Latest KFF Health News Stories
Cost Of Testing For Covid Reveals Social Disparities
NPR and NBC News report on how long lines at free covid test sites and scarce at-home tests have driven more people to pay for tests, with potentially high prices. But the ongoing price of testing and masking up is not easy for a significant number of people. Media outlets cover other testing news.
Omicron Can Sneak Past A Second Booster Shot, Study Finds
A study from Israel has complicated implications for the future of covid vaccinations, since it showed that a fourth dose of Pfizer or Moderna can bring a boost in antibodies but not enough to prevent breakthrough infections of the omicron variant. Meanwhile, ivermectin is in the news again.
Instead Of Case Counts, State Officials Emphasizing Hospitalizations, Deaths
Some epidemiologists say case counts should be relied on only as broad indicators of the velocity and direction of the disease’s transmission, Stateline reports. Also: Hospitals in Oklahoma, Arizona and Utah struggle with a crush of covid patients; Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley tests positive for covid; and more.
CDC Says Cloth Masks Don’t Protect Against Covid As Much As N95s, KN95s
The agency clarified its guidance on masks after recently saying that wearing any mask was better than wearing no mask. It also updated its website to say that there is no longer a shortage of N95s and that anyone can wear them without worrying they will be shortchanging health care workers.
Omicron May Not Be At Peak In US Yet, Health Officials Caution
It’s also too soon to know if the covid variant will be the beginning of the end of the pandemic, Dr. Anthony Fauci says: “I would hope that that’s the case. But that would only be the case if we don’t get another variant that eludes the immune response of the prior variant.”
As Walensky Vows Clarity With Public, CDC Slammed For Its Football Warning
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky has come under fire for the agency’s mish-mash of public health guidelines. One recent advisory in particular touched a nerve: A CDC update on Jan. 6 advised schools to cancel football, band and even exercise in communities with high covid transmission rates.
CMS Extends Full Vaccine Deadline For Many Health Workers To March 15
Medical professionals working in one of the 24 states where the vaccine mandate was reinstated by last week’s Supreme Court decision get a few more weeks to get their covid shots — the first must be done by Feb. 14 and the second by March 15. The deadline everywhere else remains Feb. 28 to be fully vaccinated.
Abortion Clinics’ Appeal Path Lengthened As Case Sent To Texas Supreme Court
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a request from health providers to instead return the case to district court. The decision means that Texas’ law effectively banning almost all abortion procedures will remain in effect for additional months as the legal challenge winds its way through the courts.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers delve into these public health topics.
Opinion writers examine these covid issues.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on aging, do-it-yourself health care, HIV and more.
Puerto Rico Mandates Boosters For All Students Over 12
The U.S. territory is suffering a surge driven by the omicron variant, with a positivity rate spiking above 36%, Axios reports. At the same time across the globe, an article in Bloomberg says, the World Health Organization is warning Africa’s weekly covid shot rate needs to rise six-fold to reach the target of 70% vaccination by mid-2022.
California Plans To Permanently Ban Sex-Offending Doctors From Practice
In other news, a wave of fraudulent claims has caused a freeze in claims for disability insurance which the San Francisco Chronicle warns could impact genuine claimants. Meanwhile, Texas is suing to get over $10 million Medicaid payments given to Planned Parenthood to aid poorer patients.
Major Health Firms Invest In Fund To Drive Black-Founded Health Companies
Jumpstart Nova is the first U.S. fund to exclusively target black-founded health care companies, and it has secured input from Eli Lilly, HCA and more. In other news, Medicare payment advisers approved a rise in hospital payments by 2% for 2023, but chose to keep the physician fee schedule static.
Biogen Pushes Back Against Medicare Decision Over Alzheimer’s Drug
The decision to strongly limit the circumstances in which Biogen’s controversial drug can be used has caused the drugmaker to urge patients and doctors to “show their disapproval,” Bloomberg reports. Other news outlets cover the fallout from the Medicare decision, including confusion over costs.
Research Links Epstein-Barr Virus To Multiple Sclerosis
In a fascinating breakthrough, Harvard researchers have found that the common Epstein-Barr virus (a common herpes virus) may cause multiple sclerosis. In other news, UCLA scientists have made a step forward in combating HIV by targeting dormant antiretrovirals found in cells.
Pig Heart Recipient Has Violent Past — Should That Matter? Doctors Say No
News reports have unearthed that patient David Bennett Sr., 57, repeatedly stabbed a young man 34 years ago. The victim, Edward Shumaker, spent two decades in a wheelchair, paralyzed from the waist down, and died in 2007 at age 40, his sister said. But Bennett’s doctors say a person’s past has no bearing on the medical care they receive.
New Mexico Considers Using National Guard At Short-Staffed Schools
If New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, carries out her plan it could be a first in the U.S. Educational staffing shortages also prompted a school district in Texas to ask parents to serve as substitute teachers. Meanwhile, covid is surging among school-age kids.
Senate Panel Advances Califf’s FDA Nomination
In 13-8 vote, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee moved forward Robert Califf’s nomination to lead the Food and Drug Administration. Other news from Capitol Hill reports on the “Fauci Act” as well as upcoming fiscal battles that will impact federal health spending.
