Latest KFF Health News Stories
Trial Shows Psychedelic Drug As Good As Common Antidepressant
A study in London compared psilocybin and escitalopram (Lexapro) and found them equivalent for treating depression. In other research news, snoring is linked to learning difficulties for kids, and DDT is found to impact another generation’s health.
Hospitals Again Struggling With Influx Of Covid Patients
Michigan and Oregon hospitals are hit hard. In other health care industry news, Cleveland’s University Hospitals made as much money last year as the year before, Massachusetts to “crack down” on high-cost hospitals and a VA hospital wastes $172,000 in stents.
Biden Signs Extension That Puts Off Medicare Funding Cuts
Under sequestration, the recent stimulus bill would have triggered budget reductions to Medicare as well as other social safety net programs. This bill pushes such cuts off until at least the end of the year. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services also announces hospital pricing transparency policies.
FDA Works On New Drug-Approval Rules
The Food and Drug Administration is urged to work up policies for drugs withdrawn after being deemed unsafe or ineffective. It also is working on new rules for approving old drugs in order to replace the unsuccessful Unapproved Drug Initiative.
Biden Proposes Repeal Of Trump’s Abortion ‘Gag-Rule’ Regulation
The Biden administration proposed the repeal of Trump-era regulations barring abortion referrals and making other changes intended to evict Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers from the federal family planning program, Title X.
On First Day, FEMA Hotline Swamped With 1M Calls Seeking Funeral Help
Adding to the stress for some applicants, a prerecorded message on the hotline says that information they provide may be shared with the Department of Homeland Security.
‘Breakthrough’ Covid Cases In Already-Vaccinated Are As Expected
The CDC notes that nearly 6,000 covid ‘breakthrough’ infections are proof that vaccinations do work, but not with 100% efficiency. Meanwhile, reports say 300 million vaccine doses could be in the US by July, sparking hoarding worries.
When Will Kids Start Getting Vaccinated? Pfizer Trials Enroll Younger Subjects
As clinical testing for Pfizer’s covid vaccine enrolls children as young as 6 months old, trials at Stanford Medicine and Children’s Mercy are in the news.
Study Links Filling Aircraft Middle Seats With Higher Covid Risk
Keeping those seats empty more than halves the risk of covid exposure. Separately, a study links inactivity with an increased risk of covid death, and worries rise that pandemic loneliness is increasing risks to health and lifespans.
Covid Surges, Variants Spread, But States Shrug At Shutdowns
As North Dakota notes its covid variant case count has doubled this month, and the unexpected rise of infections in Maine’s small towns confounds expectations, the AP reports that more state shutdowns to prevent the virus spreading are unlikely.
Local Disruptions From Johnson & Johnson Halt ‘Minimal’
News outlets in North Carolina, California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Florida and Texas report on the impact of temporarily halting the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
How The J&J Pause Affects The Total Vaccination Effort
The suspension of the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine slows down the already-slow vaccination efforts, and some state officials worry it will add to vaccine hesitancy. The Biden administration said it is accelerating use of other vaccines.
J&J Vaccine In Limbo As Deadlocked CDC Panel Delays Vote
The Johnson & Johnson covid vaccine pause will likely last at least another week after the vaccine experts that advise the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention delayed any decision. Many members said they need more information and data to assess safety protocols.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages address these various public health issues.
Viewpoints: Cave Syndrome Caused By Pandemic Isolation; Deaf Communities Experience Vaccine Hurdles
Opinion writers tackle these Covid and vaccine issues.
Covid Variants Ravage Canada and Latin America
For the first time, Canada has more daily covid cases, as a percentage of its population, than the United States. Hospitals are stressed as more patients arrive.
Perspectives: Drug-Pricing Reform May Come At The Expense Of Your Health
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
With Drug-Pricing Proposals, PhRMA Aims To Show It Can Compromise
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Montana’s Governor Bans Vaccine Passports
In other covid news across the states, Baltimore’s vaccination efforts are reaching more vulnerable residents, a report highlights how having covid relates to getting medical parole and young Minnesota wrestlers catch covid at a South Dakota event.
