Latest KFF Health News Stories
Missouri GOP Lawmakers Advance Plan To Financially Hamstring Medicaid Expansion
A proposed constitutional amendment passed the state Legislature budget committee that, if eventually approved by voters, would hand over the Medicaid purse strings to lawmakers — imperiling the expansion authorized by a 2020 ballot measure.
HHS, CDC Might Change Method For Counting Covid Cases
Hospitals may be asked to separate the numbers of patients who go there because they have covid from those who test positive after being admitted, Politico reported. Meanwhile, covid cases are generally declining across the U.S., and the death rate may even be starting to follow that trend, too.
New Report Breaks Down Challenges Fueling Deadly US Opioid Crisis
Over 100,000 American lives were lost last year to opioid overdoses — a public health emergency that costs the nation over $1 trillion annually. Those are among the findings of a bipartisan congressional report that identifies Mexico as the “dominant source” of fentanyl and synthetic drugs, and recommends that a new cabinet-level position to tackle the entrenched problem.
Top Science Adviser’s Resignation Shakes Up Biden Health Initiatives
Earlier in the day, it looked like Eric Lander might keep his cabinet-level job, despite a White House investigation that found “credible evidence” he mistreated and bullied his staff and colleagues. Lander’s departure could set back programs he led including President Joe Biden’s “cancer moonshot” and pandemic preparedness.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: New HIV Vaccine Uses mRNA Technology; Ohio HB23 Will Benefit Dementia Patients
Editorial writers examine these public health issues.
Different Takes: A New Look At Convalescent Plasma Versus Covid; Preparing For The Next Variant
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid topics.
After Almost 2 Years, Australia Will Reopen To All Vaxxed Travelers
On Feb. 21, all vaccinated tourists and business travelers will be allowed into the country, which has had some of the toughest pandemic restrictions, AP reported. Also in the news: covid in China and at the Olympics, protests against restrictions in Canada, and more.
Concerns Over Parents’ Rights Bill, Abuse In Kentucky
The Louisville Courier Journal reports on how plans to protect parental rights may impact protections against abuse and neglect of children. Meanwhile in Nashville, a project that paired mental health professionals with police to better deal with certain emergency situations has worked.
Potential Link Between Infant’s Screen Time And Autism
A Fox News report covers a recent Japanese study that suggests male toddlers who saw more TV at age 1 were more likely to be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders at age 3. A separate study says BMI during pregnancy has less impact on the child’s BMI than previously believed.
Scientists Develop Paralysis-Fixing Spinal Cord Implants
The implants use transformed tissue that replicates spinal cord development in embryos. Separately, reports say that patients suffering depression can respond well to transcranial magnetic stimulation. Eli Lilly, drug development at Merck, and future cancer therapies are also in the news.
Shriners Children’s Hospital To Close In Tampa
Meanwhile, University of Chicago Medicine will build a $663 million cancer hospital in the city’s South Side; ConcertoCare has raised $105 million to expand home care services beyond its eight-state business; and integrated academic health system OU Health has named its first CEO.
Animal Study Offers Mixed Results For Omicron-Specific Booster
In a study in primates, an omicron booster shot offered protection against the variant, but it did not appear to offer more protection than the original Moderna vaccine.
Florida Fights Back Against Turning Over Daily Covid Data
A lawsuit alleges the state Department of Health violated public records laws by turning down requests for daily covid figures.
Upstate New York Towns Think Of Secession To Battle Covid Rules
News outlets cover covid rules across the country, including Nevada being among the last nine states with strict indoor mask rules, and the controversy over a recent Johns Hopkins study over the ineffectiveness of lockdowns.
New Website Aims To Streamline Reimbursement For Covid Tests
The site, called Goodbill, uploads your insurance card and the bar codes on the tests and automates the insurance process for the user, according to Crain’s Detroit Business.
More Health Care Hiring In January, Despite Omicron
An estimated 18,000 health care jobs were added in January, up from December’s 14,300 total, even as omicron covid hospitalizations soared. Separately, hospital executives say that recruitment and staff retention is their top priority.
Efforts To Save Califf’s FDA Nomination Pick Up
A group of doctors and public health advocacy organizations are urging senators to confirm Dr. Robert Califf as the next head of the Food and Drug Administration. Califf himself is also trying to reassure key lawmakers that he will work to improve the agency’s accelerated approval process for new drugs.
New Rule Aims To Get Schools Back On Nutritional Track
The Department of Agriculture issued new “bridge” standards Friday for meals served in schools, starting next fall, that are intended to restart efforts to offer healthier food. Stricter government rules were eased during the pandemic.
900,000 Americans Already Lost With Covid Deaths On The Rise
As the nation passed this terrible milestone, President Joe Biden on Friday urged the unvaccinated to reconsider and estimated that over 1 million American lives have been saved by the covid vaccines.
