Latest KFF Health News Stories
Perspectives: Groundbreaking Approach Can Lower Drug Costs Substantially
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Saliva Test That Diagnoses Concussions Could Have Huge Effect on Sports
Other pharmaceutical news is on wearable drug-delivery systems, Boston Scientific, Fresenius Kabi Oncology and AbbVie.
Breakthrough In Diagnosing CTE In Living Patients
In other news, Texas will expand nursing home visits for covid-vaccinated residents; nearly half of U.S. public schools reportedly are open full time; and the World Happiness Report for 2021 seems surprisingly positive.
Pandemic Has Changed Public Opinion About Pharmaceutical Companies
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Hospitals Want The Rest Of Their Covid-Relief Funds
It’s been more than three months since the government’s last announcement of a large disbursement, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Call For ‘Long Haul’ Covid Patients To Get Dedicated Clinics
New research into “long covid” is throwing a spotlight on persistent symptoms of the disease, particularly neurological ones, amid worries that there is a serious prolonged problem to be tackled.
Overseas US Military Finding It Hard To Get Covid Vaccines
As states from Texas to Georgia are rapidly expanding their covid vaccine eligibility to all residents over 16, military forces stationed overseas are reportedly frustrated at the Department of Defense’s vaccine roll out.
Pfizer Begins Trials For Next-Gen Covid Treatment, Pills Given At First Sign
A new study says covid infections among people who’ve been vaccinated are possible but rare. Meanwhile the IBD drug infliximab is linked to lower covid antibody counts, and CNN explores the link between beards, masks and covid risks.
Vaccine Production Nearly Triples In March
Pfizer, its partner BioNTech and Moderna have scaled up production lines and are making certain raw materials themselves.
Johnson & Johnson Pressured To Improve Covid Vaccine Supply
Covid vaccine maker Johnson & Johnson is given emergency authority for a pharma plant in Indiana to boost production of its single-dose covid vaccine, even as its supplies falter and the company is under pressure to deliver more shots.
AstraZeneca Will Release More Vaccine Data As Health Officials Detail Worries
After members of a U.S. safety board questioned AstraZeneca’s new covid vaccine trial data, Dr. Anthony Fauci said the drug maker needs to “straighten” out its issues. Worries deepen that trust in the vaccine has taken a hit.
Biden Hits The Road To Talk Up Health Care Efforts
President Joe Biden’s speech at the James Cancer Hospital on the Ohio State University campus highlighted the ways that the relief bill cuts insurance costs for some. It’s part of a mini-blitz from the Biden administration — HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra visited Nevada.
Path Cleared For Medicare’s Provider Pay Boost To Be Extended
Senators reached an agreement, Stat reports, that will renew a 2% bump in what Medicare pays hospitals and other health care providers through 2021. The future of possible funding cuts to Medicare is also in the news.
Vivek Murthy Confirmed By Senate As Next Surgeon General
By a 57-43 vote, the Senate approved Dr. Vivek Murthy’s return to a role he held during the Obama administration.
Special ACA Enrollment Extended Until Aug. 15
The Biden administration announced that Americans can sign up on an Affordable Care Act exchange for an additional three months. Meanwhile, news outlets examine the ways the recent stimulus legislation will impact consumers buying health plans.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Perspectives: Palliative Care Isn’t Profitable; Is Estrogen Deficiency A Real Issue?
Opinion writers focus on these topics and more.
Viewpoints: Can Employers Mandate Vaccinations?; In-Home Shots for High-Risk Patients Needed
Editorial pages tackle news about the covid vaccine and more.
Global Covid Deaths Slightly Up After A Six-Week Fall, WHO Reports
Elsewhere around the world, Sinovac’s vaccine is declared safe for children as young as 3, and concerns deepen that the pandemic will linger if some nations take years to vaccinate.
New York Reopens High Schools, But Most Students Will Learn From Home
The vast majority of students in New York City high schools will remain learning from home, even as the city reopens campuses for the first time since November. Meanwhile, the new CDC 3-foot safety guideline will not affect Orange County, Florida, schools, who are choosing to keep spacing at 6 feet.
