Latest KFF Health News Stories
Biden Warns Of Delta Danger During Road Trip To Urge Vaccinations
“Six hundred thousand-plus Americans have died, and with this delta variant you know there’s going to be others as well. You know it’s going to happen. We’ve got to get young people vaccinated,” President Joe Biden said during a visit to a community center in Raleigh, North Carolina. The White House is deploying other top officials to other parts of the country to encourage Americans to get the covid shot.
White House Planning To Lift Public Health Rule Blocking Migrants At Border
A Trump-era rule put in place during the pandemic allows border agents to turn away adult migrants at the southern border. The New York Times reports that the Biden administration is in the late stages of planning to phase out the measure. Other health and safety issues facing migrants to the U.S. is also in the news.
Fate Of Infrastructure Deal Intertwined With Reconciliation Bill Featuring Health Care Funding
President Joe Biden joined a group of 10 senators at the White House Thursday to announce that a bipartisan agreement on a $1.2 trillion infrastructure package — that includes water safety projects. But Biden said he would not sign any such legislation until Congress also passes a larger bill that allocates additional spending on “human infrastructure,” such as education and health care.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Mississippi Case Could Overturn Roe V. Wade; Why Aduhelm Gained FDA Approval
Editorial writers tackle these public health issues.
Perspectives: Delta Variant Spreading Rapidly Among Unvaccinated; Steps To Avoid Another Pandemic
Opinion writers weigh in on these Covid and vaccine topics.
Research Roundup: Heart Health; Teen Substance Abuse; Fertility Drugs; More
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Japan’s Emperor Signals Concern The Olympics Will Worsen Covid Outbreak
In a rare statement, Emperor Naruhito says he is worried about current rates of covid in Japan and is concerned the upcoming Olympics will cause a rise in covid infections. Separately, a medical staff shortage is reportedly to blame, in part, for Japan’s slow vaccine rollout.
White House To Send 3 Million J&J Covid Shots To Brazil
Brazil on Wednesday reported a single-day record of 115,228 new covid cases, as the virus outbreak accelerates there. Separately, Reuters reports on how the Covax program to help poorer nations fight covid is falling short of its goal to deliver vaccines.
Florida Bill Protects Students With Disabilities From Dangerous Restraints
The new bill, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis requires schools to follow stricter punishment guidelines, and prohibits using “seclusion” punishments and face-down restraints. Hospice programs, dentistry, medical pot and counseling for AIDS patients are also in the news.
Psychologists Seeing Mental Health, Behavioral Issues Caused By Pandemic
NBC News reports on how stress and other mental health issues caused by the pandemic and lockdowns are impacting society. USA Today, meanwhile, notes that 4 in 10 Americans are still wearing masks, even though they’re much less anxious about covid now.
Lung Cancer Combination Drug Trial Reports ‘Encouraging’ Results
Arcus Biosciences’ two-drug combination includes anti-TIGIT antibodies. Separately, what lessons cancer researchers can learn from the pandemic; the role of AI in drug-discovery research; and the quest to develop a blood test for lung cancer.
Maryland Hospital Workers Rally, Say They’re Being Denied Covid Pay
In other news, mental health facility shortages can “trap” kids in ER beds for days; increased medical calls in San Francisco are delaying ambulance responses; a Tennessee doctor pleads guilty in an opioid death case; and Princeton Community Hospital has a new CEO.
Cigna’s Express Scripts Sues To Reclaim $43 Million In Tax Refunds
Cigna alleges the IRS wrongfully denied the insurer use of a particular income tax deduction. Meanwhile, reports say hospitals are “largely” not complying with new federal price transparency regulations, with less than a quarter of hospitals properly reporting all data.
Judge: Missouri Medicaid Expansion Ballot Initiative Was Unconstitutional
The court ruling essentially upholds Missouri Republican Gov. Mike Parson’s decision last month not to expand Medicaid, despite a voter-approved ballot measure.
Senate Finance Committee Pressed To Look At Cost Of New Alzheimer’s Drug
Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bill Cassidy want Congress to look at how pricey Aduhelm will impact the Medicare program. Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration, which recently approved the controversial drug, has been without a permanent commissioner for six months.
FDA Faces Criticism Over Lack Of Action On Youth Vaping Epidemic
During a congressional hearing on e-cigarettes, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Janet Woodcock was grilled on the agency’s plans to address the public health crisis.
Smuggled Video Provides Glimpse Of Dangerous And ‘Heartbreaking’ Conditions At El Paso Migrant Camp
A BBC investigation provides fresh details of some of the unsanitary and treacherous conditions — including alleged sexual abuse, covid outbreaks and lice — for over 2,000 unaccompanied minors living at a Fort Bliss military base tent camp run by the Department of Health and Human Services. Separately, CBS News reports on the mental toll for those youngsters, including suicide risks.
Hospitals Appeal Again To HHS For More Time To Spend Covid Relief Funds
Hospitals face a June 30 deadline to give back any unused Provider Relief Fund grants received more than a year prior. In other Biden administration news, next moves are debated on a new health agency and ways to fix the Affordable Care Act.
Buttigieg Says Companies Should Be Encouraged To Use Vaccine Passports
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg was asked about Texas’ vaccine passport ban, and said the federal government should encourage their use. Separately, San Francisco may be the first U.S. city to mandate covid vaccines for all government employees.
