Latest KFF Health News Stories
As Vaccines Become Normal, Covid Treatments Back In Spotlight
Covid-positive Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is receiving monoclonal antibodies — not yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The Wall Street Journal covers sparse supply of Roche’s drug tocilizumab, which Stat says is the subject of pressure from the WHO over equitable access issues.
Vaccine Hesitancy Is Fading In US, Elsewhere — According To Facebook
Though the social network hasn’t shared hard numbers on how frequently vaccine misinformation is being shared, it pointed out its data says more actual vaccine uptake is happening. Meanwhile, smartphone developers are tackling the problem of proving covid vaccine status around the world.
As Covid Fills Hospitals, Staff Shortages Leave 1,000 Mississippi Beds Empty
Reports from Louisiana, Maryland and elsewhere show large numbers of covid cases, including in children, are swamping hospital systems. But staff shortages in Mississippi are limiting how hospitals can use their facilities. Hot spots on the Gulf Coast and in Alabama are also in the news.
Expect To Pay More For Covid Treatments As Of October, Insurers Say
“No fee” programs for covid patients are expected to end for some insurers starting Oct. 1. Meanwhile, the American Medical Association notes financial health systems are set up and ready for the upcoming booster program. Reports say some people are wrongly billed for covid shots already.
New Vegas Police Must Get Covid Shots; NYPD To Punish Unmasked Officers
Police departments are responding to the ongoing covid crisis with new Las Vegas police employees facing a vaccine mandate and the NYPD planning on disciplining cops who don’t use masks indoors or outdoors. News outlets also report on other pros and cons of mask and vaccine mandates.
Schools In Texas, Florida Defy Mask Mandate Bans
AP and Politico report on how school districts in Texas and Florida — where Republican governors have enacted strict bans on requiring masks — continue to rebel against these new laws. Separately, experts predict even as Texas’ surge stresses hospitals, the covid death peak is still to come.
Washington State Enacts Strictest Vaccine Mandate Yet For Educators
Gov. Jay Inslee, a Democrat, announced the covid vaccine mandate includes all public, charter and private school teachers and staff plus those working at the state’s colleges and universities, on threat of losing their jobs. Separately, a judge OKs school mask mandates in New York.
Nursing Homes Told To Vaccinate Staff — Or Lose Medicare, Medicaid Funds
President Joe Biden made the announcement Wednesday. Some nursing home workers say the mandate, which could take effect as early as next month, would likely worsen staffing situations.
Many Scientists Say Booster Decision Is ‘Premature,’ Will Hurt Global Supply
Some health experts stressed that scientific evidence suggests protection against severe disease is still holding and may last several years, Stat reported. Others suggested that the U.S. was being selfish. “Anyone who thinks that vaccinating Americans with a third dose is not going to come at the expense of getting the vaccine to other places in the world — if that’s what you think, you’re just kidding yourself,” one vaccine researcher said.
Biden Lashes Out At Mask Bans, Says Education Department Can Intervene
“We’re not going to sit by as governors try to block and intimidate educators protecting our children,” the president said during a speech Wednesday.
The Case For Boosters: 3 New Studies Show Covid Shots Weaken Over Time
As the Bay Area News Group reported, in one study, the decline since earlier this year was modest, dropping from 92% to 80%. In the second, it was more dramatic, falling from 75% to 53%. A third study found that protection fell from 76% to 42% for Pfizer and from 86% to 76% for Moderna. Protection against hospitalization and death remained strong, however.
Covid Booster Rollout To Begin Sept. 20 For Those Who Got Pfizer, Moderna
The Biden administration announced Wednesday that people who received the two-dose mRNA vaccines should get a booster shot eight months after their second dose. Those who received the J&J one-dose shot will likely need a booster, too, but will need to wait a few more weeks for more information as health officials gather more data.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Different Takes: How To Eliminate Preventable Medical Harm; Covid Doctors Losing Compassion
Editorial pages examine these various public health issues.
Opinion pages delve into these covid and vaccine issues.
Perspectives: When Drug Profits Win, The Patient Always Loses
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
New Zealand Now Tracking At Least 10 Covid Cases
After detection of a single community covid case forced the country into a snap three-day lockdown, New Zealand authorities are now tracking at least 10 cases, linked to the delta surge in Australia. Separately, the U.K. authorized Moderna’s covid shot for use in adolescents.
Newsom Warns California Facing Statewide Water Restrictions
California’s Gov. Gavin Newsom warned restrictions may be in place as soon as six weeks from now. Meanwhile, Axios reports how extreme heat-related illnesses may stress hospitals, and WUSF Public Media covers potential “killer heat” problems for Florida’s outdoor workers.
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Swallowing Risk For Powerful Magnet Toys Prompts Mandatory Recall
The Consumer Product Safety Commission said it was pulling rare-earth magnet toys Zen Magnets and Neoballs. The move was made over the health risks from children swallowing them. Twitter, health spending disparities, psych hospital alternatives and heart rates are also in the news.
