Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
American And Unvaxxed? France Says ‘Non’ To Your Visit
CNN reports France is the latest European country — and “the most significant tourism destination” there yet — to remove the U.S. from its “green” safe travel list. Separately, Axios reports France has granted citizenship to 12,000 covid frontline workers who helped the country weather the pandemic.
Controversy Over Rules For ‘Prison-Like’ NY Facility For Autistic Children
At issue is a threat by New York officials to revoke funding for long-term care unless parents move their children from out-of-state centers to a secure facility in New York. Meanwhile, California’s State Senate approved a bill allowing the state to keep data on workplace covid outbreaks secret.
California Voters To Decide Fate Of Gov. Newsom And His Covid Policies
Tomorrow’s recall election hinges on the topic of covid lockdowns, some of the strictest in the nation. Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, says they have been necessary to protect Californians. Recent polling suggests he is likely to become the first California governor to survive a recall attempt.
American Academy Of Pediatrics Calls FDA’s Juul Decision Delay Reckless
Last week the Food and Drug Administration banned nearly a million e-smoking products but postponed a decision on giant vape brand Juul — drawing criticism from the AAP on the risk to young people. Cruise ships in Baltimore, Latino heart health and more are also in the news.
Huge Part Of Potential Patient Pool Excluded In Aduhelm Clinical Trials
A study found as many as 92% of Medicare beneficiaries, who’d comprise a key portion of potential patients, would have been excluded from Biogen’s Alzheimer’s drug trials. Meanwhile, an analysis of drug labeling says a third of the uses for cancer drugs stay on labels after being unconfirmed.
Georgia Hospital Ransomware Hack Prompts Patients’ Class-Action Lawsuit
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of 1.4 million people whose data may have been compromised in a recent ransomware attack. Competition in health insurance exchanges, HCA Houston Medical Center’s new CEO and OptumHealth’s LGBTQ+ healthcare education program are also in industry news.
Louisiana Nursing Home Deaths During Hurricane Ida Prompt System Changes
The AP reports deaths of seven Louisiana nursing home residents evacuated during Hurricane Ida caused Louisiana’s Department of Health to look into future evacuation and sheltering planning. Separately, a study shows many early nursing home covid deaths likely went unreported.
Abortion Among Divisive Issues Driving Supreme Court Questions
Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett touched on the perception that politics are impacting court decisions during public remarks over the weekend. And Justice Stephen Breyer addressed calls for his retirement. Meanwhile, Texas’ restrictive abortion law continues to make waves.
Biden’s Covid-Testing Push Expected To Stretch Suppliers
The Washington Post explains how the president’s expansion of covid testing further emphasizes at-home testing. This, the Wall Street Journal notes, will stress suppliers — with CVS and Walgreens already limiting how many tests people can buy.
Midterm Pressures May Slim Down $3.5T Social Safety Net Package
News outlets report on Democrats’ worries over a planned massive spending package designed to boost the social safety net and climate change issues. 2022 midterms may be playing a role in scaling back ambitions. New taxes, child tax credit and Medicare expansion and more are also in the news.
Anticipation Grows Over Vaccine Approval For Younger Kids
A former FDA commissioner predicts that kids age 5 to 11 may be able to get the covid vaccine by the end of October. In other outreach news, 74% of eligible Americans have had at least one dose. Yet, misinformation is still keeping the shot out of many arms.
Round And Round We Go: Another Florida Court Flip-Flops Mask Order
This time, an appeals court sided with Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. Meanwhile, the Education Department says it is investigating the state over its ban on mask mandates.
Staff’s Covid Vaccine Protest Halts Baby Deliveries At NY Hospital
After 30 staffers quit over a covid vaccine mandate, Lewis County General Hospital says it can’t safely operate its maternity department. The death of an Alabama man after treatment refusals at 43 overwhelmed hospitals, plus Intermountain Healthcare delaying almost all surgeries are also in health care industry covid news.
Unvaxxed People Are 11 Times More Likely To Die Of Covid
The studies also found that vaccinated people were about five times less likely to get infected, NPR reported. Other news on the spread of covid is from Idaho, Florida, Arizona, Georgia, West Virginia, Alaska, Texas and Massachusetts.
Religious Exemption Claims On The Rise With Increased Vaccine Mandates
Though no major denomination opposes the covid vaccine — and some are actively telling church leaders not to sign exemption forms — more Americans are citing religion as a reason they won’t get the shot. News outlets examine a host of questions surrounding religious exemptions.
Federal Mandate Shakes Up Vaccine Debate For Health Workers, Companies
President Joe Biden’s announcement that all health care workers are required to get vaccinated may have a big impact on rural hospitals in particular. While employers also wrap their arms around the implications of new federal requirements, one group not impacted by them is retired seniors.
Surgeon General Defends New Vaccine Rules As ‘Legal’ And ‘Appropriate’
“The requirements that [President Joe Biden] announced are not sweeping requirements for the entire nation,” Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said during a weekend interview. “These are focused on areas where the federal government has legal authority to act.” And they won’t be the last, he and Dr. Anthony Fauci both signal.
Editorial writers tackle these public health issues.
Perspectives: Asylum Seekers Are Not A Covid Threat; When Will Covid Shift From Pandemic To Endemic?
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid and vaccine topics.
