Latest KFF Health News Stories
800,000 Lost. And US Covid Deaths Marching Toward 1 Million.
As Americans families gather around holiday tables this season, more than 800,000 will be missing due to the covid pandemic — 163,000 of which could likely have been avoided with vaccinations, an analysis estimates. Health experts forecast that the U.S. will hit 1,000,000 deaths — and more quickly than previously expected at the latest rate of hospitalization.
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid issues.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages tackle these public health issues.
Different Takes: Is Omicron The Next Common Cold?; Current Covid Vaccine Production Needs New Model
Opinion writers delve into these covid and vaccine issues.
UK Steps Up Vaccine Efforts To Combat Omicron
News outlets report on “long lines” of people waiting outside vaccination centers in England, as part of the government’s goal to get all adults vaccinated with boosters. Soccer stadiums are being used as vaccination sites. Other news includes Moderna production in Australia and covid-linked depression.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Hit Song Actually Saved Lives
As “1-800-273-8255” hit the charts, studies show the Lifeline received more calls and suicides decreased. Other mental health matters in the news include an unarmed crisis response pilot program in Minneapolis, and a plea for more mental health support for students in Cincinnati.
Oregon Plans To Skirt Covering Drugs Like Aduhelm Under Medicaid
Oregon is seeking a way to avoid having to pay for drugs (like Aduhelm) approved through a fast-track route. In other news, the first seasonal flu death of a child in Mississippi is reported, and thousands remain without heat and water in Kentucky after the tornados.
Cutting US Vehicle Emissions Saved Thousands Of Lives: Study
Researches from Harvard University examined the impact of declining vehicle emissions over a decade, concluding that thousands of lives and hundreds of billions of dollars were saved. Separately, a recall of ham and pepperoni products over listeria worries jumped to 2.3 million pounds of meat.
Six Former FDA Commissioners Endorse Biden Nominee Califf
Meanwhile, an international coalition of pharma regulators is recommending expanding the use of remote pharma plant inspections. Also: Global Blood Therapeutics’ experimental sickle-cell drug has promising results, as does Bellus Health’s chronic cough treatment.
Senate Throws Out House’s Plans To Eliminate Some Hospital Funding
The Senate’s bill to fund President Joe Biden’s social spending package does not include cuts in Medicaid funding for hospitals that treat large numbers of low-income and uninsured patients in states that haven’t expanded their Medicaid program. The House’s bill reduced that funding because it noted the legislation would provide insurance to people who would have qualified for the expansion. Meanwhile, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), the chairman of the Finance Committee, asks Medicare to reduce its planned premium increase.
FDA Assessing Risk To Pregnancies From Merck’s Covid Pill
Molnupiravir was supported by a Food and Drug Administration expert panel two weeks ago, but regulators are still concerned of DNA mutation risks during pregnancy. And in concerning news from China, a study says 10% of covid patients may have had incubation periods longer than 14 days.
Air Force First To Discharge Service Members For Refusing Covid Shots
Twenty-seven Air Force active duty personnel have been involuntarily discharged for breaking a covid vaccine mandate. Meanwhile, the NFL is now demanding coaches and team staff also get covid shots. In Houston, the Texas Children’s Hospital is aiming at vaccinating 5,000 people this Friday.
US Topped 50 Million Confirmed Covid Cases Monday
The total is more than the population of Spain. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, said covid vaccines spelled the “end of the medical emergency,” and he won’t issue a statewide mask mandate. Separately, the 800,000-plus Americans who’ve died from covid so far will be honored at the Capitol.
Some Hospitals, Watching Lower Court Decisions, Drop Staff Vaccine Mandates
After a federal court temporarily halted an administration requirement that all hospital workers be vaccinated, some hospitals struggling to retain enough nurses, technicians and even janitors are dropping plans to implement the mandate. Meanwhile, hospitals in the Northeast and Midwest report high numbers of covid patients.
Indoor Mask Requirement Returns In California Over Omicron Fears
California joins New York in bringing back inside face covering rules, as more localities reinstitute covid mitigation strategies. Elsewhere, Philadelphia will require that proof of vaccination to eat inside at restaurants.
Supreme Court Refuses To Stop Vaccine Mandate For NY Health Workers
Health workers challenged the state covid vaccination requirement because it does not accommodate religious exemptions. As they have done in a previous case, the Supreme Court justices denied the emergency appeal to halt the mandate.
Some Health Services Are In Biden’s Plan To Streamline Customer Service
Among the procedures affected by the president’s efforts to improve consumers’ interactions are more telehealth options, better maternal health delivery, improvements in Medicare’s online portal and more coordination for veterans’ health care services.
‘Breaking Point’: Medical Costs Drive More Americans To Push Off Care
A new survey finds a big spike in the number of people who say they have skipped health care services because of affordability. While the problem impacts low-income families disproportionately, it’s also touching higher income groups too.
New Omicron Study Has Good News, Bad News
A study from South Africa released Tuesday showed that two doses of Pfizer vaccine may offer 70% protection from severe illness. It also showed that omicron seems to cause less-severe illness than earlier variants. However, as scientists suspected, the variant is substantially more contagious and appears able to reinfect people who had an earlier variant.
