Latest KFF Health News Stories
Denmark Decides The Pandemic Is Over
In a move that seems to brand covid an endemic problem, Denmark is going to drop all restrictions and label the virus not a threat to society. England has also lifted restrictions, with recent omicron surges fading, though a report shows the U.K. is suffering racial disparities in vaccines and deaths.
Research Roundup: Covid; Diabetes; BRCA Genes; TB; And More
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Michigan Wants To Investigate Eli Lilly For Excessive Insulin Pricing
The state Attorney General is seeking court approval to investigate the drugmaker, accusing it of overly-high prices that have a “devastating impact” on diabetes-sufferer’s lives. Meanwhile, legal marijuana bills are advancing in Delaware, Mississippi and South Dakota.
Study Finds A Cancer Drug Could Help Quash HIV Infections
Pembrolizumab, also known as Keytruda, may be able to flush out HIV from immune cells in people who’ve controlled their infections. Among other news, a Gilead anti-cancer drug may have hit a serious safety snag in trials, and out-of-pocket expenses for hepatitis B drugs have been rising.
Study Says Gas Stoves Leak All The Time, Threaten Public Health, Climate
Though the study is small-scale and based only on California data, the findings are striking — with permanent leaks from stoves and fittings even when turned off. Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration is being called on to ban BPA in plastics that are in contact with food.
Labor Department Scolds 30 Insurers For Not Covering Mental Health Needs
A government report released Tuesday doesn’t name specific companies but mentioned at least one “large service provider.” One of the most common violations was limitations or exclusions or coverage of therapy for autism, Modern Healthcare reported.
Biden’s Health Worker Covid Vaccine Deadline Arrives
Workers in health care industries in about half the states have until today to get their first shot under the Biden administration’s mandate; Montana’s governor is seeking exemptions where losing staff may jeopardize health care access. And pushback against military vaccination mandates continues.
Omicron Now 99.9% Dominant Variant, Causes More Daily Deaths Than Delta
U.S. daily average deaths from covid are exceeding the peak reached during the height of the earlier delta surge, as data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show the omicron variant is now accounting for 99.9% of all new cases.
White House Diverted Hospital-Helping Covid Funds To Vaccine Drive
Stat reports that nearly $7 billion was shifted from a fund designed to help hospitals and clinics during the stresses of the pandemic and was instead used to buy vaccines and therapeutics. Health worker burnout, Neil Young’s music off Spotify, and a poll about covid staying “forever” are also in the news.
Moderna Tests Omicron Vaccine, Says Original Booster Fades Over 6 Months
Earlier this week, Pfizer began its own trial of an omicron-specific shot. Initial results from that study are expected in the first half of the year; Moderna did not say when it expects to have results.
Capitol Braces For Bruising, But Maybe Not ‘Scorched Earth,’ Confirmation Battle
Democrats’ no-room-for-defection majority in the Senate has White House staffers and congressional members anticipating a rocky path and close vote for whoever is nominated.
Who Will Biden Nominate? Front-Runners Now In The Spotlight
President Joe Biden has previously pledged to name the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court. News outlets profile some of the jurists believed to be on his shortlist.
Liberal Yet Pragmatic, Breyer Shaped Critical Health Care Issues From Bench
With the reports of Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer’s pending retirement, news outlets look back at his 28 years on the nation’s highest court and the role he played in decision-making on critical issues in the U.S.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Different Takes: Start School Later For Healthier Kids; Empowering Teens Who Want To Be Vaccinated
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
Opinion writers examine these covid issues.
Perspectives: CMS Is Protecting Us From Companies That Sell False Hopes
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Mormon Missionaries Quarantined After Bringing Covid To Kiribati
Kiribati’s borders had been closed since almost the beginning of the pandemic, and the island nation had avoided covid until a plane chartered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints arrived recently — despite the returning missionaries following covid protocols and testing.
Mass General Brigham Warned About Its Excessive Spending
The high spending of Mass General Brigham places the entire state health care system at risk, the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission says. The nonprofit hospital must now submit a plan on how it will lower costs stemming from its expensive care.
FDA Rebukes Eli Lilly For ‘Misleading’ Instagram Post About Trulicity
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
