Latest KFF Health News Stories
40% Of Americans Are Breathing Unhealthy Air, Report Finds
A report from the American Lung Association analyzed EPA data on particle pollution from wildfires, wood-burning stoves, coal-fired power plants, diesel engines and other sources. According to the report, six of the regions most affected by year-round particle pollution were in California.
Medical Debt Rises, But Unemployment Claims Hit Pandemic Low
NBC News covers rising medical debts, as CBS News talks about falling unemployment claims. Meanwhile, Las Vegas OKs the reopening of topless clubs, Kentucky’s State Fair will go ahead and the question of mask-wearing outdoors is in the news again.
Medicaid Expansion Blows Delivered By Missouri And Texas Lawmakers
A Missouri Senate budget committee nixed funding to support the expansion of Medicaid passed by voters last fall. And the Texas House rejected measures that encourage the state to expand the insurance program for residents with lower incomes.
More Trump Administration Decisions Quashed
A CDC respiratory disease expert has been reassigned, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development is withdrawing a proposed rule that would have rolled back transgender protections at homeless shelters.
Pelosi Faces Pushback From Biden, Dems In Effort To Tackle Drug Prices
Some House Democrats, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi, want the federal government to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies for lower prices on drugs covered by Medicare. But the White House has indicated it will not include health care legislation in its American Families Plan.
Bill Targeting Hate Crimes Against Asian Americans Passes Senate
The measure was approved 94-1 by the Senate Thursday. Only Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri voted against.
Child Covid Hospitalizations Surge In Michigan
As alarms are raised about the number of young people hospitalized by covid in Michigan, Washington state enters a fourth surge and New York State tops 2 million cases. But in places like Boston, Rhode Island and Los Angeles, progress is being made.
Vaccine Uptake Slows, So Some States Shift Outreach Tactics
Louisiana will stop asking for its full federally-allotted covid vaccine supply, while Mississippi is asking for smaller vials to reduce wasted doses. As vaccine uptake slows, Maryland is one place pivoting tactics to reach people who haven’t received a shot yet, or are reluctant.
Vaccines Tackle New York Variant, But Covid Isn’t Going Away
Axios reports that though vaccinations are available across the U.S., coronavirus’ spread is unchanged. Other reports cover improper Moderna doses at a military site, a study giving third doses of Pfizer vaccine to volunteers and hopes for yet another new vaccine maker.
J&J Vaccine Use Likely To Resume; Decision Expected Today
CBS News reports that officials at the CDC and FDA are “leaning toward” lifting the pause on Johnson & Johnson’s covid vaccine. Even so, the Biden administration is shifting its views and will rely more on Moderna and Pfizer for the first round of vaccinations, Politico writes, and hope J&J can contribute to booster rounds.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Investing In Climate Change For Public Health; How Do We Fix The Fentanyl Epidemic?
Editorial pages weigh in on various public health issues.
Different Takes: How Do We Convince The Vaccine-Hesitant?; Long Covid Is Not Psychosomatic
Opinion writers discuss these covid and vaccine issues.
India Hits World’s Highest Day-To-Day Rise In Covid Cases
India recorded nearly 315,000 new covid cases today. Elsewhere around the world, Pfizer confirmed fake versions of its vaccine were illegally on sale in Mexico and Poland, the EU prepares a lawsuit against AstraZeneca and covid kills young people in Brazil.
Research Roundup: Covid; How The Brain Works; CWD; Mechanical Ventilation; MERS
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
North Dakota Anti-Trans Sports Bill Vetoed; Texas Bill Set To Fail
Meanwhile, Arkansas lawmakers expanded a similar law, and Tennessee’s Senate advanced a “bathroom” bill targeting trans students in schools. Other reports from the states include marijuana laws and Medicaid.
California Theme Parks To Reopen, Some Covid Limits Remain
When Disney’s California parks open, about three dozen attractions at the parks will remain shut due to covid regulations, but out-of-state visitors are given the thumbs-up in new health guidelines. Elsewhere, vitamin supplements are recalled and Burning Man may mandate covid vaccines.
Pharmacists Are Stressed, Fatigued; OR Surgeons Worry About Surveillance
A study highlights pressures on Ohio’s pharmacists. Separately, as more monitoring tech comes to the operating room, surgeons highlight this “risky” move. Climate-disaster clinical care, antibiotic development and long covid are also in the news.
House Votes To Extend Fentanyl’s Classification As Schedule 1 Drug
Fentanyl’s Schedule 1 drugs are more highly regulated and carry mandatory minimum sentencing if involved in a crime — which is an issue for some lawmakers.
Biden Giving ACA Navigators A Huge Increase In Funds To Boost Enrollment
“Navigators play a key role in helping us educate consumers about health plan options,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement. The record-breaking $80 million amount is a sea change from the Trump administration, which slashed funding for navigators several years in a row.
