Latest KFF Health News Stories
Flaw Exposed Hospital Equipment To Hackers, But BlackBerry Kept Quiet
Politico reports a major software flaw by BlackBerry left critical hospital equipment at risk of hacking, but the company opted to keep silent for months. In other news, Dignity Health and Anthem Blue Cross sign a new California deal, a new Veterans Affairs hospital is coming to Louisville, and more.
Sackler Family Threatens To Walk Away From $4.5 Billion Opioid Pledge
The family made the threat in court Tuesday, unless they are granted immunity from all current and future civil claims associated with Purdue Pharma. Separately, experts raise worries about a sharp rise in prescriptions of stimulants, which can be highly addictive drugs.
Study Shows Fan-Attendance Limits Kept Football From Spreading Covid
CIDRAP reports on a new study showing NFL and NCAA games with in-person number limits were not linked to increased community spread of covid. Also in the news: a nursing home lawsuit; diabetes and covid in Mississippi; a cyberattack targeting Indiana’s covid tracing system; and more.
Florida Education Board Steps Up Threats To Schools Over Masks
The State Board of Education voted unanimously to investigate two school districts with mask mandates that defy Gov. Ron DeSantis’ ban, and threatened legal action. Separately, reports say over 8,000 Florida students are already in isolation or quarantine.
Texas Governor Tests Positive For Covid
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, an anti-masker who was fully vaccinated, is reportedly taking monoclonal antibody treatments. Social media posts show he recently attended a busy, mostly maskless Republican event. Separately, Disability Rights Texas is suing Abbott over his strict ban on mask mandates, alleging it’s discriminatory.
TSA Says Travelers Must Wear Masks Through Jan. 18
The mandate, initially set to expire Sept. 13, applies to airports and on planes, trains, buses and other public transportation. Other news on mandates is from L.A., Rhode Island and Atlanta.
Arizona Jumps On Bandwagon, Threatens Schools That Defy Mask Ban
Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican, told school districts with mask mandates that they have 10 days to rescind them or they will lose grant money. But in neighboring New Mexico, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, reinstated a mask mandate for all public indoor spaces. That includes all workers at public and private schools.
Delta Covid Dominates, Making Up Nearly 99% Of New US Covid Cases
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Tuesday the delta variant is now responsible for 98.8% of covid cases in the U.S. Separately, the U.S. daily death count topped over 1,000 on Tuesday for the first time since March. News outlets cover delta and breakthrough covid cases.
More People Need ICU Care In Alabama Than There Are Beds Available
Alabama Hospital Association President Don Williamson said the state is in “uncharted territory” as hospitals are overrun by covid cases. Capacity issues are also reported in Alaska, Idaho, Oklahoma and Montana. News outlets also cover hospitalization rates in Maine and Philadelphia.
Here’s Why The Biden Administration Is Speeding Up Booster Shots
A worrying drop in vaccine efficacy over time, combined with a resurgence in cases driven by the delta variant, prompted the Biden administration to accelerate its efforts, sources told Politico.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages tackle these public health issues.
Perspectives: Will FOMO Work On Vaccine-Hesitant?; Medical Exemptions For Vaccines Mostly Fake
Opinion writers examine these covid and vaccine issues.
A Single Covid Case Puts New Zealand Into 3-Day Lockdown
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern ordered the nationwide lockdown as authorities try to determine the source of the infection in Aukland — the country’s first community case since February. Separately, the CDC has added Dominica, the island of Jersey, Turkey and Montenegro to the “very high” risk covid travel list.
First Water Shortage On The Colorado River Forces Cuts For Arizona Farms
Politico calls the two-decade-long water sparsity situation a “megadrought.” The New York Times notes the biggest burden of supply cuts may be in Arizona’s farmlands. Meanwhile, reports say heat exposure has already led to “hundreds” of U.S. worker deaths since 2010.
To Avoid Pandemic Crowds, 2020 Elections Saw Big Rise In Mail-In Votes
A report by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission examines how voting habits changed last year. Meanwhile, a nationwide shrimp recall over salmonella is expanded; landlords raise worries in Washington; and news outlets cover mental health issues, including Naomi Osaka’s press conference.
Medicare Pays 3 Times Capital Cost Rate For New Hospitals Versus Old
The data come from a report from the HHS Office of Inspector General. In other health industry news, UnitedHealth’s merger with Change Healthcare is delayed; a report says most physical therapy patients sought care outside providers; a $35 million negligence case; and the Theranos trial.
Vaccine Push Visible In Job Market As New Hires Are Asked To Get Shots
Axios reports the share of job postings on Indeed.com requiring new hires to be vaccinated has jumped 90% in the past month. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Falcons are the first 100% vaxxed NFL team. Also: baseball, the Oklahoma City Zoo, a traveling vaccine salesman and fraudulent medical records.
Las Vegas Raiders Mandate Vaccines For All Home-Game Fans
The team is the first in pro football to require fans be vaccinated against covid if they want to attend home games this season. Separately, city officials in D.C. said all health care employees must get shots by Sept. 30; and museum visitors and staff in New York City must also have vaccines.
Former NFL Player Pushes Back At School Mask Rules In Tennessee
Longtime Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, who has opposed mask mandates in schools, has tweeted that he may run for the local school board. Separately, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee allowed parents to opt out of K-12 school mandates as positive covid tests among Tennessee kids are skyrocketing.
