Latest KFF Health News Stories
As Covid Deaths Rise, Experts Forecast 100K More Americans Lost If We Aren’t More Careful
While there are some signs that the pace of delta-driven infections may be slowing in the U.S., health experts urge Americans to mask, maintain physical distance and get vaccinated to cut projected covid deaths in half for the rest of this year. Disappearing case data and regional outbreaks are also in the news.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations. Note to readers: KHN’s First Edition will not be published Aug. 30 through Sept. 6. Look for it again in your inbox on Tuesday, Sept. 7.
Viewpoints: How Did Aduhelm Get FDA Approval?; Will The Supreme Court Uphold Abortion Rights?
Editorial writers tackle Aduhelm approval, abortion rights and more public health issues.
Perspectives: Will China Require Vaccine For Winter Olympics?; Children’s Hospitals Are Strained
Opinion writers delve into these covid and vaccine issues.
Research Roundup: Covid; Pregnancy; Migraines; Mosquitoes
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Biden’s Plan To Help Vaccinate The World Criticized For Underdelivery
The New York Times reports on a number of criticisms that the plan to be the world’s “arsenal” for covid shots is facing, including spending only 1% of the money set aside to ramp up production. Meanwhile, Japan struggles with contaminated Moderna shots and over-full hospitals.
Lake Tahoe, Reno Suffering Worst Air Quality Levels From Wildfires
Air quality in Nevada is the worst on record and the Reno area is reported to be “thick with brown smoke” — as is air near Lake Tahoe. In other public health news, a law preventing shackling of pregnant people in North Carolina’s jails advances and three members of Maryland’s governor’s team are covid positive.
Flu Shot Makers Readying Supplies For Predicted Record-Matching Season
Last year a record 194 million flu shots were delivered to the U.S. from manufacturers like Sanofi and GSK, and FiercePharma reports that the drugmakers are anticipating similar levels this year as delta covid continues to be a problem. Supplies are not expected to be a problem, the makers say.
Biden Signs ‘PAWS’ Bill For Service Dogs For Veteran Therapy
The Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act, signed Wednesday, is a pilot program to help veterans dealing with PTSD. Facial recognition, Trump’s mental health, nicotine use, salmonella outbreaks and pregnancy risks for Black women are also in the news.
Meditation, Mental Health Tech Firms Headspace And Ginger To Merge
The resulting $3 billion company will be called Headspace Health. Meanwhile, Intermountain Healthcare will boost its minimum wage for clinical and nonclinical workers to $15. HCA Healthcare in Nashville, Florida Blue and the overuse of arbitration in surprise billing are also in the news.
Unclassified Report Of US Covid Origins Probe Expected To Be Released
President Joe Biden was briefed yesterday by intelligence officials on the 90-day review he had ordered. Before anything has even been released to the public, China criticized the investigation as “propaganda.” Meanwhile, a group of scientists warn that time is running out to get the necessary data to truly pinpoint the source of the coronavirus that sparked the global pandemic.
Poison Control Centers Report Spike In Calls Over Cattle Drug Ivermectin
USA Today reports on rising call numbers for poison control centers across the U.S. Misuse of ivermectin, typically a cattle anti-parasitic, as a covid treatment is to blame. Meanwhile, a jail in Arkansas is treating patients with the drug and an Alaskan borough mayor is also promoting it.
School Outbreaks Test Back-To-School Covid Protocols
Grade schools and universities are not the only ones reporting crowd-driven spikes: Unsurprisingly, South Dakota covid cases are up 5-fold after the Sturgis motorcycle rally. And the Los Angeles Police Department is wrestling an outbreak.
Mask Rules For Most Florida Students Fly In Face Of Gov. DeSantis’ Orders
AP reports just over half of 2.8 million school students in Florida are facing mask mandates as school boards defy anti-mask rulings by Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican. Separately, a Florida hospital removed a local doctor who had promised to sell mask opt-out letters to parents for $50.
Delta Air Lines Tells Its Employees: Get Vaccinated Or Pay $200-A-Month Fee
It’s similar to health insurance surcharges that some companies level on employees who smoke or use tobacco. In other news, the NFL has mandated that only fully vaccinated employees will have access to locker rooms on game days.
Over 100,000 Covid Patients Hospitalized; 77% Of ICU Beds Full
Nearly 30% of those patients in intensive care have covid. As the nation hits record numbers since vaccinations became available, concerns grow for children and those who are pregnant.
Pentagon Mandates Covid Shots For 800,000 Unvaxxed Troops Immediately
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin set out a demand for an “ambitious” vaccine timeline for military service members now that the Pfizer vaccine has full FDA approval. Meanwhile, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, reissued orders banning vaccine mandates in localities and school districts.
CMS Gives More Details On Its Mandate For Covid Vaccines At Nursing Homes
Modern Healthcare reports that nursing homes will first be notified that they are not in compliance. After that, they will be fined, denied payment and ultimately removed from Medicaid/Medicare if they do not comply.
FDA’s OK Of Covid Booster Likely To Allow Shorter Gap Of 6 Months
While the Biden administration previously announced that the approved window between original doses and a third shot would be 8 months, the Wall Street Journal spoke to an official who said the timeframe would be tightened. And Pfizer and BioNTech filed an application for full approval of its booster.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
