Latest KFF Health News Stories
Kentucky Supreme Court Clears Way To Cancel Governor’s Emergency Powers
The ruling on Saturday overrode an earlier decision that had blocked Republican-backed legislation targeting Gov. Andy Beshear, and now lawmakers can move on his anti-covid restrictions. Tampa, Houston, Nebraska, Baltimore, Maryland are also in the news.
A Scientific Mystery: Why Are Some People ‘Resistant’ To Covid?
It’s still poorly understood how SARS-CoV-2 attacks our bodies, and its effects on people vary widely. As Stat reports, a few lucky people seem to have hit the “biological lottery” with genes that are resistant to the virus no matter how much they are exposed to it.
Hospital Pricing Data Pulls Back Veil On Bad Insurer Deals
The New York Times reports on why the health industry has been reluctant to comply with price transparency rules — including hospitals charging wildly different rates for similar procedures and insurers negotiating bad deals. Illumina, Google, SENS, Penn Medicine and more are also in the news.
Pandemic Didn’t Worsen Uninsurance Rate, Report Finds
Axios reports around 11% of American adults were uninsured in April 2021, similar to rates measured in March 2019 — despite layoffs, business closures and other pandemic changes. Health effects of climate change, maternal health, suicide risk levels and more are also in the news.
Antibody Combo Therapy From AstraZeneca Prevents Covid In Trial
Data from a trial of an anti-covid therapy from AstraZeneca showed it reduced risk of developing symptomatic covid by up to 77%, Fox News says. The Washington Post reports on other monoclonal antibody treatments. Other reports highlight a push against treating covid with ivermectin.
It’s A Big Week For Spending Bills’ Future In The House
A group of centrist Democrats are threatening to upend House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s roadmap for advancing the $1 trillion infrastructure package and $3.5 trillion budget plan.
Social Network Covid Misinfo Hurts Americans, Says Murthy
Misinformation is “happening largely, in part, aided and abetted by social media platforms,” Dr. Vivek Murthy said Sunday. Facebook’s most-viewed article in 2021 hinted that a covid vaccine was involved in a doctor’s death, but Facebook withheld a report revealing this, The New York Times reported.
Education Secretary Affirms Power To Use Federal Funds To Counter School Mask Threats
Education Secretary Miguel Cardona says federal money can’t be blocked to school districts that opt for a mask mandate in states where a governor is pressuring against such moves.
‘This Is Different’: Doctors Concerned About Kids As Covid Wave Hits Young
Across the nation, hospitals are reporting that admitted patients are trending younger than in any of the previous covid surges — partly due to many older people being vaccinated as well as the transmissibility of delta variant.
Climbing Hospitalizations Stretch Health Workers, Worry Surgeon General
Surgeon General Vivek Murthy says the number of covid cases is “deeply concerning” and that the ceiling on delta-driven cases is unknown. Meanwhile, Politico reports on efforts taxed hospitals and states are taking to retain and attract health personnel.
‘We Have To Protect American Lives’: Murthy Defends Decision On Boosters
The surgeon general acknowledged on ABC’s “This Week” that giving booster shots could “take away” from the global vaccine supply. But he stressed that the Biden administration’s recent efforts to bolster the global supply would ensure there isn’t a shortage.
More Places Likely To Require Shots As FDA Issues Full Approval For Pfizer Vaccine
The FDA announced full approval of the Pfizer/BioNTech covid vaccine. As one Ohio health official said, “It takes away from a certain number of people the argument it’s not approved. That’s been their argument of not getting it. Now we’re eliminated that.”
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages weigh in on these public health topics.
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid, vaccine and masking issues.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on covid, Ben Franklin, NFL star Darrell Green, exercise, transgender health, robotic surgery and more.
Wildfire Smoke Causes Air Quality Health Alerts In California
Smoke is forcing some officials to issue alerts lasting into the weekend — in Sacramento, air is expected to remain at unhealthy levels because of the ongoing Caldor fire. Other news outlets cover extreme heat, algae blooms, HIV and mental health matters.
Haiti Getting US Field Hospitals To Help Earthquake Recovery Effort
Transport ship USS Arlington is en route to Haiti, and field hospitals have begun to be delivered to the earthquake-damaged nation. Reports say the earthquake hit a local oxygen plant, critical during the pandemic. Separately, New Zealand’s lockdown is extended as the delta outbreak spreads.
Cerner’s New CEO Led Google Health; Johnson & Johnson’s CEO To Leave
Health tech firm Cerner’s new CEO will be former Google Health lead Dr. David Feinberg. Separately, Johnson & Johnson CEO Alex Gorsky will step down in January to become executive chairman. Surprise-billing bans, kidney care, “Gun Court,” and medical journal editorials are also in the news.
First Human Trials Of Moderna’s MRNA HIV Vaccine To Begin
Axios reports on the first time ever such a trial is tried — participants have to be between 18 and 50, and not diagnosed with HIV. In other news: the pandemic and pelvic floors; Brazilian butt lifts; Black farmers’ support in North Carolina; covid Facebook ads; and Apple delays back-to-office plans.
