Latest KFF Health News Stories
Califf Garners Bipartisan Support During Senate Confirmation Hearing
Facing questions regarding opioids, abortion and drug pricing, Robert Califf testified before senators on his record and plans for the Food and Drug Administration. His nomination to head that agency is viewed to be on track after the two-hour session.
In New Abortion Plea To High Court, Arizona Seeks To Reinstate Penalties
Arizona’s law would impose criminal penalties on anyone performing an abortion because of genetic abnormalities in the fetus. Meanwhile, Wisconsin’s attorney general says if the Supreme Court overturns federal protections for the right to an abortion, he won’t prosecute under a state ban that would take effect.
San Francisco Exempts Gyms, Offices From California’s New Mask Rule
Meanwhile, Amtrak paused a vaccine mandate for employees over worries of service cuts if it had to terminate about 500 unvaxxed employees. Some Dallas hospitals are backing off vaccine mandates too. Kroger, on the other hand, is cutting some benefits for unvaccinated employees.
Idaho Deaths Reinforce Nursing Homes’ Ongoing Covid Vulnerability
Idaho’s health department released figures showing that 25% of its 1,000 covid deaths have been among residents living in nursing homes or long-term care facilities. State officials urge all caregivers to get vaccinated. News on covid spread at other health facilities is also reported.
J&J, Sinovac Shots Less Effective Against Omicron Covid
A lab test showed Johnson & Johnson’s shot led to “virtually no” antibody protection, and Sinovac’s shot (one of the most used around the world) doesn’t provide enough antibodies to neutralize the variant. Other covid news, including higher risk of myocarditis after infection, is also reported.
Pfizer’s Covid Pill Nearly 90% Effective Against Severe Illness
Media outlets cover news from Pfizer about final clinical trials of its covid treatment Paxlovid: the drug was 89% effective at preventing hospitalization and death. President Joe Biden has ordered enough of the pills to treat 10 million people.
Omicron Cases Prompt Cornell To Close Campus; Schools Brace For More Infections
As winter covid cases increase among college students, administrators are scrambling to respond with booster shot mandates and other mitigation measures. At Cornell University, 903 covid infections were reported between Dec. 7-13 — many of which were confirmed to be the omicron variant.
As Omicron’s Push Intensifies, Health Officials Fear Wave Of Cases In January
The pace of covid cases identified with the omicron variant jumped sevenfold in a single week, according to the CDC, and public health officials warn that hospitals that are already overwhelmed with delta cases in some states could become swamped.
Affordable Care Act Marketplace Enrollment Ends Today For Jan. 1 Start
Adjustments to health coverage or sign-ups will have to meet today’s deadline if coverage is to begin on Jan 1, 2022. Noticias Telemundo reports on efforts to enroll Latinos and, separately, Modern Healthcare covers news that 2022 is projected to be a positive year for big insurance companies.
800,000 Lost. And US Covid Deaths Marching Toward 1 Million.
As Americans families gather around holiday tables this season, more than 800,000 will be missing due to the covid pandemic — 163,000 of which could likely have been avoided with vaccinations, an analysis estimates. Health experts forecast that the U.S. will hit 1,000,000 deaths — and more quickly than previously expected at the latest rate of hospitalization.
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid issues.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages tackle these public health issues.
Different Takes: Is Omicron The Next Common Cold?; Current Covid Vaccine Production Needs New Model
Opinion writers delve into these covid and vaccine issues.
UK Steps Up Vaccine Efforts To Combat Omicron
News outlets report on “long lines” of people waiting outside vaccination centers in England, as part of the government’s goal to get all adults vaccinated with boosters. Soccer stadiums are being used as vaccination sites. Other news includes Moderna production in Australia and covid-linked depression.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Hit Song Actually Saved Lives
As “1-800-273-8255” hit the charts, studies show the Lifeline received more calls and suicides decreased. Other mental health matters in the news include an unarmed crisis response pilot program in Minneapolis, and a plea for more mental health support for students in Cincinnati.
Oregon Plans To Skirt Covering Drugs Like Aduhelm Under Medicaid
Oregon is seeking a way to avoid having to pay for drugs (like Aduhelm) approved through a fast-track route. In other news, the first seasonal flu death of a child in Mississippi is reported, and thousands remain without heat and water in Kentucky after the tornados.
Cutting US Vehicle Emissions Saved Thousands Of Lives: Study
Researches from Harvard University examined the impact of declining vehicle emissions over a decade, concluding that thousands of lives and hundreds of billions of dollars were saved. Separately, a recall of ham and pepperoni products over listeria worries jumped to 2.3 million pounds of meat.
Six Former FDA Commissioners Endorse Biden Nominee Califf
Meanwhile, an international coalition of pharma regulators is recommending expanding the use of remote pharma plant inspections. Also: Global Blood Therapeutics’ experimental sickle-cell drug has promising results, as does Bellus Health’s chronic cough treatment.
Senate Throws Out House’s Plans To Eliminate Some Hospital Funding
The Senate’s bill to fund President Joe Biden’s social spending package does not include cuts in Medicaid funding for hospitals that treat large numbers of low-income and uninsured patients in states that haven’t expanded their Medicaid program. The House’s bill reduced that funding because it noted the legislation would provide insurance to people who would have qualified for the expansion. Meanwhile, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), the chairman of the Finance Committee, asks Medicare to reduce its planned premium increase.
