Latest KFF Health News Stories
VA Watchdog Finds Serious Patient Safety Issues With EHR System
Just weeks before a scheduled rollout to a second hospital, the Department of Veterans Affairs inspector general released three reports Thursday that identify unresolved problems with the agency’s $16 billion update to its massive digital health records system. The safety issues range from medication errors to a lack of safeguards for veterans at high danger of suicide.
States Try To Beat Nurse Staffing Crisis; Nurses Themselves Not To Blame
Media outlets cover ongoing staff shortages in nursing and other medical roles. Las Vegas nurses say it’s not their fault, and Stateline reports on several efforts to boost nursing schools. Modern Healthcare notes daily demands on women in particular make staying in health roles difficult.
Why Hasn’t Biden Taken Another Covid Test This Week?
President Joe Biden has not had a covid test since “last Sunday,” the White House said, despite having close calls this week with two people who have tested positive for covid. As Politico reports, the White House has been vague about whether the president is tested just once a week, or if it varies.
A Covid Mystery: Why Are Some People Good At Avoiding Infection?
Even though the covid virus is highly transmissible, experts believe that taking proper precautions — especially getting vaccinated — and being careful about where you socialize helps many people from getting infected with covid. Genetics may also play a role. And a radio reporter describes the unexpectedly long road to recovery.
Pelosi Pushes For $45 Billion In Covid Aid Amid High-Stakes Stalemate
Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and Dr. Anthony Fauci met with Democratic lawmakers Thursday to plead for additional funding to maintain critical anti-covid vaccine, testing and treatment programs. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi urged the White House to ask for more money than it did in its initial proposal, while she and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer search for a way to get a package passed.
Moderna Asks FDA To Allow All Adults To Get Second Covid Booster
Moderna’s application Thursday for FDA approval of a fourth covid vaccine shot for anyone 18 or older is broader than the one submitted by Pfizer and BioNTech earlier this week, which asked that an additional dose be authorized for people 65 and up. Both applications rely on data from Israel, which news outlets explore further.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers delve into these public health issues.
Opinion writers examine these covid topics, as well as health insurance matters.
As Covid Rules Relax, The Virus Surges Globally
Even as covid restrictions ease around the world, enabling unvaccinated U.S. travelers to enter France for example, covid rates are seen to tick upwards in many places. And White House officials have signaled concern over a “mass” migration event that could be triggered on the Mexican border.
Research Roundup: Autism; Breast Cancer; Fertility; Immune Response
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Ukraine Invasion Having Dire Effect On Pregnancy, Health Services
Media outlets cover the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on people needing health care in the country, including the 80,000 births expected over the next three months and the global threat of nuclear conflict. Separately, the WHO has paused evaluation of Russia’s covid shot.
Florida’s Dietitian Licensing Law Could Go To Federal Appeals Court
Meanwhile, lawmakers in Florida have allowed payments to parents whose children died of traumatic brain injuries received during birth. A protest by the deaf community in Ohio, a doctor taking UT Southwestern to court over its children’s trans care limits, and more are also in the news.
Bigger Cars May Be To Blame For Rise In Pedestrian Deaths, Study Finds
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said 6,519 pedestrians were killed in the U.S. in 2020, the last year for which statistics are available, AP reported. Other health news is on Alzheimer’s disease, fentanyl testing strips, ticks, uranium, and more.
As Surgical Access Falls, Lawmakers Also Target Abortion Pills
A report in The Hill explains how House Democrats have been asking Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to preserve access to abortion medications, even as some states try to block access to the long-approved pills, and as abortion banning-laws advance across the country.
California Bill Would Let Parents Sue If Kids Are Hurt By Social Media
Politico and the Los Angeles Times cover a new bill advanced in the California State Assembly designed to hit social media companies like Instagram and TikTok if they cause harm to young users. Separately, a study shows mental health visits to emergency rooms increase after covid surges.
Great Debate Awakens On Health Benefits Of Nixing Daylight Savings
Most sleep and health experts agree that sticking with one time year round would be beneficial (though some scientists warn about a lack of research.) But which time — the one we have in winter or in summer? That’s where disagreement flares.
Walgreens Accused Of Overcharging For Drugs
A report in Modern Healthcare says Blues plans across the nation are accusing Walgreens of fraud by inflating drug prices to the scale of hundreds of millions of dollars for over a decade. Other drug pricing news includes a battle between the Initiative for Medicines and N.C. Republican Sen. Thom Tillis.
Some Hospitals Found To Have Contradictory Masking Rules
Politico reports on conflicting mask rules found in health settings, including patients being told to replace high-filtering N95 masks with cheap surgical ones. Also: a new surgical glove-making factory, a class action suit against Aetna, laws to combat anti-competitiveness in health care and more.
Food Stamp Fight Prompts Beshear To Veto Bill Ending Ky.’s Covid Emergency
Ending the emergency would also cut food stamp benefits for thousands of residents. In his veto message, the Democratic governor described the General Assembly’s plan as a “callous act” and said it “would severely harm Kentucky families by taking food off their tables,” the Courier Journal reported.
