Latest KFF Health News Stories
Tackling Utah Doctor Shortage A Goal For $110 Million Med School Donation
The money will be used to train more medical students and reach out to people in rural and remote areas of Utah. The New York Times, meanwhile, tackles health care worker’s garment and PPE fashion. Also, worries of shame culture swirl after a Mormon sex therapist’s ouster.
No Laughing Matter: Nitrous Oxide May Help Patients With Depression
A recent small-scale trial suggests low doses of laughing gas can help alleviate depression symptoms. In other public health news, U.S. deaths from heart disease and diabetes climbed during the pandemic and reports say 26 million non-covid vaccinations were skipped during 2020.
Arsenic Contamination Causes Recall Of Beech-Nut Infant Rice Cereal
Beech-Nut Nutrition says it will also cease sales of the product nationwide. Also in the news: the Phexxi birth control method, dentists detecting pregnancy and a study that says the placenta may help predict pregnancy risks even in the first trimester.
Health Care In 2022 Will Cost You 6.5% More Than This Year
The annual cost growth is above figures for the period 2017 to 2020, and will hit as people seek care they delayed during the pandemic. Meanwhile, UnitedHealthcare’s plans to scrutinize and retroactively deny some emergency care claims cause controversy.
Another FDA Adviser Resigns In Wake Of Alzheimer’s Drug Approval Decision
The Washington Post and Axios report on the ongoing fallout from the “contentious” decision to approve Aduhelm while CNN covers the costs and side-effects of the new drug. The Cincinnati Enquirer notes it will be available at UC Health and two other Ohio sites.
Hyde Amendment, Opioids Divide Senators In Health Budget Hearing
Those were two of the issues on which Democrats and Republicans on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies from the two parties did not agree while considering the HHS spending plan for fiscal 2022.
CMS Ups Medicare Payments For At-Home Vaccinations
To increase vaccine incentives and availability, Medicare will now pay providers $75 per at-home vaccination — almost double the previous $40 payment. Other Medicare news is on dental services and the big price tag of the newly approved Alzheimer’s drug.
Appeals Court Blocks Missouri’s Abortion Ban
The law would have banned abortions after eight weeks of pregnancy and also specified that abortions could not be performed solely on the fear that a fetus might have Down syndrome.
Covid Variants An Increasing Risk For Unvaccinated, Says Surgeon General
Despite lower reported covid cases, the U.S. Surgeon General warns it’s not time to “let your guard down.” Dr. Anthony Fauci has also urged more Americans to get vaccinated in the light of the delta covid variant. Reports say hospitalizations are on the rise in some places.
Biden Administration Buying Millions Of Merck’s Experimental Covid Pills
Molnupiravir is taken orally every 12 hours for five days; a course consists of 10 pills. The federal government will spend about $1.2 billion to buy 1.7 million courses of the drug, which has not been approved but shows promise for newly diagnosed, non-hospitalized covid patients.
Nobel-Winning Biologist Backpedals Slightly On Covid Lab-Leak Theory
Professor David Baltimore had been one of the most prominent figures driving the lab-escape theory for the source of covid. Meanwhile, Dr. Anthony Fauci calls out conspiracy theory-based attacks on him as “preposterous” and “painfully ridiculous.”
Race To Vaccinate More Urgent Than Ever, Experts Say
“The problem with boosters is, we’ll always be at least six months behind the curve,” Dr. Jonathan Javitt, CEO of NRx pharmaceutical company and adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, told Fox News.
OSHA To Apply Long-Anticipated Covid Safety Rules Only To Health Sector
The new mandatory workplace rules for health care settings are expected to be announced today, Politico reports. Unions had pushed the Biden administration to include more businesses. Separately, the White House tells government agencies that federal workers shouldn’t “generally” require vaccines to work on-site.
Seattle Is First Big City To Fully Vaccinate 70% Of Eligible Residents
Meanwhile, San Francisco has one of California’s highest rates of vaccination, with 72% of residents having received at least one dose.
US Buys 500 Million Covid Vaccine Doses To Distribute Globally
Pfizer confirmed the deal for its shot — sold at a not-for-profit price — which President Joe Biden will announce during this week’s G7 summit. It’s expected that 200 million doses will be distributed this year through COVAX and 300 million next year.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages discuss these various public health topics.
Different Takes: Steps The G7 Must Take To End The Pandemic; Tactics To Fight Vaccine Hesitancy
Opinion writers tackle these covid and vaccine issues.
UN Says It’s Time To End AIDS, Especially Since Covid Damaged Efforts
The United Nations issued a proclamation declaring the need for urgent action to end AIDS by 2030. In other news, the U.K. is sending military backup to hospitals stressed by covid surges, and E.U. lawmakers OK a type of digital vaccine passport for tourists.
Colorado Aims At Cutting Health Care Costs 15% With New Reforms
Colorado lawmakers are now requiring private insurers to offer plans that cut costs. Meanwhile, Philly’s “Naked Bike Ride” will this year require masks, and a blue-green algae bloom prompts a health alert in Orange County.
