Latest KFF Health News Stories
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health issues.
Opinion writers tackle these covid and vaccine issues.
Covid Cases Taking An Important Downturn, WHO Signals
The World Health Organization says this week’s 4 million global weekly cases represent the first big decline in more than two months. Meanwhile, the European Union has pledged an extra 200 million covid shots to African nations, and in China, over 1 billion people have been vaccinated.
Newsom Uses Recall Win To Signal Democrats On Bold Covid Actions
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, said other party members should “lean in” to strict covid measures since his recall victory showed Californians approve of his stance. Separately, Axios reports 26 states have limited officials’ authority to make policy to protect people against covid.
Research Roundup: Lung Transplants; Ebola; Gut Bacteria; Aging; Covid
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Twice As Many States Have High Obesity Rates Than Before Covid
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 16 states had high obesity rates of over 35% in 2020 versus nine states in 2018. Racial disparities in maternal health care, appendectomy complications in Black children, mental illness, nutrition aid and more are also in the news.
FDA Says It Will Review Experimental ALS Treatment
Meanwhile, Amgen said it’s found improved tumor response rates when it combines a KRAS-blocking drug with another targeted cancer drug. Separately, generic Zantac makers said they will seek legal expenses after a failed lawsuit where people alleged they were damaged by the heartburn pills.
Aetna Will Update Infertility Coverage After LGBTQ Bias Lawsuit
Just two days after a woman sued Aetna, alleging LGBTQ people had to pay tens of thousands for infertility treatment when heterosexual people didn’t, the company said it will change its policy. DirectTrust, Atropos Health, Banner Health and more are also in the news.
Bill Created After Doctor’s Suicide Aims To Help Burned-Out Health Workers
As The Washington Post reports, the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, which unanimously passed the U.S. Senate last month, would provide grant funding for suicide-prevention and peer-support mental health care programs at health care facilities and more.
Federal Judge Fast-Tracks Disability Case Against Texas’ Mask Mandate Ban
Fourteen Texas schoolchildren with disabilities have challenged Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s ban on mask mandates alleging discrimination. Separately, a federal judge chose not to block Florida’s mask mandate ban for schools — a case also brought by parents of children with disabilities.
As Wildfire Fighters Battle Blazes, More Are Hit By Covid Than Last Year
Meanwhile, a Pew Research Center report shows most Americans believe that the covid pandemic threat is still serious and that the worst is yet to come. News outlets report infection surges, and the subsequent impact on health care services, across the country.
After August Uptick, US Covid Vaccination Rate Declines
Southern and central regions of the U.S. are leading the decline in covid vaccination rates, reversing a positive trend seen a month ago and ahead of the impact of the president’s new vaccine mandates. Meanwhile, Southwest Airlines is rewarding vaccinated workers with two days of bonus pay.
Foreign, Visiting The US? White House Plans Could Mean You Must Be Vaxxed
The White House has indicated that when it revamps the current pandemic travel restrictions, it may include a requirement that international visitors have had covid vaccinations. A former Department of Transportation chief is also urging the Biden administration toward similar strict moves.
Is It Time To Boost? FDA Scientists Say Vaccine Effectiveness Is Holding Up
Plans from the Biden administration to allow third doses of the Pfizer covid vaccine, targeted to start next week, hinge on FDA approval. But after analyzing data submitted by Pfizer, the agency’s scientists are voicing skepticism about that timing. News outlets report on the booster debate.
Justice Department Filing Details ‘Devastating Effects’ Of Texas Abortion Law
An Oct. 1 hearing has been scheduled for a federal judge to hear a request by U.S. attorneys to temporarily block the restrictive law. News outlets report on other fallouts as well how the abortion fight is playing out in other states.
Pfizer Targets November To Apply For Vaccine Authorization For Kids Under 5
Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla says clinical trial data on how well his company’s covid vaccine works in 6-month to 5-year-old children could be released as early as the end of October. For children aged 5 to 11, emergency authorization could come sooner.
Medicaid Could Be Stripped From 15M When Pandemic Protections Expire
An Urban Institute report estimates that 90% of the people who qualified for Medicaid coverage during the covid crisis could be dropped once the public health emergency ends.
12.2M People Are On ACA Health Plans, The Most Since First Offered In 2014
About 2.8 million people signed up for Obamacare during the six-month special enrollment period that President Joe Biden ordered to help Americans during the pandemic, according to figures his administration released Wednesday.
Drug Pricing Plan Fails Key Test Of Democratic Support
With three moderate Democrats joining Republican opposition, the drug pricing provision was not approved in the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s markup. Though the measure to allow Medicare to broadly negotiate prescription prices later passed another committee, the day’s events heightened concerns over whether it can pass the full House.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
