Latest KFF Health News Stories
Democrats’ Hopes For Drug Pricing Bill Slips As Biden Pushes Other Priorities
President Joe Biden is expected to omit drug pricing proposals from his budget plan later this week, and Democratic lawmakers are at odds on what bills they can support. But that isn’t stopping drugmakers from launching a major ad campaign attacking efforts to rein in their prices.
WHO Pushes Treaty On Future Pandemics Until November
Pressure from the U.S. and other nations caused the delay. Separately, the World Health Organization is looking into Italy’s pandemic response and a potential second Chinese vaccine.
Covid Cases Fall, But Pandemic Isn’t Over Yet
The CDC is concerned about Memorial Day celebrations spreading covid. Higher covid rates are still reported for Black and Hispanic Americans. And HHS will fund testing for uninsured people.
From 0 To 50% In 6 Months: Half Of American Adults Are Fully Vaccinated
As the U.S. passes a huge milestone, campaigns to vaccinate younger people are increased. And some states are trying creative ways to get shots in the arms of the remaining population.
CDC Says ‘Breakthrough’ Post-Vaccine Covid Cases Are Rare
Data shows only around 10,000 people were infected with coronavirus after they’d been fully vaccinated, the CDC revealed. Only 2% of those people then died. More than 130 million people have been fully vaccinated.
Moderna To Seek FDA Authorization For Use Of Its Vaccine In Teens
Moderna said its vaccine is good for children as young as 12 and will submit its data to FDA next month for approval. Other news related to youth vaccinations includes the CDC’s myocarditis probe, testing younger kids and mandates.
Biden Choice To Run CMS Wins Senate Confirmation Vote
The nomination of Chiquita Brooks-LaSure was approved by 55 votes. She will run the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which also oversees the children’s insurance program and the insurance marketplaces set up by the Affordable Care Act.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Nursing Shortage Has Easy Solution; Ways Employers Can Help With Mental Health
Editorial writers delve into nursing shortages, mental health and Alzheimer’s.
Different Takes: CDC Mask Guidance Not Complicated; Will Covid Become Seasonal Like The Flu?
Opinion writers tackle these covid, vaccine and mask issues.
Vaccine ‘Passport’ Ban Enacted In Alabama; Rhode Island Struggles On Marijuana Legalization Deal
Covid and other public health news is reported from Alabama, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, Florida, New Hampshire, Oregon, New York and Colorado.
Covid Cases In India Dip But Deadly ‘Black Fungus’ Cases Rise
Nearly 9,000 cases of mucormycosis, known as “black fungus,” have been reported in India. Experts say it is tied to the high use of steroids in treating covid patients. As India struggles to determine its next steps to fight the pandemic, other countries are concerned about possible spread of the covid variant that has developed in India. Plus, other news about the battle around the world to defeat covid.
Optogenetics Treatment Partly Restores Blind Man’s Vision
By constructing light-capturing proteins in one eye, scientists have been able to return some vision to sufferer of retinitis pigmentosa. Other research news covers induced bonding in mice by brain stimulation, and bloody test strategies for antibiotic therapies.
Covid’s Threat To Children Assessed
Also news on schools and on other children’s health issues.
Covid Research: Black Patients’ Symptoms Often Ignored
Other covid studies on impact of underlying medical conditions and long-term antibody levels
Anti-Abortion Laws Advance; Texas Plans For The End Of Roe V. Wade
The Ohio city of Lebanon may vote to outlaw abortion today and declare itself a “sanctuary city for the unborn.” Meanwhile, Republican-led lawmakers in Texas have advanced a bill to almost immediately outlaw abortions if Roe v. Wade is reversed.
One California County Sees Fentanyl Deaths Double During Pandemic
A new study says deaths from fentanyl in Santa Clara County in 2020 more than doubled over the previous two years. Separately, a West Virginia city will get a $200,000 grant to fight substance abuse.
Congress Considers $30 Billion In ‘Biobonds’ For Small Drug Companies
The “biobonds” would be used to finance drug development by small firms or universities.
Racial Segregation In Urban Hospitals Is Widespread
Highly racially inclusive hospitals are often nearby some of the most segregated ones, a new report finds. Meanwhile, news outlets cover a national year of racial “reckoning” after the death of George Floyd.
State Department And CDC, Citing Virus, Warn Against Travel To Japan
Although the announcements by U.S. officials, citing a surge in the covid virus, did not directly address plans for the July Olympics, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee said it still anticipates that American athletes will be able to safely. Japan also said athletes would be safe during the competition.
