Latest KFF Health News Stories
GSK Buys Rights To Experimental Targeted Cancer Immunotherapy
GlaxoSmithKline spent $625 million to secure the anti-TIGIT drug from Iteos Therapeutics. Meanwhile, Broad Institute and MD Anderson work to combat rare cancers; infusions of CRISPR patients’ own immune cells; and executive pay at Mallinckrodt are also in the news.
As The Pandemic Spread, Health Care CEOs Pocketed More Pay Than Before
Axios’ survey of 178 health care companies says CEO compensation collectively rose 31% in 2020 versus 2019 numbers. Separately, Stat reports on Vin Gupta’s medical role at Amazon, and a $10,000 research bonus for a dental student is also in the news.
Most Hospitals Are Defying Federal Rule Demanding Price Transparency
A new study in JAMA Internal Medicine says most hospitals aren’t “fully complying” with the new requirement. Cano Health, Humana, UnitedHealthcare, health lobbyists, children’s hospitals rankings, the University of Arkansas and Northern Light are also in the news.
In Unusual Rebuke, Vatican Says Biden Shouldn’t Be Denied Communion Over Abortion Issue
U.S. bishops were warned not to refuse Joe Biden — a faithful churchgoer and the nation’s second Roman Catholic president — despite his support of abortion rights.
Study Finds Transplant Patients Benefit From 3 Covid Vaccine Doses
In other news, Novavax says its covid vaccine remains effective when coadministered with an already-approved flu shot; Pfizer will study “breakthrough” covid cases; and Moderna starts a study at Emory University into covid vaccine boosters.
Taylor Greene Apologizes For Her ‘Offensive’ Holocaust Comparison To Masks
Following a trip to the Holocaust Museum, Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene says she made a mistake. She is facing possible censure for the earlier remark. Meanwhile, vaccinated members and staff no longer have to wear masks in the House chamber and lawmakers hold a moment of silence for the 600,000 Americans who have died of covid.
Freedom And Unity: Living Up To Its Motto, Vermont Hits 80% Vaccination
The state is lifting all of its remaining covid restrictions after becoming the first in the U.S. to reach the one-dose milestone.
Delta Variant Twice As Likely To Cause Hospitalization, Study Shows
Researchers in Scotland compared delta to the alpha strain, formerly referred to as the U.K. variant.
Argument Over Masks Triggers Deadly Georgia Supermarket Shooting
A grocery store cashier is dead and others injured when a customer returned to the store with a gun following words about face coverings, the DeKalb County sheriff says. Mask requirements news is reported elsewhere, as well.
Big Day For California: Most Covid Restrictions Now Lifted
At midnight, state orders on business capacity limits, social distancing and mask mandates ended. Meanwhile, state officials continue to push for more people to get vaccinated.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers weigh in on these various public health issues.
Different Takes: Mixing Vaccines Could Prove More Effective; US Still Has a PPE Supply Problem
Opinion writers tackle these covid, PPE and vaccine issues.
England’s Reopening May Be Delayed A Month As Delta Variant Surges
In other news, Germany has reported the fewest new covid cases in nine months; Moscow enters a new lockdown amid a surge; two monkeypox cases are reported in the U.K.; and a Danish soccer star’s heart suddenly stopped during a game Saturday.
Ohio Budget Could Exempt Doctors From Procedures On Religious Grounds
Hospitals could also refuse to provide treatment and insurers could refuse to pay on moral belief grounds under a clause in the state budget bill. Separately, a bill in Washington could permanently expand telehealth services under Medicare.
More Elderly People Are Prescribed Drugs That Could Lead To Falls
The Washington Post reports on a two-decade-long rise in the use of drugs that can raise fall risks in older people. Meanwhile, rural children have greater difficulty finding health care, and a mom in Florida is demanding better labeling on marijuana edibles.
Florida Autism Service Provider Pushes Back At Medicaid Verification Failures
Positive Behavior Support alleges the electronic visit-verification system is invalidating behavior-analysis claims by changing them after submission. In other news, the Department of Health and Human Services will give $424 million to boost rural health clinic covid efforts.
As Variant Threat Lingers, California Prepares For Reopening
Most social distancing rules will lift on Tuesday in California. The lingering threat from variants, mask rules in churches and how theme parks will check vaccine status are also in the news, as is a report noting the stricter lockdown in the state didn’t hurt the economy.
Judge Rejects Houston Medical Workers’ Anti-Vaccine Mandate Lawsuit
Houston Methodist’s requirement for employee covid vaccines is valid, a federal judge ruled. Meanwhile, reports say a shortage of physicians could top 139,000 by 2033, and a shortage of psychiatric workers is leading to long waits for children’s mental health care.
Special Report: Axios Investigates Predatory Billing At Top US Hospitals
The news group, in partnership with Johns Hopkins University, takes a deeper look at rising deductibles and out-of-pocket costs that are increasingly leaving patients with bloated medical bills.
