Latest KFF Health News Stories
Louisiana Nursing Home Deaths During Hurricane Ida Prompt System Changes
The AP reports deaths of seven Louisiana nursing home residents evacuated during Hurricane Ida caused Louisiana’s Department of Health to look into future evacuation and sheltering planning. Separately, a study shows many early nursing home covid deaths likely went unreported.
Abortion Among Divisive Issues Driving Supreme Court Questions
Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett touched on the perception that politics are impacting court decisions during public remarks over the weekend. And Justice Stephen Breyer addressed calls for his retirement. Meanwhile, Texas’ restrictive abortion law continues to make waves.
Biden’s Covid-Testing Push Expected To Stretch Suppliers
The Washington Post explains how the president’s expansion of covid testing further emphasizes at-home testing. This, the Wall Street Journal notes, will stress suppliers — with CVS and Walgreens already limiting how many tests people can buy.
Midterm Pressures May Slim Down $3.5T Social Safety Net Package
News outlets report on Democrats’ worries over a planned massive spending package designed to boost the social safety net and climate change issues. 2022 midterms may be playing a role in scaling back ambitions. New taxes, child tax credit and Medicare expansion and more are also in the news.
Anticipation Grows Over Vaccine Approval For Younger Kids
A former FDA commissioner predicts that kids age 5 to 11 may be able to get the covid vaccine by the end of October. In other outreach news, 74% of eligible Americans have had at least one dose. Yet, misinformation is still keeping the shot out of many arms.
Round And Round We Go: Another Florida Court Flip-Flops Mask Order
This time, an appeals court sided with Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. Meanwhile, the Education Department says it is investigating the state over its ban on mask mandates.
Staff’s Covid Vaccine Protest Halts Baby Deliveries At NY Hospital
After 30 staffers quit over a covid vaccine mandate, Lewis County General Hospital says it can’t safely operate its maternity department. The death of an Alabama man after treatment refusals at 43 overwhelmed hospitals, plus Intermountain Healthcare delaying almost all surgeries are also in health care industry covid news.
Unvaxxed People Are 11 Times More Likely To Die Of Covid
The studies also found that vaccinated people were about five times less likely to get infected, NPR reported. Other news on the spread of covid is from Idaho, Florida, Arizona, Georgia, West Virginia, Alaska, Texas and Massachusetts.
Religious Exemption Claims On The Rise With Increased Vaccine Mandates
Though no major denomination opposes the covid vaccine — and some are actively telling church leaders not to sign exemption forms — more Americans are citing religion as a reason they won’t get the shot. News outlets examine a host of questions surrounding religious exemptions.
Federal Mandate Shakes Up Vaccine Debate For Health Workers, Companies
President Joe Biden’s announcement that all health care workers are required to get vaccinated may have a big impact on rural hospitals in particular. While employers also wrap their arms around the implications of new federal requirements, one group not impacted by them is retired seniors.
Surgeon General Defends New Vaccine Rules As ‘Legal’ And ‘Appropriate’
“The requirements that [President Joe Biden] announced are not sweeping requirements for the entire nation,” Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said during a weekend interview. “These are focused on areas where the federal government has legal authority to act.” And they won’t be the last, he and Dr. Anthony Fauci both signal.
Editorial writers tackle these public health issues.
Perspectives: Asylum Seekers Are Not A Covid Threat; When Will Covid Shift From Pandemic To Endemic?
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid and vaccine topics.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Different Takes: Benefits Of The Build Back Better Plan; Should Abortion Pill Be OTC?
Opinion writers delve into home care, abortion and more public health issues.
Editorial pages weigh in on covid, vaccines, mandates and masking.
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 “smart” clothes, food labels, pregnancy, misophonia, covid and more.
UNICEF Says US Is World’s Largest Covid Vaccine Donor
Meanwhile, a group of 112 African and 25 international organizations says the rapid proliferation of covid variants in poorly vaccinated African states is a serious risk for worsening the pandemic. Separately, the U.K.’s recent tax hike to improve health systems is only enough for two years’ support.
Mississippi Reports Doubling Of Stillbirth Numbers During Covid
The 72 fetal deaths in unvaccinated pregnant women in Mississippi since the start of the pandemic — only those past 20 weeks of gestation — are twice the expected background rate. Period poverty, rapid covid tests, deaths prompted by Ida, drugmaker Endo and more are also in the news.
Longer Looks: The 20th Anniversary Of The 9/11 Terrorist Attacks
Saturday marks two decades since terrorists hijacked four planes and crashed them into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Thousands of survivors and first responders continue to suffer significant physical and mental health problems. And for all Americans, our grief is as fresh as the bright blue sky that belied that horrifying Tuesday.
