Latest KFF Health News Stories
Americans Advised ‘Do Not Travel’ To 130 More Nations By State Department
Warning of an “unprecedented risk to travelers” due to covid infections, the federal government expanded its travel guidance to now cover about 80% of the world.
50 States, All Adults: Everyone 16 Or Older Can Now Get A Covid Shot
All states have met President Joe Biden’s revised goal to open access to the covid vaccines for any adult by April 19.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Perspectives: ACA Must Expand Low-Cost Drug Access; Family Care Act Vital To New Mothers’ Health
Editorial pages tackle multiple public health issues.
Opinion writers deal with these covid and vaccine issues.
Inhalable Covid Vaccine Enters Trial In China
In other covid news across the globe, the E.U. purchased 100 million more Pfizer vaccine doses; Ontario will expand use of the AstraZeneca version; and India bans most non-medical oxygen uses as it battles a serious covid surge.
Possible Legionnaire’s Outbreak in Missouri Hot Tub
Non-covid health concerns from across the country also include lead paint, medical marijuana and a flu variant.
Lyft Develops Nonemergency Medical Transport System
In other industry news, Tom Nickels, top lobbyist for the American Hospital Association, retires at 68 and Health Care Service Corp. executives got big raises last year. (The interim CEO made $16.9 million.)
Covid Hate Crime Bill Snagged On Wording
Republicans say an Asian American hate crimes bill ties hate crimes too closely to calling covid the “China virus,” a favorite term of former President Donald Trump. More on racial disparities in health care.
Gun Violence Is A Public Health Issue, Fauci Says
The Indianapolis Star separately reports on how gun violence impacts trauma surgeons. Also, Peloton’s treadmill poses a safety risk according to the CPSC, and reports talk about covid risks during flights and how airports are battling traveler stress issues.
White House Rescinds Medicaid Waiver In Texas Over Flawed Approval Process
The waiver was approved in the final days of the Trump administration. The Biden administration says it didn’t go through the proper notice and comment period.
Restrictions On Fetal Tissue Research Lifted By Biden Administration
The White House reversed Trump-era rules that limited the use of fetal tissue in federally-funded medical research. Anti-abortion activists oppose the practice while scientists praise the move, saying such research has helped develop numerous vaccines and treatments, including for Parkinson’s, HIV and covid-19.
Biden Admin To Spend $1.7 Billion To Sequence Covid Variants
New variants make up about half of current U.S. covid cases according to the CDC. In other news, an OCD drug is touted as a potential covid treatment, and monoclonal antibodies are in the headlines again.
Alaska Plans To Vaccinate Tourists; Florida Vaccinates Foreign Students
From June 1, Alaska will offer covid vaccines to tourists arriving or leaving from the state’s four biggest airports. Meanwhile, vaccine rollouts elsewhere are struggling to reach some groups, and a celebrity-filled effort to promote vaccination hits the airwaves.
More Children And Young People In Covid ICUs
As signs of yet another covid surge materialize, doctors report more children and younger people with covid going to the hospital. Pennsylvania is now experiencing a surge as Colorado officials warn of one in that state.
Decisions On J&J Vaccine Use Likely By Friday, Fauci Says
In weekend interviews, Dr. Anthony Fauci also predicted that the pause on Johnson & Johnson’s covid shot would be lifted, though perhaps with warnings or restrictions.
US Passes Halfway Mark In Getting At Least One Shot In Adults’ Arms
As of Sunday, 50% of all Americans over 18 have received at least one dose of a covid vaccine. Such progress can’t come too soon, as the globe passes a tragic milestone of 3 million total coronavirus deaths.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages tackle firearm injury prevention, microbiome-based drugs and cold perfusion.
Different Takes: Issues with China’s Sinovac Vaccine; Getting Your Vaccine Is A Civic Responsibility
Opinion writers focus on these vaccine issues.
