Latest KFF Health News Stories
Food Stamp Benefits Get Biggest Bump In Program’s History
Average monthly benefits — $121 per person before the pandemic — will permanently rise by $36, The New York Times reported. At least one health expert called it “a game-changing moment.”
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: ACA Should Look To L.A. Care Example; FDA Considering Ban On Herbal Opioid Substitute
Editorial pages delve into these public health topics.
Different Takes: Rapid Antigen Tests Needed To Slow Delta; Texas Hospitals Experiencing Covid Crisis
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid, mask and vaccine issues.
WHO Presses For More Collaboration In Covid Origin Hunt
News outlets report on a World Health Organization effort to “depoliticize” the investigation into the origin of covid–as a WHO expert admits to previous concerns about a Chinese laboratory. In other news, Sinopharm’s vaccine is 50.4% effective and Indonesia uses a ferry as a floating isolation center.
‘Murder Hornet’ Spotted In Washington State For First Time This Year
A previous spotting was of a dead insect, but this new confirmed sighting was of a live example. In other news, Texas’ abortion clinics ready for shutdowns; the ACLU sues D.C. police over chemical irritant use; a Jamestown Canyon virus fatality in New Hampshire; and more.
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 caregiving, covid, diabetes, the Albanian tradition of being a “sworn virgin” and more.
Research Challenges Idea Of Metabolism Slowing As You Age
An international investigation is forcing a rethink of established ideas about how metabolism declines over a lifetime — with data supporting a stable rate between the ages of 20 and 60. Separately, a study again shows plant-based diets are the best way to avoid heart disease.
Doctors In Massachusetts Decry Nurses’ Strike During Pandemic
Five department heads at St. Vincent’s Hospital called on Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker to intervene in the strike, which has been ongoing since March, citing the action for preventing patients accessing health care. Meanwhile, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is suing to block insurer price transparency laws.
‘Date Rape’ Drug GHB Gets Official Use As Hypersomnia Treatment
Gamma-hydroxybutyrate is tightly regulated, but the Food and Drug Administration has now approved it as a treatment for rare cases of idiopathic hypersomnia, giving it another lease of life. Meanwhile, the Drug Enforcement Agency shut down a Texas drug company over regulation violations.
Supreme Court Says Some Evictions Can Proceed In New York
The disputed provision, which had been set to last through Aug. 31, blocked all eviction proceedings if the tenants declared that they were facing a covid-related financial or health hardship, Bloomberg reported. Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan dissented.
With Covid Surging, There Were No ICU Beds For Kids In Dallas Yesterday
Thursday saw the Dallas-Forth Worth area with only 75 staffed intensive care beds for adults, but the local Hospital Council warned there were none for children. A regional chief medical officer in Tennessee also reported there were “no beds” available as covid swamped local medical systems.
Schwarzenegger Blasts Anti-Maskers: ‘Screw Your Freedom’
The former California governor, a Republican, left nothing on the table: “You’re a schmuck for not wearing a mask. Because you are supposed to protect your fellow Americans around you. It’s just that simple.” Other news about masks is from Texas, Mississippi, Utah, Nevada, Oklahoma and elsewhere.
Largest Teachers Union Supports Making School Staff Get Covid Shots
Meanwhile, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis backpedals over a threat to withhold school superintendent pay if they enforce mask rules; lawsuits mount in Texas and Arizona over school mask mandates; and Utah officials who overturned a school mask rule are accused of having “blood on their hands.”
Supreme Court Allows Indiana University Vaccine Mandate To Stand
Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett on Thursday denied an emergency relief request challenging Indiana University’s requirement that all students and employees get the covid shot. It’s the first time the Supreme Court has weighed in on a vaccine mandate during the pandemic.
Oh, The Places You’ll Go With Your Vaccine Card! 2 Big Cities Enact Rules
San Francisco and New Orleans will require proof of vaccination to enter any inside venue, including bars and restaurants — and the Superdome, too. Meanwhile, Maine will become one of the first states to require covid shots for all hospital employees.
Number Of HHS, VA Workers Who Must Get Covid Shot Grows
Nearly a third of those who work for the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as an additional 245,000 Department of Veteran Affairs staffers, contractors or volunteers, are now covered under the expanded vaccination order.
Third Dose For People Who Are Immunocompromised OK’d By FDA
The Food and Drug Administration now recommends that Americans who have weaker immune systems can get a booster shot of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine at least 28 days after their second dose. The change does not impact people who got the Johnson & Johnson shot.
‘Jacking Up’ Drug Prices Has To End, Biden Says; Calls On Congress To Act
Citing Americans who skip or conserve medications because of costs, President Joe Biden urged lawmakers to include a series of measures in the $3.5 trillion budget plan under negotiation on the Hill that he says could help bring down “outrageously expensive” prescription drugs.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
