Latest KFF Health News Stories
Ohio Abortion Law Upheld By Appellate Court
A federal appeals court ruling backing an Ohio law that prohibits abortions because of fetal Down syndrome also challenges Supreme Court decisions. In other non-covid news from around the country, more syphilis in California, more overdoses in Maryland and more groundwater contamination elsewhere.
J&J, AstraZeneca Face Headwinds In Europe
Johnson & Johnson will delay its European vaccine rollout, Denmark says it found a link between AstraZeneca’s vaccine and rare blood clots and the EU Commission intends to end contracts for both companies’ vaccines.
Court Rules ‘Pay-To-Delay’ Deal Anti-Competitive
A federal appeals court agrees with the Federal Trade Commission that a 2010 deal between Endo International and Impax Laboratories to delay a generic version of Endo’s painkiller for three years in exchange for $112 million was anti-competitive. And drug makers try to prepare for the next viral pandemic.
Study: Activity Reduces Risk Of Severe Covid
Other research results are reported on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) treatment for covid, the covid-related inflammatory syndrome that affects some children and Zoom burnout.
Medicaid Expansion To Undocumented Immigrants Pondered
Connecticut legislators consider extending Medicaid coverage to undocumented immigrants in that state while in Virginia, legal immigrants get coverage. Also, Arkansas’ Medicaid expansion is in jeopardy while a ballot initiative is launched in Mississippi.
White House Marks Black Maternal Health Week For First Time
Black women are 2.5 times more likely to die during pregnancy than white women, in what Vice President Kamala Harris called a “maternal health crisis” during a roundtable event. Separately, reports note the pandemic effect on fostering babies and innovations in pregnancy tests.
Worries About Broader Vaccine Rollouts And Racial Inequality
Vaccine hesitancy among Black and Hispanic Americans is highlighted in reports from Roll Call and Bloomberg. Home health workers, Stateline notes, are lagging behind other health care workers’ vaccination rates.
Jon Stewart Speaks Out On Burn Pit Legislation
The outspoken comedian and director says the Department of Veteran Affairs is obstructing care for those affected by burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan. Another star, Mark Ruffalo, joins efforts for legislation on toxic chemicals. And the House moves to avert Medicare sequestration cuts.
Vaccine Record Keeping Is A Confusing Patchwork
Since the federal government doesn’t maintain a national database of vaccinations, people face confusing methods of record keeping. The upshot: It’s on you. Meanwhile, tech companies work on digital health passes–not passports, mind you–for vaccine verification.
Moderna Vaccine Gives 90% Protection Against Covid For 6 Months
Clinical trial data also says that Moderna’s vaccine is 95% effective at stopping severe disease for half a year after full vaccination. The company highlights its vaccine has no links to blood clots. Meanwhile, Pfizer is upping production of its version.
Johnson & Johnson Pause May Endure For Weeks; CDC Advisers To Meet
The Biden administration is pressured to space out two-dose covid vaccines and address local surges, even as rollout efforts have to be adjusted for the J&J vaccine pause–an issue which will last “days to weeks” but not “weeks to months” according to Dr. Anthony Fauci.
What You Need To Know About Blood Clots, Reasons Behind Halt
For people who recently got the Johnson & Johnson shot, news outlets report on the extremely rare symptoms to look out for, as well as the science behind blood clots. Longer-term, the suspension could have a huge impact on vaccination fears.
Vaccine Rollout Disrupted With States Left Scrambling From J&J Curveball
State after state has announced it’s following FDA guidelines to pause Johnson & Johnson covid vaccinations, leading to cancelled appointments and a rush to reorganize efforts around alternative vaccines.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages tackle these public health topics.
Different Takes: Vaccine Access, Not Hesitancy, Is Real Issue; Will Vaccines Defeat The Variants?
Opinion writers address these Covid and vaccine issues.
India ‘Overwhelmed’ By Covid; UK Starts Unlocking
India’s covid surge may threaten global supplies of vaccines, and the nation also banned exports of the treatment drug remdesivir. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom is entering a broad unlocking phase after meeting its target for vaccinating the over-50s.
Covered California Exchange Reopens; Hawaii Gov. Signs Law To Allow Some Nurses To Perform Abortions
The new measure in Hawaii is a response to doctor shortages on some of the state’s smaller islands. Other news is from New Mexico, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Maryland.
Big Tech Moves Deeper Into Health Care
Microsoft buys a speech recognition and artificial intelligence company that could help it make medical record keeping easier. Amazon does more hiring of medical experts.
States Grapple With Employer Covid Vaccine Mandates
News from across the country on how people are dealing with covid vaccines and covid restrictions including reports from New Hampshire, Florida, Louisiana, Utah, California and Texas.
