Latest KFF Health News Stories
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US Safety Board Asks If AstraZeneca Used ‘Outdated Information’ On Vaccine Results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overnight issued an unusual statement raising concerns from an independent safety committee that AstraZeneca included outdated or incomplete data in recently announced covid vaccine trial results.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.
Blame, Bullying: 25% Have Witnessed Asian Americans Targeted Over Covid
A new USA Today/Ipsos survey confirms the prevalence of attitudes that are fueling an increase in physical assaults and verbal abuse against Asian people in the U.S. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden urges Congress to pass the Covid-19 Hate Crimes Act.
Hospitals Using Trick To Hide Prices From Google Searches: Report
The Wall Street Journal found that hundreds of hospitals have embedded code in their websites that prevents search engines from displaying pages with the price lists. The newspaper examined more than 3,100 sites. The previously confidential information must be disclosed under a new federal rule.
Millions Of Johnson & Johnson Covid Shots Unused, Still In Storage
Questions swirl around the millions of J&J covid shots left in storage as the national vaccine rollout expands, stuttering in some places and succeeding in others–with some slower, steadier state plans showing the most promise.
1 in 6 US Adults Have Had All Their Covid Vaccine Doses
Amid debates whether pregnant women should get covid vaccines and concerns that health care workers aren’t being prioritized for doses, the CDC confirms 16.7% of U.S. adults are now fully vaccinated against the virus.
All Veterans To Be Eligible For Covid Vaccines Via Upcoming Law
President Joe Biden is expected to sign a new measure to ensure all veterans, their spouses and caregivers will be eligible to get covid vaccines as soon as availability allows. Elsewhere, California, Maryland and Tennessee are about to dramatically expand vaccine eligibility.
No Easter Egg Roll At White House, No Tolerance For Staffers’ Drug Use Either
The covid pandemic has forced another White House crackdown — this time canceling the traditional Easter Egg Roll, hosted by the first lady. In other news, five White House staffers have been fired for past drug use, and Vice President Kamala Harris will visit Florida today to promote the covid stimulus plan.
House Votes To Waive 2% Cuts To Medicare; Senate Future Uncertain
Under sequestration, the recent stimulus bill would trigger budget reductions to Medicare as well as other social safety net programs.
As Cases Rise In 21 States, Experts Debate If It’s Start Of Another Surge
While highly contagious variants spread, more Americans travel and states loosen restrictions, there is hope that past infections and vaccinations can tamp down a fourth surge in the U.S.
Miami Beach Police Use Crowd Control Measures To Disperse Spring Breakers
Emergency curfews are also in place as the South Florida city tries to control unruly crowds refusing to follow covid precautions. Over the weekend, SWAT teams were employed, who used pepper balls and arrested over 1,000 people.
CDC Drops Social Distance In Schools From 6 Feet To 3 Feet, With Limits
When attending school in person, the CDC now says students need only keep 3 feet apart for safe covid distance. But the new rules apply only under certain circumstances, including being in an area with low community transmission.
AstraZeneca Trials Show Vaccine Is 79% Effective Against Symptomatic Covid
And it provides 100% protection against severe illness and hospitalization, according to new U.S.-based testing of the vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford. The results are an important step toward U.S. authorization of a fourth jab.
