Morning Breakouts

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Covid Outbreak Spreading To Local Civilians From US Bases In Japan

Morning Briefing

An outbreak of covid traced to U.S. military bases may prompt the declaration of an emergency on the island of Okinawa. Meanwhile, the British government says it can “ride out” the omicron wave with no strict lockdowns, and in South Africa the omicron wave may have peaked.

Faulty Drug Tests Led To Unjust Penalties For 1,600 NY Prisoners

Morning Briefing

In other news, when the recreational cannabis market opened in Montana, over $1.5 million in sales happened on the first weekend. But other reports say medical marijuana shortages may be expected due to the recreational market’s opening.

Sex Abuse Survivors Reject Boy Scouts’ $2.7B Payout Offer

Morning Briefing

Seventy-five percent of the nearly 54,000 claimants in the case needed to approve the payout, but just 73% did. Meanwhile, as the surprise medical billing law comes into effect, some lawmakers are already pushing for changes to the process, to “line up” with what they say was Congress’ intent.

3 Major Drugmakers Donating Again To Lawmakers Who Denied Biden’s Election

Morning Briefing

A report in Stat says Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer gave tens of thousands of dollars to Republican members of Congress who voted against certifying the 2020 election, despite pledges to cut off funds. Among other industry news: a tussle between Applied Therapeutics and short sellers and how telehealth companies cut costs.

Colorado Hospital Shuttered Because Of Wildfire Smoke Damage

Morning Briefing

The Marshall fire has forced the closure of Centura-Avista Adventist (the only full-service hospital in Louisville, Colorado) for the “foreseeable future.” Separately, a hospital in Philadelphia closes its birthing unit, HCA Healthcare is buying the largest urgent care network in Florida and more.

Chicago Teachers Union Vote Prompts Schools To Cancel In-Person Classes

Morning Briefing

The Chicago Teachers Union alleged that conditions were “unsafe” for in-person lessons, which resumed Monday. Meanwhile, Florida experienced thousands of absences of staff and students due to covid infections, and testing in California found hundreds of student cases before school reopening.

Police, Local Governments Step In As Testing Sites Careen Out Of Control

Morning Briefing

To combat line-cutting, fights, traffic jams and shortages, some cities are setting up security at covid testing locations while others are limiting the number of tests available. In other news, Walmart and Kroger are upping the price of BinaxNOW tests.

No Testing Added As CDC Tries To Clarify Shorter Isolation Guidelines

Morning Briefing

There had been signals that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would layer in a negative test to its recommendations for when someone with covid can stop isolating. The agency stopped short of making that change and instead laid out the science behind its guidance of 5 days of isolation followed by 5 days of masking — for all, including kids.

CDC Reduces Booster Shot Gap To Five Months For Pfizer Vaccine

Morning Briefing

On Monday the Food and Drug Administration authorized the change to 5 months from 6, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention quickly agreed. An Israeli study, meanwhile, shows a fourth dose of Pfizer’s covid vaccine causes a fivefold rise in antibodies a week after the shot.

Study: Infants Born In Early Pandemic Have Slight Lag In Motor, Social Skills

Morning Briefing

The study, in JAMA Pediatrics, followed 255 babies born from March to December 2020 in New York City, NBC News reports. The authors stressed that the results may not indicate long-term delays in development.

As Omicron Dominates New Cases, Strain On Some ICUs May Be Easing

Morning Briefing

While covid infections remain at record levels, the number of people hospitalized is fortunately not following the same trend line, as it’s done previously in the pandemic. Health officials say that’s due to vaccinations and that omicron appears to be causing less severe illness than previous variations of the virus.

Biden Tells Vaccinated: Be Concerned, ‘Not Alarmed’ Over Omicron Spike

Morning Briefing

For those who have not had the covid vaccine yet, President Joe Biden pleaded with them to reconsider during his pandemic remarks. He urged all to wear masks and take precautions during the “challenging” weeks ahead, but said that in-person schooling should continue.

Texas Abortion Providers Seek To Untangle Supreme Court Appeals Case

Morning Briefing

Providers say a federal appeals court is blocking their challenge to Texas’ strict anti-abortion law. Meanwhile, in California, a large-scale sewage spill has cleared enough for some beaches to reopen, but in Wisconsin another town has drinking water challenges after finding “forever” chemicals.