Latest KFF Health News Stories
Michigan Reopens After 15 Months And The Worst Springtime Covid Surge
Meanwhile, the largest union federation, the AFL-CIO, is facing a labor complaint from its own staff over a return-to-work policy compelling office attendance. Amazon’s covid worker safety battle, hospitals requiring staff vaccinations and more are also in the news.
US Covid Deaths Fall Below 300 A Day For First Time In More Than A Year
And the nation hit another encouraging milestone Monday as 150 million Americans were fully vaccinated. First lady Jill Biden is headed to Nashville today to encourage more people to get the jab.
US Vaccine Donations To Fall Short Of 55M June Target; No AstraZeneca Shots
The Biden administration provided more details into its plan for sharing covid vaccine doses with other countries. Logistical challenges in recipient nations and problems at an AstraZeneca production plant mean the next June tranche will be smaller than planned.
Viewpoints: Immigration Centers Struggle With Covid; Missouri Not Faring Well In Covid Fight
Opinion writers examine these Covid and vaccine issues.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Undocumented Immigrants Risk Black Market To ‘Treat’ Covid
The New York Times looks at the “wellness” therapies or black market treatments that undocumented immigrants are turning to when they can’t access traditional health care. Meanwhile, KHN reports on covid care from both sides of the California border.
Editorial writers delve into these various public health topics.
Opinion writers tackle these vaccine issues.
Virginia Mental Health Services ‘Dangerously’ Short-Staffed, Crowded
The state’s nine inpatient psychiatric hospitals, with 2,124 beds, are operating at an average 98% capacity. Florida’s new Purple Alert bill, California’s eviction protections, Montana’s tourists and suspected teen suicide attempts spiked in Connecticut during the pandemic.
Japan Allows Olympic Spectators, With Limits, But Bars Public Viewing
Spectators at official Olympic venues are limited to 10,000 or 50% of capacity — whichever is smaller. But as the covid situation evolves, all spectators could be banned. Meanwhile Qatar says only vaccinated spectators will be able to attend the 2022 soccer World Cup.
TB Outbreak In Spinal Surgery Patients Prompts CDC Investigation
A cluster of tuberculosis infections may be related to use of a single bone repair product. In other news, poor sleep is linked to dementia; respiratory infections stem from red tides in Florida; and Guinea signals an end to a recent Ebola outbreak that killed 12 people.
Racial, Economic Biases Widespread In Health Care Algorithms
Algorithms help medical staff manage a huge array of processes, but Stat reports that these mathematical models are “rife” with bias that unfairly affects how they function. Community health centers, health worker buddy systems, elder care, public health spending increases and violence against staff are also in the news.
Red Cross Begs For Donations As ‘Severe’ Blood Shortage Hits Hospitals
The Red Cross says the nationwide shortage is likely driven by a surge in trauma cases and ER visits, alongside patients who’ve deferred care during the pandemic. ABC News reports that some doctors are having to change how they administer care due to the shortage.
Cost-Effectiveness Data Missing From Drugs That Cost Medicare $50 Billion
A report notes a third of Medicare Part D costs in 2016 were for buying drugs that lacked quality analysis of their cost-effectiveness. Stat, meanwhile, reports on the ineffectiveness of a generics-boosting California law banning coupons for brand-name drugs.
Despite Decades-Long War On Drugs, Overdose Deaths Still Rose
NPR reports on how policymakers frustrate some efforts to tackle overdose deaths and disease in drug users. The Marshall Project notes President Joe Biden has not taken the war on drugs “down a notch.” CNBC reports that the “war” has cost over a trillion dollars.
2.5 Million Vaccine Doses Head To Taiwan, Tripling Previous US Pledge
The doses of Moderna’s covid-19 vaccine departed from Memphis on Saturday.
VA Aims To Cover Gender-Affirmation Surgery For Transgender Veterans
Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough will back regulatory changes to allow Veterans Affairs health care to cover the procedure.
Federal Judge OKs Cruises From Florida From July 18, Overruling CDC
The ruling said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s covid rules limiting cruise ship sailings were likely unconstitutional. Meanwhile, a test cruise from Royal Caribbean set sail from Miami. Separately, travel restrictions to Canada are extended to July 21.
Lotteries May Not Be The Answer As Officials Search For Ways To Hike Vaccinations
Money, scholarships, prizes, threats to jobs: What will it take to convince the remaining unvaccinated to get a shot?
Push For 9/11-Style Covid Investigation Commission
As the covid lab-leak hypothesis is reported in several news outlets, the AP reports on efforts to begin a full investigation into covid’s origins. Separately, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said no “threats or ultimatums” will be made to China to investigate the source of the virus outbreak.
