Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: The No Surprises Act Would Reduce Medical Debt; Medicare Expansion Long Overdue
Editorial writers weigh in on these health care issues.
Opinion writers examine these covid, mask and vaccine topics.
Greece, Ireland Among 16 New ‘Very High’ Covid Risk Zones, CDC Says
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention added 16 new destinations to its level 4 covid warning list, including St. Martin and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Separately, Germany has decided to offer vaccine booster shots in September to people considered vulnerable to covid infections.
San Francisco Steps Up Overdose Care With Response Teams
The city suffered over 700 overdose-related deaths last year, prompting the new initiative which rolled out this week. Meanwhile, Allegheny County’s District Attorney is copying the Philadelphia DA’s effort to sue Pennsylvania over the recent opioid settlement, alleging it was an unsuitable deal.
Over 750,000 Cancer Cases In 2020 Linked To Alcohol Consumption
A study published in July’s Lancet Oncology found over 4% of new cancers were caused by alcohol consumption. Separately, reports say more children may have developed nearsightedness as a side effect of the covid pandemic — with less outdoor time and more screen time suggested as reasons.
Sanofi Expands mRNA Vaccine Efforts By Buying Translate Bio For $3.2B
Translate Bio was already Sanofi’s partner in an effort to try to build an mRNA covid vaccine. Separately, reports say the Federal Trade Commission has reluctantly withdrawn a remaining claim in a lawsuit over a so-called pay-to-delay deal with Abbvie.
CMS Suggests State Medicaid Programs Could Help Insure Home Health Aides
A proposed CMS rule change would permit state Medicaid agencies to use voluntary payroll deductions from home health workers’ wages to pay third parties for benefits–including insurance. Meanwhile, a change to CMS pay rules means inpatient services payments in 2022 may go up by $2.3 billion.
Biden To Keep Trump’s Covid Measure Limiting Entry To Migrants
Citing the shifting state of the covid pandemic, the Biden administration plans to leave in place a public health rule instituted by the Trump administration that effectively turns away almost all migrants from the U.S. Immigration advocates and the ACLU are fighting Title 42 in court.
Post-Exposure Antibody Treatment For Covid Approved By FDA
The REGEN-COV drug–with a first dose injected within 96 hours–must not be considered a vaccine substitute according to the Food and Drugs Administration. Covid recovery clinics, long covid, age-differentiated covid symptoms and obesity links to severe covid are also in the news.
McDonald’s Says Customers Must Wear Masks; Louisiana Mandates Them, Too
People who crave a Big Mac in an area with high or substantial transmission of the coronavirus will be required to wear a face covering inside the restaurant. In Louisiana, the requirement also includes schools and colleges. Other mask news is from Michigan, Maine, New York, California and Oklahoma.
Anger Over Eviction Ban Expiration Flares As White House Searches For Fix
The rush is on to keep millions of Americans from becoming homeless. A group of Democrats in the House are pressing the White House to issue a new eviction moratorium. But the Biden administration says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention doesn’t have the legal authority to do so and is calling on Congress and local state officials to take steps to protect people. Meanwhile, eviction cases pushed by landlords are already starting to pile up in court.
It’s 2020 All Over Again: Covid Cases Surpass Last Summer’s Peak
The seven-day average of covid cases hit 72,790 on Friday, according to the CDC. Last summer, the country was reporting about 68,700 new cases per day, CNBC reported. In Iowa, one public health director didn’t mince words: “If you remain unvaccinated, you will get COVID.”
Florida And Texas Are Covid Epicenters With Third Of US Cases Reported There
In Florida, criticism grows over Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ lack of response to skyrocketing covid case counts and record hospitalizations. And local leaders in some parts of Texas take new steps to fight the outbreak.
‘Very Glad I Was Vaccinated’: Graham’s Breakthrough Case In First For Senate
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of North Carolina tested positive for covid. He’s only experiencing mild effects from the virus for which he credits the vaccine: “My symptoms would be far worse.” Other senators who could have been exposed at an outdoor weekend event rushed to get tested.
Vaccinations Up In All 50 States; White House Highlights South’s Uptick
As covid spikes are blamed on the delta covid variant, reports show that vaccination rates are now trending upward in all 50 states. White House covid response coordinator Jeff Zients noted the “positive” trend in some southern states. Kentucky’s governor also noted a vaccine uptick as delta spreads like “wildfire.”
At Least 4 More Hospital Systems Join Health Care Vaccine Mandate List
All 29,000 Memorial Hermann employees must be covid vaccinated by Oct. 9 or must voluntarily resign. Kaiser Permanente, Norton Healthcare and Baptist Health are also reported to require their staff to be vaccinated. News outlets cover other vaccine, covid regulations across the country.
US Passes 70% Vaccination Milestone; White House Stresses Job Not Done
The nation reached the mark a month later than the July 4 target President Joe Biden set. Meanwhile, the administration plans a global pandemic summit as disease experts predict the virus’ path over the next few years.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers tackle these public health issues.
Viewpoints: Unvaxxed Should Deal With Restrictions; How Nicobar Islands Have Avoided Second Wave
Opinion writers examine these covid, mask and vaccine issues.
