Latest KFF Health News Stories
The Vaccinated Can Travel, CDC Advises
As if people needed any encouragement from the CDC: More people passed through airports Friday than at any time during the pandemic.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Mental Health Responders Needed In Crisis Calls; ‘Goldwater Rule’ Should Be Reexamined
Editorial pages weigh in on mental health, CRISPR, organ transplants and more.
Protective Gear Prices Remain High
Prices for protective gear remain high as hospitals build inventories to a 45-day supply. In other heath care industry news, Seema Verma joins the board of a health tech company and anesthesiologists in two states accuse UnitedHealthcare of stifling competition.
Different Takes: Europe Forced To Lockdown Again; Dr. Birx Speaks Out Too Late
Opinion writers tackle Covid and vaccine issues.
Some Great Weekend Reading (And Watching)
We selected a few lean-back articles for you to enjoy.
Vaccine Woes Continue Across The Globe
It’s just not going well in Europe and even Canada has its troubles, this time with travelers into the country. Then there is India, hitting its second wave.
Medicare Beneficiaries With Wanderlust Are Encouraged To Make Sure Their Coverage Travels, Too
It appears likely that vaccinated seniors will be ready to hit the road but CNBC offers the caution that before travelling, they should check the specifics of their insurance regarding emergency and routine care. Meanwhile, in a separate story, Becker’s reports a rise in people waiting until they are eligible for Medicare seeking medical care.
Why The US Didn’t Seek Patents On Gilead Drug Remdesivir
The federal government declined to seek patents on remdesivir, which brought in $2.8 million in revenue to Gilead in a single year. Hydroxychloroquine is still being used to fight covid despite the lack of evidence it does anything. And more studies on long-haul covid.
States Rolling Out Covid Vaccines Faster, But Some Places Struggle
L.A. County health officials say they could vaccinate 80% of residents by the end of June, meanwhile a report highlights Chicago struggles with rollout equality between different ZIP codes.
Trump-Era Plan To Cut Food Stamps Stymied
The Biden Administration scrapped a Trump Administration plan to tighten work requirements for food stamp recipients that would have affected 700,000 adults. Also, the results of a study on hunger in America.
Deaths From Drug Overdoses Jumped During Pandemic
The White House says that a dramatic increase in the number of drug overdose deaths happened during the pandemic. Other reports highlight the mental health impacts of suffering covid, and from working from home.
HHS Accused Of Risking Safety In Moves To Relocate Migrant Children
Overcrowding in HHS facilities prompted the department to ask for an extra military base for housing migrant minors. Meanwhile reports highlight the difficult situation experienced by children in custody.
Rapid At-Home Tests Arrive To Boost Covid-Beating Efforts
Backed by federal and private investment, a series of speedy covid tests that can be administered at home is arriving as part of the effort to suppress coronavirus–particularly as variants are spreading, and in some places test numbers are shrinking.
The Race Against Covid Variants And Yet Another Surge
The pace of vaccinations pick up as coronavirus variants stir fears that the United States is facing a fourth surge of covid cases.
Next Phase Of Recovery Plan To Feature Health Care, But Biden Quiet On Public Insurance
The Biden administration’s next infrastructure plan covers expanding education and health care, but CNBC notes that the President has not yet mentioned public insurance options.
Biden’s Covid Vaccine-Promoting Ad Campaign Revealed
The adverts, in English and Spanish, are designed to combat public hesitancy for covid vaccines and will air on network and cable TV and be promoted online throughout April.
Pfizer’s Covid Vaccine 91% Effective For At Least 6 Months
Meanwhile, Dr. Anthony Fauci has said the U.S. may not need AstraZeneca’s covid vaccine, even as more blot-clot news emerges concerning this version.
After 15 Million Doses Lost, Reactions To J&J Mistake Mount
Johnson & Johnson’s contractor, which had a history of violations, admits to the problem that caused the massive loss of vaccines. While the FDA mounts a probe, it also rethinks its inspection methods.
Moderna To Add 50% More Covid Vaccine Doses Per Vial
The FDA has officially cleared vaccine maker Moderna to increase the number of doses of covid vaccine per vial from 10 to 15. It’s hoped the move will dramatically increase the pace of vaccinations.
