Latest KFF Health News Stories
Biden To Unveil Strategy Aimed At Ending HIV Epidemic By 2030
On World AIDS Day, President Joe Biden is set to direct federal efforts toward the ambitious goal. He also wants to direct resources toward aiding an aging population living with HIV. News outlets explore other global progress made against the virus.
Booming Social Media Drug Trade Is Dangerous Door For Teens
News outlets also cover safe sites for drug users. In other public health coverage: mumps, water safety, wellness trends and covid orphans.
Oxford Scientists Say No Proof Omicron Resists Current Shots
In an optimistic note, the University of Oxford said that even though other covid variants have arrived over the last year, vaccines have offered ongoing protection, and there’s no evidence omicron will be different. Meanwhile, it seems omicron hit Europe earlier than thought.
US Announces New Covid Surveillance Measures At 4 Key Airports
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, says the enhanced screening at New York, Atlanta, Newark and San Francisco airports will include increased testing for some international travelers. Meanwhile, groups representing pharmacists are asking Medicare officials to make the program’s drug plans pay for counseling patients and dispensing oral antiviral medications that treat covid.
Even Before Omicron Arrives, Covid Surges Again
Arkansas say its biggest one-day jump in covid cases since September (possibly from delayed testing after Thanksgiving), Indiana is seeing a surge and Vermont’s hospitalizations are at a record high. Meanwhile, Amazon is accused of underreporting its covid infection figures.
As Labs Hunt For Omicron, CDC Director Says US Better Prepared
The CDC’s Dr. Rochelle Walensky noted we have “far more tools” to battle a covid variant than last year. Separately, Dr. Anthony Fauci said it was likely current vaccines would still offer some protection. Meanwhile, testing labs are hunting for signs of omicron’s arrival.
FDA OKs Merck’s Antiviral Covid Drug
The vote was 13 for and 10 against, so the first-of-its-kind drug was narrowly approved. Merck also said it should be effective against the new omicron variant. Meanwhile, Regeneron’s antibody treatment may not be, according to the company.
Federal Vaccine Mandates Hit With Two More Legal Setbacks
The covid vaccination requirement that all health workers at facilities that get CMS funding is now on hold nationally. And in a separate case, a judge granted a preliminary injunction against the rule mandating the shot for all federal contractors. That case impacts Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee.
First Edition: December 1, 2021
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers delve into these covid topics.
Viewpoints: Tackling The Rural Doctor Shortage; Collective Intelligence Can Eliminate Medical Bias
Editorial writers delve into these public health issues.
UK Steps Up Booster Program; China And India Will Vaccinate Africa
In the face of the new omicron variant, the U.K. government has extended its vaccine booster program to everyone 18 and up. Also, Germany may lock down the unvaccinated, Greece will fine unvaccinated people over 60, and hundreds of millions of shots will go to Africa from India and China.
Boosters Less Likely Among LA’s Poor; Oregon Pays Pharmacies To Give Shots
Poorer neighborhoods in Los Angeles county are found to have a much lower percentage of booster shots than other areas. Meanwhile, in Oregon the Health Authority is trying to incentivize the vaccine program by offering to pay pharmacies $35 for each covid shot given.
Medicare Patients See General Practitioners Like Private Insurance Holders
A new study says Medicaid recipients were as likely as those with private health insurance to have seen a general practitioner in 2019. In other industry news, a jury said United Healthcare underpaid TeamHealth for emergency services and a South Korean maker of monoclonal antibodies to treat covid signs deals with nine European countries.
Self-Replicating Robots Created From Frog Bits
Scientists presented studies on the impacts of covid including damage to the brain and central nervous system and covid reinfections, but more attention was focused on scientists who say they created self-replicating robots from the heart and skin stem cells of frogs.
Abortion Rights Question Returns To Supreme Court
Justices will hear arguments Wednesday about a Mississippi abortion law that could overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade case.
Toxic Fumes From Gas Drilling Sites Spur Worry In Texas
Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported a case of novel H1 flu in Oklahoma, the second novel case of the season. Faux erectile dysfunction drugs, McDonald’s, Dallas Cowboy’s head coach and service dogs helping vets are also in the news.
High Court Heard Medicare Formula Arguments
The Supreme Court heard arguments about the Health and Human Services Department implementation of the formula for disproportionate share hospital calculations, determined by measuring the number of inpatient hospital days for which a patient is entitled to Medicare Part A and supplemental security income benefits. And another Republican attack on Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Biden’s Health Worker Vax Mandate Blocked In 10 States
Thousands of unvaccinated health workers would have been covered by the White House’s covid shot mandate, but in 10 states they are now at least temporarily unaffected after a federal judge’s ruling. Meanwhile, the Pentagon says Oklahoma National Guards must get shots.
WHO Warns Omicron A ‘Very High Risk’ As Infections Spread
New outlets cover new omicron covid cases detected around the world, with Canada now up to five cases. In South Africa doctors are urging caution against panic: The new variant was first detected there, and kids under 2 are now 10% of hospital admissions in the epicenter.
