Latest KFF Health News Stories
Editorial pages examine these public health issues.
Opinion writers delve into these covid and vaccine issues.
Omicron Is Impacting Holiday Plans Globally
News outlets cover how the infectious omicron covid variant is reshaping, at the last minute, travel and booster shot plans around the world. Meanwhile, the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared its 13th Ebola outbreak over, and The Washington Post covers a US-built cancer hospital in Iran.
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 melioidosis, HPV, suicide, “The Biggest Loser,” covid and more.
Navy’s Water-Contaminating Hawaii Jet Fuel Facility To Stay Open
The Navy is reportedly not considering closing the jet fuel storage facility, which dates from World War II, even after it was found to have contaminated local water supplies. A link between rural poverty and a state’s decision to not expand Medicaid and a proposal to split Alaska’s health budget in two are also in the news.
Prosecutors Close Arguments In Elizabeth Holmes Case
Media outlets cover the closing arguments, saying Elizabeth Holmes “willfully lied” about the blood testing technology at the core of Theranos’ business. Calls for drug supply chain restructuring, an FDA rebuke for Endo, demotions at Amazon Pharmacy and CMS’ “breakthrough device” rules are also reported in health industry news.
Oracle Trying To Buy Medical Records Firm Cerner In Possible $30 Billion Deal
Meanwhile, OSHA’s emergency covid prevention standards may lapse in less than a week, and Modern Healthcare reports stakeholders aren’t sure what’s next. Prospect Medical is reportedly seeking buyers, Acadia partners with Fairview for a new hospital in Minnesota, hospital “facility” fees and more.
NFL, NBA Revise Covid Protocols As Infections Rise
The professional basketball league enhanced its safeguards through the holiday season with more testing and a return of masks for many situation. And the football league is making it easier for fully vaccinated players who test positive but are asymptomatic to return to the field.
Commencement Canceled, Booster Shots Mandated: Covid Hits Schools
The University of Maryland has had to cancel its winter commencement after over 100 covid cases hit its campus. Meanwhile, Emory University and Stanford University are mandating booster shots as omicron looms. Other covid news in education is also reported.
Judge Tosses Purdue Pharma’s Opioids Deal That Shielded Sacklers
At issue for the federal judge: a measure in the bankruptcy settlement in the opioids lawsuits that would have protected members of the Sackler family from facing individual litigation. Purdue Pharma plans to appeal the ruling.
Severe Covid More Than Doubles Patient’s Risk Of Dying Inside A Year
In other sobering covid research news, scientists have found infections can cause long-term impacts to the brain. But AstraZeneca announced a lab study of its antibody drug Evusheld worked against the omicron variant of covid, and a separate study suggests shark antibodies may be useful in the battle against the virus.
Hospitals Delay Surgeries, Treat People At Home As Covid Surges
In rural Arizona, the strain on hospital staff has caused a plea for federal help. Axios reports on how some medical staff are at “breaking point.” And a KHN report covers how some paramedics are being pressed into transferring patients between overstretched hospitals instead of tackling emergencies.
Courts Deal More Setbacks To Federal Vaccine Mandates
Meanwhile, the Justice Department asked the Supreme Court to lift a lower court block on the vaccine mandate that impacts health workers in about half of the states. And members of the military are dismissed for refusing to get the shot.
Biden Warns Of Deadly Winter; Fauci Says Omicron To Be Dominant Variant
Winter is bringing the threat of “severe illness and death,” President Joe Biden warns. Dr. Anthony Fauci forecasts that it would only be a matter of weeks until omicron is the dominant covid variant in the U.S. And a small study in South Africa indicates that omicron covid can break through booster shot protections.
Main Flu Strain Has Mutated; Current Flu Vaccines May Not Prevent Infection
It’s bad news for the vaccine, said Scott Hensley, a professor of microbiology at the University of Pennsylvania who led the study. Flu vaccines protect against four strains: H3N2, H1N1 and two strains of influenza B. The study covers just H3N2, but that happens to be the main circulating strain.
CDC Endorses Moderna, Pfizer Covid Vaccines Over J&J Shot
Ongoing concerns over rare blood clots prompts the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to narrow the use of Johnson & Johnson’s covid vaccine in adults.
Biden Acknowledges Social Spending Bill Will Slip To 2022
Negotiations between party leaders and Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat, bogged down over the cost of the package. President Joe Biden signaled that getting the bill out of the Senate will have to wait until senators return in January. The Hill reports on worries the whole package will have to be reworked. But Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican, says he thinks the bill is “dead.”
FDA Clears Path To Make It Easier To Access Abortion Pills
The Food and Drug Administration announced Thursday it will relax restrictions on medication that induces abortions, allowing doctors to prescribe it online or deliver it by the mail or directly to a pharmacy. The move is expected to open a new front in the political fights over abortion.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Reversing Roe Will Affect Miscarriage Care; Addressing The Youth Mental Health Crisis
Editorial pages tackle these public health concerns.
