Latest KFF Health News Stories
New Jersey Gave Covid Hazard Pay To Ineligible Nursing Home Managers
Eight out of nine senior managers of veterans nursing homes earned too much to get the hazard pay, but received it anyway. Separately, Texas Children’s Hospital is giving a 2% pay raise and an extra week’s vacation to its entire staff for their pandemic work.
Under New Policy, UnitedHealthcare Can Retroactively Deny ED Claims
The American College of Emergency Physicians, which is suing Anthem over a similar policy, said they believe the policy is illegal but declined to comment on whether they would take legal action.
FDA OKs Easier Regeneron Covid Antibody Treatment Regime
The Food and Drug Administration says Regeneron’s drug is now allowed to be given in lower doses by injection instead of infusion. Separately, a study shows the drug bamlanivimab lowers the risk of symptomatic covid in nursing homes.
Study Shows Mask-Wearing Halves Risk Of Getting Covid
A poll by Axios showed that people who wore masks “all the time” were less than half as likely to test positive for covid than people who never used masks. Separately a CDC official says the U.S. health care system is not ready for the next pandemic.
Trump Slams Fauci As ‘Not A Great Doctor, But A Hell Of A Promoter’
At North Carolina’s GOP convention on Saturday, the former president criticized the infectious-disease expert as a “radical masker” and also bragged about his administration’s role in developing the covid vaccine.
Nevada Poised To Become Second State To Try Public Option-Type Program
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak, a Democrat, says he will sign the bill recently passed by the state legislature that would set up a type of public health insurance option — plans sold by private insurers on the state’s Obamacare marketplace. Meanwhile, NBC News reports on the state of the public option debate amidst Democrats.
Georgia Faces Likely Pushback From Feds On Medicaid, Obamacare Waivers
Georgia officials are continuing to implement a plan to add work requirements to its Medicaid program by July 1, based on a waiver received from the Trump administration. But Biden administration officials have criticized the plan. CMS also warned the state that a previous waiver to privatize its Obamacare exchange might also be revoked.
No Covid Vaccines Needed To Cruise On Royal Caribbean Ships
Starting July 2, Royal Caribbean ships will not be requiring passengers to have covid vaccines for sailings from the U.S. Meanwhile, Hawaii is set to abolish inter-island travel restrictions, but United Airlines will require new employees to prove they are vaccinated.
Biden And Obama Zoom To Encourage ACA Enrollment; 31M Now Covered
President Joe Biden virtually reunited with his old boss to talk about their signature health law and to urge Americans to sign up during the special enrollment period. Meanwhile, HHS announced a record mark of 31 million people covered under Obamacare.
July 4th Vaccine Goal At Risk As Vaccination Rates Plummet
President Joe Biden has challenged 70% of adults to get vaccinated with at least one dose by July 4th, but falling covid vaccination rates may threaten that goal. Meanwhile, The Washington Post reports on the struggle Americans overseas experience in getting vaccinated.
As More Teens Hospitalized, CDC Urges Parents To Get Their Kids A Covid Shot
Cases of severe covid are climbing among those aged 12 to 17. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky says she is “deeply concerned by the numbers of hospitalized adolescents.” Only 24% of that eligible age group in the U.S. has received a vaccine dose so far.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Action Necessary To Fix Broken Health Care System; Reframing Dementia Care
Editorial writers tackle these public health concerns.
Perspectives: Do Vaccine Incentives Work?; Pandemic Challenges Faced By Rookie Doctors
Opinion writers weigh in on vaccine lotteries, new doctors in a pandemic and the American Rescue Plan.
2 Billion Covid Shots Administered Around The Globe
It took only 40 days to progress from a total of 1 billion shots, with just 16 days for the most recent half-billion doses to be given. In other news, China’s vaccine pace picks up, the WHO says vaccinating kids “not a high priority” and Tom Cruise’s film set is locked down.
Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Over NY Gov. Cuomo’s Pandemic Authority
Meanwhile, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer vetoed a law that would have exempted high school graduations from covid restrictions; Philadelphia drug deaths soared in 2020; and Amtrak’s dining car will come back on some trains.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on covid, “forever chemicals,” infant care, the Woebot app and sickle cell.
New Infections Of HIV Have Fallen 73% Since Mid-1980s, CDC Says
The report, released Thursday, noted a peak number of annual infections of 130,400 in 1984 and 1985. That number fell to 34,800 in 2019. Meanwhile, Dr. Anthony Fauci, who has spent much of his career tackling the global AIDS epidemic, says it might be possible to bring it to an end by 2030.
Realtors Urge Supreme Court To Block Eviction Moratorium
They argue that the moratorium has resulted in “over $13 billion in unpaid rent per month,” CNN reported. On Wednesday, a federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., denied a request by a group of landlords to resume evictions.
California Rebuffs ‘Hero Pay’ For Health Care Workers
Hospitals fiercely opposed the $10,000 payments because of the estimated $7 billion price tag, the Los Angeles Times reported. Meanwhile, many hospital workers are still refusing to get the covid jab.
