Latest KFF Health News Stories
Lead Levels In Some Michigan Water Must Be Made Safe, EPA Orders
Benton Harbor’s water system has tested for lead levels above the federal action limit since 2018, but the Environmental Protection Agency has now ordered the city to take immediate remedial action. Medical marijuana in Missouri, LGBTQ discrimination in Fort Worth and more are also in the news.
White House Cracks Down On Hospitals Defying Price Disclosure Rules
The new rule will take effect at the start of 2022, sharply increasing the penalties that will be imposed on hospitals that obscure their pricing, and also tackling tricks like hiding prices from Google searches. CMS, meanwhile, will boost pay for home health and hospital outpatient services.
Abortion Restrictions Modeled After Texas Law Proposed In Ohio
Two Ohio House Republicans introduced an abortion bill that includes controversial measures that are currently being challenged in the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, more fallout from Monday’s high-profile hearings on Texas’ law are in the news.
Covid Infections Ticking Up Before Childhood Vaccines Arrive
The timing of vaccine approvals for younger children couldn’t be better, USA Today reports, as the new case rate has risen 5.4% in the last week. Reports say the entire Bay Area is back in the CDC’s red and orange tiers, and Clark County, Nevada, has returned to the “high risk” category.
Escalating Numbers Of Suicides By Gun Propel White House Initiatives
The Biden administration rolled out a new plan to increase gun storage and safety products, as well as to tackle alarming rates of suicide among military service members and veterans. Firearms were used in over half of all 2019 suicides in the U.S. Separately, 2020 statistics show a drop in some populations, but not all.
Democrats’ Compromise Would Allow Medicare Drug Price Negotiations For First Time
Democrats announced a deal on Tuesday for pared-back drug pricing measures as part of ongoing talks to secure intraparty support for massive spending bills. Under the compromise plan, Medicare Part D would be able to negotiate with drugmakers on the cost of some prescriptions.
Majority Obey Military Vax Mandates; Oklahoma Gov. Wants Exemptions
News outlets cover covid vaccinations among the armed forces, noting the “vast majority” have had shots, partly because very few religious exemptions have been allowed. But Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt is asking the federal government for exemptions for local National Guard members.
CDC Report: Immunocompromised People Are Less Protected By Vaccines
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that both Pfizer and Moderna shots were less effective at protecting people with weakened immune systems. Two other studies showed covid survivors who get two doses of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines have stronger protection against infection.
Covid Vaccine For Younger Kids Clears Final Hurdle With CDC Greenlight
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention signed off on allowing a lower dose of the Pfizer covid vaccine to be administered to kids ages 5 to 11. News outlets report on what comes next for parents seeking out the shot for their children.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers examine these covid issues.
Different Takes: Public Needs More Trust In Drug Companies; Examining The Future of SB 8
Editorial pages weigh in on pharmaceutical companies, advanced practice providers and SB 8.
To Halt Covid, China Locks 30K Inside Disney, Keeps Schoolkids Overnight
News outlets report on extraordinary measures taken by Chinese authorities in pursuit of “covid zero” — including locking children in a primary school overnight due to a covid case and 30,000 people inside Shanghai Disneyland. Separately, Indonesia is the first place to authorize Novavax’s vaccine.
Medical Board ‘Corrects’ Texas Doctor In Hydroxychloroquine Case
Dr. Stella Immanuel has been given a “corrective action” by the Texas Medical Board after she prescribed hydroxychloroquine to a patient with covid without explaining the health consequences. Meanwhile, in Montana, covid is again rising to be the third leading cause of death.
Trial Begins Over Basic Health Care Provisions For Arizona Prisoners
Media outlets cover the beginning of a “landmark” trial over allegations of poor provision of health care in Arizona’s privatized prisons. Separately, reports say U.S. prisons are facing a staff crisis as people quit during the pandemic, and in Aroostook County, naloxone is being given to released prisoners.
Syphilis, Previously Nearly Eradicated In The US, Is Reported Surging Back
ProPublica reports on a dramatic resurgence of syphilis, saying it’s a sign of funding failures in public health. Separately, a report says screen time among teens doubled to nearly eight hours per day during the pandemic. And the salmonella outbreak tied to onions has now hit over 800 people.
Industry Groups Push For Extensions To Pandemic Telehealth Provision
More than 230 organizations are seeking support from state governors to extend state medical licenses given to boost telehealth operations during the pandemic, since covid hasn’t faded yet. Hospital operating margin drops, the future of out-of-hospital care and more are also in the news.
Manchin Wants To Pump Brakes On Spending Bill; Dems Say They’ll Keep Moving
Democratic leaders plan to continue pushing forward with the intertwined social spending and infrastructure packages, despite the latest call to slow down from Sen. Joe Manchin.
Judge Rejects California Bid To Hold Drugmakers Liable For Opioid Crisis
Bucking trends in other legal cases, Superior Court Judge Peter Wilson issued a tentative ruling that could free four major pharmaceutical companies from legal responsibility for the painkiller addiction epidemic in parts of California.
Despite Turmoil Of 2020, Number Of Uninsured Stayed About The Same
The figures, which were released ahead of the start of open enrollment in the federal health insurance marketplaces, did show that uninsured rates are higher in states that haven’t expanded Medicaid, Axios reported.
