Latest KFF Health News Stories
Nurses Strike Over Working Conditions As More Health Workers Get Covid
News outlets cover the ongoing effect of the pandemic on health care workers across the country, including Chicago nurses joining strikes over working conditions, the way some nurses are treated if they test positive, the number of workers catching covid and how it strains hospital systems.
A Gene May Make You More Susceptible To Severe Covid
Scientists in Poland have identified a gene linked to severe illness and death from covid. Other research shows unvaccinated pregnant people are at higher risk of complications from covid than unvaxxed people, and infections led to less mobility for some patients over 50, even for mild cases.
More Big Cities See Glint Of Hope That Omicron’s Tide Might Be Turning
Cleveland, Newark, New York City, Chicago and Washington, D.C., have reported that cases appear to be leveling off or declining. Still, the CDC projects that more than 62,000 people could die from covid in the next four weeks.
White House To Provide Free ‘High-Quality’ N95 Masks To The Public
The goal is to help beat the spread of omicron. Other efforts to distribute KN95 and N95 masks are also happening, driven by private individuals and at the state level. Also: How to store and reuse these types of masks, and how to avoid counterfeit versions.
Biden Doubles At-Home Test Buy; Requests For Billion Free Kits Kick Off Next Week
President Joe Biden says Thursday that the federal government is acquiring an additional 500 million at-home rapid covid tests — doubling the initial purchase last month. The website by which Americans will be able to request free tests will launch next week, the president also announced, though it’s unknown when deliveries will start.
Biden Disappointed By Court’s Decision, Urges Employers To Require Covid Shot
President Joe Biden lamented the Supreme Court’s private workplace decision, which is a blow to his efforts to control the covid pandemic. “I am disappointed that the Supreme Court has chosen to block common-sense life-saving requirements for employees at large businesses that were grounded squarely in both science and the law,” he said in a statement, while also calling on private businesses to “do the right thing” and require vaccinations.
ACA Sign-Ups Exceed 14 Million As Saturday Enrollment Deadline Nears
January 15 is the last day for Americans to enroll on healthcare.gov and most state exchanges. A week before that deadline, a record 14.2 million had signed up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act program.
Supreme Court Strikes Down Vaccine Rule For Private Employees, Allows Mandate For Health Workers
A 6-3 majority said that OSHA likely does not have the power to set a vaccinate-or-test requirement for private businesses — one that would have impacted an estimated 84 million workers. In the other case, the Supreme Court did allow CMS’ rule to proceed that mandates the covid vaccine for the 10 million health professionals who work at a medical facility that gets federal funding.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Supreme Court Strikes Down Vaccine-Or-Test Mandate For Private Employees
In the other case, the Supreme Court justices is allowing the Biden administration’s covid vaccine mandate for most health workers to go forward.
Opinion writers examine these covid issues.
Different Takes: Nurses Deserve More Money; How To Lower US Drug Overdose Rates
Editorial writers tackle these public health issues.
Quebec’s Plan To Tax The Unvaxxed Drives Surge In Shot Uptake
Threatening fines for unvaccinated residents who lack medical exemptions has reportedly led to soaring sign-ups for first shots among the Quebecois. Meanwhile, the Pan American Health Organization says it expects omicron covid to become the dominant variant across the Americas soon.
Research Roundup: Covid; PTSD; Cancer Surgery; Male Infertility
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Gene For Dangerous Drug-Resistant Bacteria Found In Georgia Sewer
Studies of Georgia’s sewer water have turned up a worrying find: The MCR-9 gene, which can cause bacteria to become resistant to one of the world’s most important antibiotics — a potential global health threat. Separately, Florida moves to limit abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.
Labor Union Sues 3 Health Providers, Alleging Racism In Dialysis Care
According to the labor union suing DaVita, Fresenius Medical Care and Satellite Healthcare, Latino and Asian patients are more likely to experience adverse symptoms during hemodialysis. Investment in Black-owned health tech firms and news on the illustrator who drew a black fetus is also reported.
America’s Cancer Death Rate Has Fallen 32% Over 28 Years
The overall risk of dying from cancer continues to drop at an ever-faster rate, too. News outlets cover the data, noting that while millions of deaths have been averted, racial disparities are still a problem when it comes to treatment and detection.
11.5 Hours: New Record Speed For Rare Illness Diagnostic DNA Sequencing
Stat reports on a remarkable case where a young man was suffering mystifying heart problems and an extremely fast diagnosis was possible thanks to speedy gene sequencing. Also in the news, President Joe Biden’s FDA nominee; potential for vaccines to help the opioid crisis; and wider impact of Medicare’s Aduhelm decision.
Blood Shortage Briefly Shutters LA County Trauma Unit
The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services hasn’t had to take this sort of action in over three decades. The national blood shortage is so bad that the Red Cross is trying to tempt donors by offering the chance to win Super Bowl 2022 tickets.
6 Army Commanders Relieved Of Duty Over Covid Vaccine Mandate
Meanwhile, cruise lines will no longer be required to follow covid guidance on ships as outlined by the CDC, USA Today reported.
