanwhile, Ukraine is set to receive 50 ventilators donated from Maryland, Hong Kong lifts its flight bans, and more.
Overriding Governor’s Veto, Ky. GOP Doubles Down On Cutting Food Stamps
Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear has called the legislation to end the covid emergency — which would result in a large decrease in monthly SNAP benefits — a “cruel bill” that would significantly hurt residents of rural counties. But Republicans in charge instead furthered the myth that welfare recipients don’t want to work. “Help wanted signs are up everywhere,” GOP Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer said in a floor speech. “If you are an able-bodied, healthy Kentuckian, there is no excuse for you to not have a job.”
Court Again Blocks Trans Youth Health Investigations In Texas
Texas’ Third Court of Appeals ruled on a motion filed by the ACLU and Lambda Legal on behalf of a trans teen’s parents who were being investigated under Texas’ controversial new legal push. Meanwhile, reports say the children’s mental health crisis precedes the pandemic arriving in the U.S.
Autonomous Surgical Robot Under Development At Johns Hopkins
Reports say engineers at Johns Hopkins University have been developing a robot that can perform some procedures like blood vessel reattachments without a doctor at the controls. Separately, another Alzheimer’s drug may stretch the FDA’s approval process.
Insurers Increasingly Cut Payment For Consultation Codes
Modern Healthcare reports that more insurers are adopting a policy of denying providers’ claims that include a consultation code. The pandemic’s toll on the medical support community, a shortage of primary care physicians in Michigan and more are also in health industry news.
Judge Says DC Kids Can’t Get Vaxxed Without Parents’ Knowledge
Meanwhile, The New York Times reports that the booster campaign has stalled, with about half of eligible U.S. adults still not boosted as of Monday.
Study: Covid During Pregnancy Significantly Raises Risk Of Complications
Media outlets cover new evidence that catching covid while pregnant poses severe risks, especially when women aren’t vaccinated — in which case complications risks are more than doubled. Separately, the CDC has deemed the infectious omicron BA.2 variant a “variant of concern.”
Covid Infection Can Trigger Type 2 Diabetes In Some People
A large study has found that people who had covid were 40% more likely to receive a new diagnosis of diabetes compared to those who weren’t infected, the Wall Street Journal and others reported.
White House Presses Congress To Act On Critical Covid Funding
The Biden administration says at least $22.5 billion more in pandemic aid funds is needed. An example it cites: existing money would only cover fourth booster shots for people who are immunocompromised.
Ketanji Brown Jackson Tells Panel: I Interpret Law ‘Without Fear Or Favor’
Opening statements dominated the first day of Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson. Topics of focus included judicial philosophies, dark money, and grievances about past court confirmations.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Different Takes: Patients Fear Using Insurance More Than Illness; U.S. Assisted Suicide Needs Review
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health topics.
Viewpoints: What Does Covid Do To The Brain?; How To Create A Broadly Protective Covid Vaccine
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid related issues.
