Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: How To Help Nurses Dealing With PTSD; Options For Fighting Texas Anti-Abortion Law
Editorial pages examine these public health issues.
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid and vaccine issues.
Perspectives: In Taking On Big Pharma, Biden Needs To Channel FDR’s Grit
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Mauritius Set To Offer Covid Booster Shots To Fully Vaxxed People
The country will become the second in Africa to offer boosters. Thailand, meanwhile, said its studies of combination inoculations showed best results for a second-shot dose of Pfizer’s vaccine after a Sinovac or AstraZeneca first shot. China, Japan, Germany and Russia are also in the news.
Wet Season Pushes West Nile Virus Risk To Record Highs In Arizona
Through the end of last week, Arizona had reported 123 cases of West Nile Virus, which is spread by mosquitos, and four deaths. Meanwhile, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports on alerts about mosquito-, fly- and vermin-borne illness risks as the local trash pickup crisis continues.
Poll: About 1 In 10 Adults Have Skipped A Pill In The Past Year To Save Money
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Later-Life Cognitive Decline In Women Linked To Earlier Sexual Assaults
CNN reports on a new study that found higher levels of white matter hyperintensities, indicative of blood flow disruption, in brain scans of women who’d been sexually assaulted earlier in life. Separately, studies show the U.S. birth rate may have bounced back from pandemic-induced lows.
Apple Researching Tech To Track, Predict Depression, Cognitive Decline
The Wall Street Journal reports on studies using Apple’s devices, including sensors in Apple Watch, that examine neurological or mood disorders and could lead to new tools to help sufferers. Separately, slow sales of Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm push maker Biogen to look at cost-cutting.
Florida’s Nursing Staff Crisis Prompts Hospital Admins To Ask For State Help
Health News Florida covers efforts by local hospital administrators to deal with nursing shortages. Separately, reports say the gap between health insurer CEO pay and that of regular employees has narrowed. Dignity Health, Walgreens Boots, Johns Hopkins Bayview and more are also in the news.
Investigation Finds Medicare Insurers Drew $9.2B From Controversial Billing Practices
The Wall Street Journal reports on an investigation from Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services that also determined that half of that money went to 20 insurers. Other Medicare and Medicaid developments are also in today’s news.
Havana Syndrome Diplomats Face Disbelief, But Aid Bill Progresses
The House unanimously passed a bill to aid sufferers of the mysterious Havana Syndrome, sending it next to the president’s desk. But news outlets report that some diplomats and staff affected by the brain-injuring syndrome are facing skepticism when they describe the effects.
Congress Wades Back Into Battle Over Abortion Rights
A bill called the “Women’s Health Protection Act,” which advanced in the House Tuesday, aims to respond to restrictive laws enacted in the states. But even if it were to pass, the legislation is unlikely to progress in the Senate. Meanwhile, another Texas law now bans abortion-inducing drugs after seven weeks.
Drug Pricing Vote Set To Challenge Moderate Democrats’ Opposition
As Democrats scramble to salvage President Joe Biden’s domestic agenda, outlined in dual spending packages, House leaders plan a showdown vote on a drug pricing measure that has held up progress. Meanwhile, lawmakers are staring over the edge of a fiscal cliff with a debt ceiling stalemate and threat of a partial governement shutdown.
Nanobody Immune Therapy From Llamas Shows Anti-Covid Promise
Nanobodies are similar to antibodies, but are smaller, simpler and produced naturally in llamas and camels when they suffer infections. A llama called Fifi is the source of a promising new covid therapy. Meanwhile, a drug already approved to treat gout may also be useful against covid.
Feds Begin Probe Of Texas Mask Ban On Behalf Of Those With Disabilities
The investigation comes amid a legal back-and-forth on preventing public schools from mandating face coverings for students. Other mask news is from Kentucky, Michigan, Georgia, Iowa, California and Pennsylvania.
Covid Infections: ‘Cautious’ Analysis Shows A Much Quieter Winter, Spring
The most likely scenario, NPR reported, is that kids get the vaccine and overall deaths in the U.S. will fall to fewer than 100 a day by March. For now, though, deaths are averaging more than 1,900 a day.
Biden Doubles Vaccine Purchases To Share, Will Host Global Summit
The White House is convening a virtual vaccine summit today with global leaders and health officials. President Joe Biden is expected to announce that the U.S. will buy 500 million additional Pfizer doses to donate to other countries, according to sources, and will urge well-off nations to share more. One notable absence at the event will be Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Boosters For All Or Boosters For Some: FDA Set To Decide Strategy Today
On Friday, a Food and Drug Administration advisory panel argued against broad rollouts for covid boosters. Meanwhile, reports say the race gap in vaccination in the U.S. may be bigger than previously thought. Efforts to persuade the unvaxxed, the spread of covid misinfo and more are also reported.
Unvaxxed Health Staff Allowed, In Some Cases, To Work In Rhode Island
If there’s a risk to quality of care in the case of a health worker’s absence, the state’s Department of Health has decided they can still work even if unvaccinated — a change to its vaccine mandate policy. In North Carolina, Novant Health says it suspended “hundreds” of staff for flouting vaccine rules.
