Latest KFF Health News Stories
Review Of $2.1 Billion J&J Baby Powder Payout Ruled Out By Supreme Court
Meanwhile, among other news reports say regular childhood ailments have been kept at bay by covid hygiene protocols, one flu subtype is getting easier to vaccinate against and ticks bearing Lyme disease are found flourishing on the California coast.
Senators Pursue Funding Boost To Tackle Mental Health Emergencies
A bipartisan bill seeks to move mental health crisis responses away from police. Meanwhile, debate about mental health continues after Naomi Osaka quit the French Open, and the Washington Football Team has hired its first full-time psychologist.
McKinsey’s Role In Opioid Crisis Targeted In NYC Lawsuit
In other news, lower demand for covid tests hits profits at Abbott; increasing hopes that new gene therapy methods will help more diseases; and new science explains how LSD interacts with the brain.
JAMA Editor Quits After Backlash
Dr. Howard Bauchner has been on administrative leave since March while the AMA investigated the origins of a podcast and related tweet that said no physicians are racist. “Although I did not write or even see the tweet, or create the podcast, as editor in chief, I am ultimately responsible for them,” Bauchner said in a statement.
Anesthesia Provider Will Pay $260K To Settle ‘Surprise Billing’ Claims
Patients in Massachusetts didn’t know that South Shore Anesthesia Associates was out of network until they received a bill, the Boston Globe reported. News is also on Quorum Health, QHR Health, Grant Avenue Capital, AHIP, Epic Systems Corp., CVS and Amazon Web Services.
A Cure For Covid May Come Sooner Than You Think
While most of the world’s attention is focused on getting vaccines to more people, scientists are scrambling to find a cure. PBS NewsHour takes a deeper look. Also, news on covid reinfections, blood donations and long covid in children.
Obamacare Prices Continue To Slide As ACA’s Big Day Looms In Supreme Court
A new analysis shows that the cost of plans sold on marketplaces has declined for a third year, Stateline reports. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court begins the last month of its current term with several major cases still to be decided, including a challenge to the Affordable Care Act.
Covid Still Impacting Nursing Homes
AP covers ongoing outbreaks and deaths in nursing homes despite vaccines. Meanwhile, worries of an ongoing “grief pandemic” after covid grow. Disney cruises, Colorado churches, Kentucky’s senior centers and California mask rules are also in the news.
Vaccine Incentives Hit New High With $5 Million New Mexico Prize
Kroger is also giving away a $1 million covid vaccine prize, and Krispy Kreme says it’s given out over 1.5 million incentivizing doughnuts. Separately, Alaska’s airport vaccine program begins and New York’s “Excelsior Pass” vaccine passport rolls out.
Urgency Of Calls On US To Share Vaccine Stock Ramps Up
As the world waits for details of the U.S. plan to share vaccine supplies with other countries, Secretary of State Antony Blinken says that distribution will start soon. AP reports on a debate in the administration about sharing with the neediest nations or with U.S. allies.
Fauci’s Released Emails Open Window Into Early Days Of Pandemic
Through the Freedom of Information Act, The Washington Post and BuzzFeed obtained and made public Dr. Anthony Fauci’s email correspondence for the first six months of 2020. Media outlets are poring through the thousands of pages to offer up highlights.
A Shot Of Pfizer And A J&J Booster? US To Study Mixing Vaccines
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is launching an early-stage trial to research whether people can be effectively and safely given a booster shot different from their original covid-19 vaccine.
Moderna Asks For Full FDA Authorization Of Covid Vaccine
Both Moderna and Pfizer have now applied to the Food and Drug Administration to move beyond the emergency use authorization that their respective vaccines are currently administered under. Full approval would allow the companies to market directly to consumers and make it easier for schools and employers to mandate covid shots.
Tulsa Race Massacre Anniversary Shines Light On Entrenched Health Divide
The Wall Street Journal reports on data that show more deaths from heart and lung disease, diabetes and cancer as well as lower life expectancies for Black people living in North Tulsa, the neighborhood attacked and burnt down in 1921 by a white mob. President Joe Biden spoke at the site to commemorate the anniversary and pledge efforts to address the health and wealth gaps with deep roots on that day.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Perspectives: Organ Transplant Complicates Vaccine Efficacy; Herd Immunity Is Not The Solution
Opinion writers tackle these covid and vaccine issues.
Editorial writers delve into these public health issues.
Peru’s Covid Death Toll Is Three Times The Official Count
In other news, Malaysia is rationing care as it battles a surge of covid hospitalizations, Venezuela’s vaccine program begins, Australia maintains a ban on most international travel and more.
China Reports Covid Detected Again
Part of a major Chinese city locks down because covid flares up and a bird flu hits a Chinese man. Also, several reports on China’s new three-child policy.
Georgia Bans Most School Mask Mandates; Utah Sees Spiking STD Rates
Meanwhile, Mississippi’s mental health services are in the news, Florida’s Supreme Court tackles lawsuits against cigarette makers, pesticide contamination worries hit a Massachusetts town and more.
