Latest KFF Health News Stories
As Case Numbers Fall, Experts Start To Consider The End Of The Pandemic
Stat reports on how previous epidemics and pandemics hold clues for the end of covid, while NBC News covers psychologists’ warnings that the return to normality may have long-term mental health effects.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Steps To A Safer ER For Nurses; How Do We Plan For The Next Pandemic?
Editorial pages examine these public health issues.
Perspectives: Ways To Persuade The Vaccine Holdouts; Adults Unmasking Is Risky For Unvaxxed Kids
Opinion writers discuss vaccines and masking issues.
UK Has Over 2,300 People With Indian Covid Variant As It Starts Unlocking
Hugging, drinking beer with dinner indoors and other normal habits were all okayed in the U.K. starting this week, but officials reported over 2,300 people were carrying the more infectious Indian variant. CNBC reports on worries this variant could soon become dominant there.
India Passes 25 Million Cases Of Covid As Surge Hits Rural Areas
Bloomberg reports on how “entire families” are wiped out by covid in India, as CNBC covers how decades of neglect in the public health system have had an impact. Elsewhere, the U.N. asks for vaccine supplies, and Canadians get some surplus U.S. shots.
Iowa Shifts Mental Health Care Funding To State In Tax Rearrangement
Iowa Democrats argue that the move, part of a large tax cut, doesn’t guarantee the state will properly fund mental health care services in the future. Meanwhile, North Carolina lawmakers pursue non-police responses to mental health crises, and San Francisco’s homeless mental health team gets to work.
Working Too Hard Can Kill You, Global WHO Analysis Says
The World Health Organization estimates that in 2016 nearly 750,000 people died globally because they worked at least 55 hours a week. In other news, the FDA recalls some pacemakers due to an electrical issue, and aspirin is linked to protecting the brain from pollution exposure.
FDA Pushes Back On Claims Made For Unapproved Covid Antibody Drug
The covid antibody drug leronlimab had been publicly promoted for saving lives by maker CytoDyn, but the FDA’s statement says it’s not so. Meanwhile, a more powerful naloxone version is on the way. And Congress prepares to question the CEO of AbbVie over drug pricing.
Six Drugmakers Warned To Reinstate 340B Discounts Or Face Steep Fines
The Health Resources and Services Administration sent letters to AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi and United Therapeutics. They could face a $5,000 penalty for every violation.
Despite Pandemic, Hospital Group Still Aggressively Billing Patients: Report
A CNN investigation found that Community Health Systems has filed at least 19,000 lawsuits over allegedly unpaid medical bills since March 2020. One expert told CNN that although CHS is hardly the only hospital group to sue patients during the pandemic, its aggressive strategy stands out.
Michigan’s Medicaid Premiums Propel Healthier People To Drop Out
Researchers find that new monthly premiums charged by Michigan to some of its Medicaid enrollees prompted healthier people to leave the program, which could result in problems for managed care programs or result in state spending at hospitals who treat the uninsured patients.
Ohio’s $1 Million Covid Vaccine Lottery Pays Off: A Boost In Uptake
Meanwhile, Vermont declares an “EMS Week” in appreciation of emergency responders and to promote vaccine uptake; rural North Florida is reported to have low vaccination rates; and reports say the reason many Americans are vaccine-hesitant is because they’ve heard inaccurate side-effect stories.
‘Honor System’ Already Shows Cracks As More Businesses Drop Mask Rules
The mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, told CNN, “I say this respectfully to the CDC but we really need to get back to a point where it’s encouraging (people) to get vaccinated and more of that focus rather than celebrating our newfound freedoms, because the honor system just ain’t working here.”
Unmasking Begins To Happen Across New York And New Jersey, With Caveats
New York officials say masks will be required for unvaccinated people and will be required on public transport and in schools, despite broader moves to unlock the state. Meanwhile, New Jersey’s Gov. Phil Murphy is refusing to lift the state’s indoor mask mandate.
US Covid Infections Fall To Levels Not Seen Since Mid-September
While U.S. infections are down 50% from last month and Texas recorded zero daily deaths on Sunday, the news is not all good: Texas reported a spike in deaths a day later, and worries continue about the more infectious Indian variant which has now reached the U.S.
Deputy Director Anne Schuchat Stepping Down From CDC
Anne Schuchat’s retirement comes on the heels of another high-level departure at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nancy Messonnier, who led the agency’s response to the covid pandemic, is also leaving.
ACA Could See Boost From Biden Administration Shift On Immigrant Insurance
On Friday, President Joe Biden reversed a Trump administration rule that would have rejected visas for applicants who couldn’t prove they can afford health insurance.
Biden Ups Vaccine Donations To Other Nations, Will Include All Types
The White House is pledging an additional 20 million doses and will include Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson shots in the mix. Previously only AstraZeneca’s vaccine was announced, which is not yet approved in the U.S.
Supreme Court To Hear Mississippi Abortion Case That Challenges Roe V. Wade
The conservative-majority court will hear the case next term. Mississippi’s law banning most abortions after 15 weeks was blocked by lower courts, finding it in conflict with Roe v. Wade and subsequent abortion decisions.
