Latest KFF Health News Stories
Impact of Hospitals’ Covid Relief Funds Assessed
Federal relief money to hospitals during the earlier stages of the pandemic bolstered the finances of most hospitals. But four studies found that the temporary federal funding may have made many rural hospitals appear more financially stable than they really are.
Studies: Omicron Infection Protects As Well As Booster Shot
An omicron covid infection might leave you with more protection than a second booster, say two new studies. German biotechnology company BioNTech and the University of Washington in collaboration with Vir Biotechnology placed the results on a preprint server. And in other covid vaccination news, an Ohio university approved 94% of its vaccine exemption requests.
Starbucks Joins List Of Companies Covering Abortion Travel Costs
The coffee company said it will pay for travel expenses for U.S. employees seeking abortions if they’re unavailable within 100 miles of home. It will pay, similarly, for access to gender-confirmation procedures. Payments extend to dependents of employees on the company health care plan.
Scientists Say Yes, You Can Catch Covid Many Times; It May Become Normal
A somewhat bleak report in The New York Times covers scientific opinion on the future of covid: Covid shows no sign of just fading away. It’s adept at reinfecting people, and it’s likely numerous infection waves will be a recurring pattern every year. Meanwhile, covid cases are surging.
FDA OKs At-Home Combined Test For Covid, Flu, And RSV
The new tests, made by Labcorp, are the first non-prescription tests permitted to test for covid, influenza A and B, and respiratory syncytial virus. Meanwhile, in a somewhat surprising move, the White House again offered a round of free regular at-home tests for covid.
Now It’s Tragically Official: A Million Americans Have Died From Covid
The number is hard to imagine: AP says it’s equal to a 9/11 attack every day for 336 days. The Wall Street Journal notes that disproportionately many of the dead are in some nonwhite groups.
Biden Signs Law Banning Baby Sleep Products Linked To Deaths
Inclined sleepers and crib bumpers, linked to more than 200 infant deaths, are no longer allowed to be manufactured or sold in the U.S. thanks to the Safe Sleep for Babies Act. The Bay Area News Group tackles the complex issue of whether babies sleeping in car seats, strollers, or slings are similarly at risk.
Baby Formula Import Rules Eased; Abbott Steps Up US Production
Media outlets cover the Biden administration’s efforts to ease the crunch in the U.S. baby formula supply, which followed a closure of an Abbott factory because of concerns about contamination. Import rules for foreign-sourced formula were eased. Abbott and other makers are boosting U.S. production.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers delve into covid vaccines and variants as well as nursing issues.
Viewpoints: Menstrual Stigma Prevents Women From Receiving Proper Care
Editorial writers examine these public health topics.
Kim Jong Un: North Korean Covid Outbreak Is Officials’ Fault
The North Korean leader said experts didn’t carry out his orders relating to public health. Meanwhile in Shanghai, authorities plan to ease restrictions as a recent covid surge comes under control, but in New Zealand, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, lauded for early pandemic successes, now has covid.
Eli Lilly Type-2 Diabetes Drug Mounjaro Gains FDA Approval
A company press release about the drug noted it was more effective than other treatments for diabetes that were studied. The injected drug lowers blood sugar and can help weight loss. Other pharmaceutical news includes reforms to FDA regulation of dietary supplements, plus race and AI in X-ray analysis.
Federal Judge Blocks Alabama Anti-Trans Youth Medication Law
A law in Alabama had made prescribing gender-affirming meds to a transgender minor a felony, but a preliminary injunction to block its enforcement is now in place during a lawsuit. Also: approval for hospital visitors in Missouri, a Pennsylvania Senate candidate’s stroke, and more.
Staff Allegedly Invented Diagnoses To Justify Treatments In Colorado Mental Facility
“Bogus patient evaluations” were intentionally written by workers at the Mind Springs Health facility, whistleblowers say, and other poor practices allegedly included made-up diagnoses to justify expensive Medicaid-supported treatments.
Study Finds Link Between SIDS Risk And Biochemical Marker
Fox News covers a promising development in the battle against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. But the ongoing pediatric hepatitis outbreak is still puzzling experts, Stat reports, even though researchers have realized it echoes a similar confusing surge in acute flaccid myelitis in children.
Americans Still Tussling Over Mask, Vaccine Mandates And Bans
In Kansas, the Democratic governor vetoed a Republican-led bill to ban mask mandates. And at the Air Force Academy, four cadets will not be able to graduate or take up their commissions since they refused a vaccine mandate. Media outlets cover other battles over these covid protections.
Pfizer Says Its Vaccine Saved At Least 110,000 Lives In 2021
Health experts say these types of studies are essential in the face of skepticism and misinformation because it’s important for people to understand that vaccines save lives. And a lot of soul-searching in the media as America passes the million-deaths milestone and Dr. Anthony Fauci says he would not work with Donald Trump again.
No Jail Time For Convicted Nurse
RaDonda Vaught, convicted of two felonies after accidentally poisoning a patient, is given probation rather than jail time. Her prosecution angered nurses across the country.
Spotlight On Failure Of Mental Health System To Stop Accused Buffalo Shooter
Reports say the 18-year-old white man accused of a racially-motivated shooting spree had previously made threatening comments that resulted in a brief mental health hospitalization. Media outlets cover the possibility that a chance to avert the massacre was missed.
