Latest KFF Health News Stories
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, horseshoe crab blood, sweat, cannabis, Theranos and more.
Novavax Seeking Approval To Vaccinate Low-Income Countries First
U.S.-based Novavax said yesterday it’s asked regulators in India, Indonesia and the Philippines for emergency approval of its covid vaccine. Separately, China announced it will export 2 billion vaccine doses this year, and pay $100 million to the WHO-backed Covax program.
California Governor Urges Clearing Of Homeless Camps, More ‘Compassion’
“People shouldn’t be living out in the streets and sidewalks … and the notion that until everything is perfect, we can’t do anything [about encampments], I completely reject,” Gov. Gavin Newsom told the Los Angeles Times on Thursday.
Study Links Opioid Dose-Tapering With Risk Of Crisis, Overdose
Researchers looked at long-term pain patients trying to taper their doses and found a greater risk of mental health crisis and overdose. A separate analysis shows how opioid use across the U.S. varies by insurance coverage, with men and employed adults less likely to be prescribed.
‘Skinny Labels’ Court Ruling May Complicate Generic Drug Sales
Stat reports on a recent federal appeals court ruling about how generic drug makers can market their products. Modern Healthcare, meanwhile, reports on how health insurers allegedly use biologic shortage to boost biosimilars. Junk DNA, audits, PPE and FEMA are also in the news.
Amendments, CBO Scoring Push Key Infrastructure Vote To Weekend
Plans for a Thursday vote were scuttled as debate over amendments extended late into the night. Earlier in the day, the Congressional Budget Office confirmed Republican complaints that the bill is not paid for and would add to the deficit. The CBO score also noted that payments to Medicare providers would take a hit.
Covid Overwhelms Houston Hospitals — Some Send Patients Out Of State
Smaller facilities in Houston are reportedly having to send covid patients to other hospitals after being overwhelmed. Separately, Arkansas hospitals are battling staff burnout and shortages, and Stateline reports on how the mental health of health workers has been “devastated” by the pandemic.
CDC Advises Masks In Substantial- And High-Risk Counties — That’s 8 In 10
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, noted in a briefing that over 80% of U.S. counties already meet the community covid spread criteria to require indoor masking. News outlets also cover mask rules in Maryland and Connecticut.
NJ Governor Plans School Mask Rule, Snipes At ‘Knucklehead’ Protesters
Gov. Phil Murphy plans to announce today that students in New Jersey will have to wear masks when public schools open, due to covid surges. In a speech Wednesday, he angrily lashed out at anti-mandate protesters, pointing out that 80% of recent positive tests were among the unvaccinated.
Milwaukee NBA Celebrations Linked To 500-Case Covid Surge
The Deer District in Milwaukee, where “massive” celebrations happened as the NBA championship played out, is now linked to nearly 500 covid infections. Separately, the south Texas city of Mission is setting up tents to quarantine positive-testing migrants crossing the Mexican border.
Delta Covid ‘Tsunami’ Hits Mississippi; Florida Only Has ‘So Many Beds’
The AP reports on Mississippi’s State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs describing the wave of covid infections hitting his state, and on words from Dr. Marc Napp, chief medical officer for Memorial Healthcare System in Hollywood, Florida, on how resources are badly stretched by new cases.
Study Shows Covid Rate Nearly Doubled For US Children Last Week
A study from the American Academy of Pediatrics shows covid cases rose 84% for the last week of July compared with the previous week — close to doubling the infection rate. News outlets cover the recent “chickenpox” infectiousness analogy, delta covid’s risks for kids and parental transmission.
Where Covid Hit Hardest, Vaccinations Now Surge
Biden administration covid response coordinator Jeff Zients noted that states like Alabama, Arkansas and Oklahoma are now rapidly administering covid shots. News outlets note some states in the South have been among the worst hit by recent surges in covid, driven by the delta variant.
More States Mandate Shots For Health Workers, Government Employees
In the most comprehensive state requirement yet, California will mandate workers in most health care settings to be fully vaccinated by the end of next month. Hospitals and long-term care facilities must also verify that indoor visitors have been vaccinated. Maryland also announced new requirements for health care workers, as well as those employed at jails.
White House Could Use Funding To Press Businesses On Vaccinations
The Washington Post reports that Biden administration officials are having preliminary conversations about using regulatory powers to withhold funds from institutions like long-term-care facilities, cruise ships and universities that aren’t doing enough to encourage employee or customer vaccinations. The White House is also eyeing opportunities to spur youth shots.
Moderna Vaccine Maintains 93% Efficacy Through First Six Months
The final analysis of Moderna’s Phase 3 trial shows that its shot offers “durable efficacy” against symptomatic covid through six months. The drugmaker is planning to apply for full Food and Drug Administration approval this month.
FDA To Soon Roll Out Booster Plan For Immunocompromised People
As early as next month, the Food and Drug Administration is expected to recommend that Americans with compromised immune systems receive an additional dose of the covid vaccine.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Insurance Shouldn’t Decide What’s An Emergency; Vaccines Never Used To Be Political
Editorial writers weigh in on these various public health topics.
Opinion writers delve into covid, vaccines, booster shots and future pandemics.
