Latest KFF Health News Stories
Halting Vaccine Mandate Will ‘Cost Lives,’ Biden Officials Tells Court
The Biden administration responded to a federal appeals court’s stay on the federal covid vaccine mandate, arguing that stopping the OSHA rules “would endanger many thousands of people.” Meanwhile, the White House is urging businesses that would be covered by the order not to wait until the legal challenges finish to make implementation plans.
Child Vaccination Programs Rolled Out Quickly
360,000 children under the age of 12 have gotten covid shots, while school districts are urged by the White House to provide covid shots.
Pfizer Asks FDA To Authorize Its Booster For All Adults
Pfizer and BioNTech applied to the Food and Drug Administration to allow an additional covid vaccine dose to any American 18 and older.
First Edition: November 9, 2021
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages delve into these various public health topics.
Opinion pages weigh in on these covid issues.
Vaccinations And Boosters Urged As Covid Spikes Again In Parts Of Europe
Germany, Russia and Denmark are among the nations reporting infection increases. British officials are urging citizens to get a booster shot. In some good news, Japan sees its first day in 15 months with no covid deaths.
Providers Say More People Seek Birth Control In Texas After Abortion Law
The near-total abortion ban in Texas drove attention to birth control providers, as people seek emergency contraception and other pregnancy-preventing solutions. Meanwhile, a kayaker contracted flesh eating bacteria in Tampa, and schools in Tennessee get a mental health boost.
Bill Presses For Huge Increase In Residency Slots Paid For By Medicare
Modern Healthcare reports on a provision for residency slots in the House version of the president’s domestic policy package. Meanwhile, reports say health care employment has topped 16 million, the highest number since early in the pandemic.
Stanford Magnetic Therapy To Treat Depression Has Significant Trials Success
The SAINT method uses targeted magnetic stimulation of the brain, and reports say almost 80% of the study’s participants saw their severe depression go into remission. Generic drug prices, strep vaccines for pregnant women, a boom in stem cell clinics and more are also in the news.
Researchers Look At Link Between Covid Vaccine Injections, Heart Problems
Some theories are emerging about the link between receiving a covid shot and the risks for myocarditis, including the chance that vaccines were injected into veins, directly affecting the heart. Pfizer’s covid pill, antibody drugs, pregnant women’s risks and pets with covid are also in the news.
Discrimination Against Young Adults Linked To Higher Risk Of Mental Issues
A new study has shown a link between people experiencing discrimination about their bodies, race, age or sex and later risks for developing mental health problems. Separately, a study from the U.S. Census Bureau has shown LGBTQ people were more likely to lose income during the pandemic.
As Pandemic’s Impact Shifts, Experts Warn About Breakthrough Cases
These infections among vaccinated people may hinder the fight against the virus. Experts suggest many are the result of children passing along the virus. Other news outlets also look at the changing demographics that are the hallmark of the delta variant.
Vaccine Hesitancy ‘Entrenched’: Study Finds Half Unvaxxed Won’t Get Shots
A detailed nationwide U.S. survey found around half of the people currently resisting taking covid shots are unlikely to change their minds. Meanwhile, NBC News reports on efforts to close the vaccination gap between California’s Latino population and other demographic groups.
Schools Take Central Role As Covid Vaccine Push Shifts To Youngsters
News outlets report on covid vaccine drives across the U.S. education system. First lady Jill Biden is also playing a role promoting shots for school children alongside Surgeon General Vivek Murthy.
HHS Enforcement Of 340B Program Up In Air With Conflicting Court Rulings
As hospitals and pharmaceutical companies fight in court over the prescription drug discount program, the oversight power of the Health Resources and Services Administration is also at issue.
‘I Cannot Wait’: Vaccinated Foreign Travelers Finally Able To Enter US
American borders have been closed to most international travelers for 20 months. Starting today, those restrictions are lifted for people from Brazil, China, India, South Africa, the United Kingdom and much of Europe — as long as they have been fully vaccinated with a U.S.-approved shot.
With Infrastructure Win, Democrats Eye Bumpy Road On Spending Bill
Late Friday night, the House approved the $1 trillion infrastructure bill and sent it to President Joe Biden to sign. Its companion — the social spending package that could shake up health care programs — still faces big hurdles in both chambers as Democrats try to navigate fractious factions and a slim majority.
Appeals Court Grants Stay On Biden’s Vaccine Mandate For Private Businesses
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily halted the federal vaccine rules, pending legal review of the case. Biden administration officials expressed confidence that the orders will prevail as they wind their way through the judicial challenges.
First Edition: November 8, 2021
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
