Latest KFF Health News Stories
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.
Texas Cut Medicaid Staffing — Soon This May Cause Problems For Signups
According to a report, during the pandemic, Texas cut the number of people working in Medicaid services even as a million Texans gained coverage due to emergency federal funding. Now, staffing issues may affect an expected flood of new and returning applicants.
Report Warns Of Risk Amid Rise Of Some Alternative Birth Practices
NBC News reports on concerns over rising interest in “lotus” births, placenta consumption, and other alternative birth practices, and how a clinical report suggests doctors should advise parents on their risks. Miscarriages, PCBs in a school, and a teen raising money for a hospital are also in the news.
If Your At-Home Covid Test Freezes During Delivery, It’ll Be OK If Thawed
The Anchorage Daily News covers concerns over low temperatures affecting free federal covid tests being delivered by mail, with health officials saying frozen tests are likely OK if warmed up and thawed. In other news, Elton John postponed some U.S. shows after testing positive for covid.
In 2020, More Michiganders Died Than Were Born, For The First Time Ever
The difference between the birth and death figures, the first in the state’s recorded history, was worsened by deaths from covid. Meanwhile, in U.S. daily deaths from covid may have reached the highest level since early 2021, and there are covid spikes in places like Maryland and Utah.
Bracing For Next Pandemic: Senators Want To Investigate How Covid Was Handled
Senate health committee chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and ranking member Richard Burr (R-N.C.) released their proposal for looking into the federal government’s response to the current pandemic, in order to learn lessons for the next one. Separately, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra is criticized for a perceived lack of leadership during the latest covid surge.
Omicron Found To Cause Shorter Hospital Stays, Fewer Deaths
Furthering recent reports that omicron-variant covid is less severe than previous versions like delta, a new U.S. study shows that the virus causes less impact on the hospital system and fewer fatalities. Meanwhile concerns about a “stealth” variant of omicron spread, though there’s no need to panic.
These 4 Things May Raise Your Chance Of Getting Long Covid, Researchers Say
They are: 1) the level of coronavirus RNA in the blood early in the infection; 2) the presence of certain autoantibodies that mistakenly attack tissues in the body; 3) the reactivation of Epstein-Barr virus; and 4) having Type 2 diabetes.
Drugs That Do Work Against Omicron Are Scarce And Tricky To Access
While Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis criticizes the FDA’s decision to halt authorization for two monoclonal antibody drugs that are ineffective against omicron, the antibody treatments and antivirals that do help treat the covid variant are in short supply. News outlets offer tips on how to find them.
Booster Shots Have Gone Into Arms Of Just 40% Of Americans
Though the benefit of vaccine boosters is proven, news outlets report on the “faltering” drive to persuade citizens to go and get the shots. Meanwhile, reports say 80% of staff in nursing homes are vaccinated, and Wisconsin’s Assembly is trying to ban vaccine passports.
New Yorkers Must Wear Masks For Now
An appeals judge temporarily upheld the policy a day after a lower-court judge struck it down. In other mask news, football fans will be given KN95 masks at Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles.
OSHA Rescinds Employer Vaccine-Or-Test Rule Blocked By Supreme Court
The Biden administration withdrew its order that would have required about 84 million private employees to be vaccinated or test weekly for covid. OSHA says it’s working on a revised version of the rule.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: How To Help Youth Handle Mental Health Struggles; Time To Revisit Quality Of Life Issue
Editorial writers examine these public health issues.
Different Takes: It’s Time To Switch Our Focus To Covid Treatments; N95 Masks Don’t Work On Kids
Opinion writers delve into these covid and covid related topics.
If You’re A Vaccinated Tourist, The UK Soon Won’t Ask You To Test, Too
Britain will soon drop covid testing requirements for inbound visitors, as long as they’re vaccinated. In other news, Pfizer is pressed to make its covid pill more accessible for poorer nations, and in Israel the government is being advised to give fourth shots to some vulnerable people.
