Morning Breakouts

Latest KFF Health News Stories

All Incoming Flights From US, UK, 6 More Nations Barred By Hong Kong

Morning Briefing

Incoming flights from Canada, Australia, France, India, Pakistan and the Philippines are also banned under Hong Kong’s “zero covid” restrictions. In Europe, the daily case rate hit a million for the first time, with France alone hitting nearly a third of a million cases Wednesday.

Federal Appeals Court To Hear Case Against Texas Abortion Law Again

Morning Briefing

The case centers on whether state medical licensing officials can discipline medical personnel for performing abortions after the six-week limit. In other news, contradictory state laws aimed at halting drug overdoses, mental health care after Kentucky’s tornado, National Guard suicides and more.

EPA Expands Dangerous Air Pollutant List For First Time In Over 30 Years

Morning Briefing

The addition is 1-bromopropane, a dry-cleaning chemical suspected to cause nerve damage and cancer. Also: algorithmic overtreatment for Black heart patients, the “Disney Stress Test”, parental quality time with kids, extra food benefits in Texas and questions over end-of-life planning.

Preeclampsia Discovery Raises Hopes For Future Blood Test

Morning Briefing

Researchers have shown RNA molecules from a pregnant person’s blood could predict the dangerous condition months before symptoms appear. Separately, hedgehogs have been found to be a source of drug-resistant bacteria, rocking conventional ideas about the risky infections.

Study: If A Male Surgeon Operates On Them, Women Risk Worse Outcomes

Morning Briefing

The higher risk of an adverse outcome was discovered by a study of over 1.3 million patients in Canada. Nursing homes in Massachusetts are at a “tipping point” from staff shortages, and a Modern Healthcare report warns tensions between medical employers and staff will stay high this year.

Medicaid Expansion Question Makes South Dakota’s November Ballot

Morning Briefing

South Dakota voters will decide in November whether the state should become the 39th to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, a move that would provide coverage to 42,000 low-income residents.

Chicago Schools Shut For Second Day; White House Argues They’re Safe

Morning Briefing

A tussle between a teachers union in Chicago and Mayor Lori Lightfoot has continued, with in-person teaching vetoed by the union for the second day over covid safety rules. The battle reached the White House, with press secretary Jen Psaki telling reporters schools can open safely.

To Protect Patients Mayo Clinic Fires 1% Of Its Staff: The Vax-Refusers

Morning Briefing

Around 1% of roughly 73,000 employees were terminated for non-compliance with a covid vaccine mandate, as the Mayo Clinic takes “all steps necessary” to keep “patients, workforce, visitors and communities safe.” Separately, nurses unions sue the Biden admin over lapsing covid protections.

Every Cruise Sailing In US Waters Has Covid Cases Aboard

Morning Briefing

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show all 92 ships with passengers aboard are due investigation over covid cases. Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line have already canceled some sailings as fears of the omicron covid variant rise.

When Flu And Covid Collide: Doctors Worry About Potential For ‘Twindemic’

Morning Briefing

“Flurona.” It’s a snappy term some medical professionals are not fond of (though news editors and social media users clearly are). Yet, doctors are concerned about the rising cases of people infected with both influenza and the coronavirus.

Don’t Get Complacent About Omicron, Fauci Urges

Morning Briefing

Despite reports that omicron is a milder strain than delta, everyone needs to stay vigilant about wearing masks and protecting themselves, the infectious-disease expert says. And another medical expert says, “The next month is going to be awful.”

Vaccine Hesitancy Linked To Lack Of High School Education, Study Finds

Morning Briefing

A team led by University of North Carolina researchers concluded that “determining a strategy for decreasing hesitancy among less well-educated citizens appears to be the top challenge.” As CIDRAP reports, the top reasons for covid vaccine hesitancy were a lack of trust in the jabs, worries about side effects and low trust in the government.

Can At-Home Tests Detect Omicron Early Enough? Study Raises Doubt

Morning Briefing

In the small study, a group of people who tested positive for covid via a PCR test, tested negative with rapid antigen tests — ones most commonly used at home. The lag could lead to people unknowingly exposing others to the virus.

‘Fully Vaccinated’ Without A Booster? CDC Says Yes, Isn’t Updating Definition

Morning Briefing

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is sticking with its current classifications: If you’ve completed your primary series of covid vaccinations, you’re considered “fully vaccinated.” If you’ve had a booster shot, you’re “up to date.”

All Kids 12 And Older Can Now Get A Pfizer Covid Booster Shot

Morning Briefing

With final sign-off from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to expand third Pfizer shots to ages 12 to 15, the Biden administration is urging adolescents to get their booster in order to combat omicron. Especially as more children are being hospitalized.