Latest KFF Health News Stories
Arkansas Governor: New Abortion Law Was Designed To Be Unconstitutional
Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Sunday that the near-total abortion ban was meant to be bait for the U.S. Supreme Court. In other news from Arkansas, the legislature voted Monday to require a woman undergoing an abortion to first view an ultrasound.
10 Days In Lockdown Equals A Half-Pound Weight Gain, Says New Study
UCSF researchers have connected lockdowns with steady increases in weight among American citizens. In other research news, vitamin D is again linked to reduced covid risk–especially in Black patients. And distorted smell is being recognized as a symptom of long covid, even as scientists struggle to understand long haulers.
Health Care CEOs Hit Pay Dirt In 2020
Axios reports that Sam Hazen of HCA Healthcare made $84 million, four times as much as 2019; David Cordani of Cigna made $79 million, six times as much as 2019; and Dave Ricks of Eli Lilly made $68 million, twice as much as 2019.
Vaccine Rollout Failing People With Visual Impairment, The Homebound
Even as covid vaccine eligibility expands, reports suggest the entire process is a struggle for visually impaired and homebound Americans. Meanwhile structural language issues built into the process are said to impact many non-English speakers seeking shots.
Covid Vaccines For All Over-16s Coming To More States, Soon
States from West Virginia to Arizona have announced plans to dramatically expand vaccine eligibility. In other state news: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis dismisses the idea of vaccine passports, an Arizona man was arrested after holding a covid vaccine supply hostage at gunpoint and more.
White House Worries J&J Supply, Hesitancy May Hamper Vaccine Goals
Maintaining a steady supply of vaccine to the states and overcoming resistance from different groups of Americans are key to reaching the Biden administration’s mass vaccination targets.
Regeneron’s Antibody Cocktail Shows Promise In Covid Patient Trials
A mixed shot of casirivimab and imdevimab, covid antibody products developed by Regeneron and Roche, is shown to reduce hospitalizations and deaths by 70% in a new study.
Drugmakers Wary Of Plan To Limit Drug Prices In Infrastructure Bill
Meanwhile, lawmakers move to close a bankruptcy loophole that the Sackler family could have used to escape paying opioid settlements.
Covid Cases Rising In 27 States
Even as the pace of vaccinations picks up, so does the U.S. seven-day average of daily new coronavirus cases. Increases of at least 5% are now reported in over half the states.
Trump Slams Fauci, Says He Was ‘Wrong So Much’
Meanwhile, Dr. Anthony Fauci —the infectious-disease expert who has advised seven presidents and became a household name during the pandemic — will be featured in a new children’s book.
SNAP To Get $3.5B Increase As More Americans Go Hungry
The Department of Agriculture announced a 15% bump in funding through September to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. “We cannot sit by and watch food insecurity grow in the United States,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement.
Over 200,000 Sign Up For ACA Plans As Biden’s Moves Bolster Health Law
As the Affordable Care Act approaches its 11th anniversary — a mark many thought it would never reach — news outlets look back at Republicans’ efforts to repeal it and the steps President Joe Biden is taking to shore up the law.
US Safety Board Asks If AstraZeneca Used ‘Outdated Information’ On Vaccine Results
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases overnight issued an unusual statement raising concerns from an independent safety committee that AstraZeneca included outdated or incomplete data in recently announced covid vaccine trial results. The company told AP it is “looking into it.”
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers weigh in on mental health, vaccine inequity and more.
Some Need 3 Doses Of Sinopharm Covid Vaccine, UAE Tests Show
In other news around the world, the UK has passed a covid vaccine milestone with half of all adults receiving their first shot; European countries are suffering another big wave of infections; and worries spread the pandemic has affected Mexico’s battle against Chagas.
Viewpoints: Covid Is Raising Superbug Threat; How Will AstraZeneca Rebuild Vaccine Trust?
Opinion writers tackle these covid-19 issues.
Georgia Takes On ‘Granny Cams’; Fla. May Soon Get Covid-Liability Rules
In other news from Florida: Doctors push back against allegations that the medical marijuana program is being used by people getting high for fun. Other news is from Idaho and California.
Tinnitus, Hearing Damage Linked To Coronavirus Infections In Study
Meanwhile, the CEO of the Texas Roadhouse restaurant chain has died by suicide after suffering post-covid symptoms, including severe tinnitus. Other reports note children can be long-haul covid patients, too, and research shows 17% of U.K. covid patients had a skin rash as the first symptom.
Study Shows Child Visits To The ER For Swallowing Magnets Are Up 400%
New data show the percentage has skyrocketed since a sales ban was overturned in 2016. In other news, experts urge caution over melatonin doses for kids and new data suggest more body fat may prevent women dying from heart conditions.
