Latest KFF Health News Stories
FDA OKs New Test That Identifies Signs Of Past Covid Infection
Adaptive Biotechnologies’ test is the first of its kind to receive emergency authorization from the FDA. The agency also approved another over-the-counter test from Cue Health.
Amended Covid Relief Bill Heads Back To The House
The Senate narrowly approved the massive stimulus package after 24 hours of votes that reshaped the legislation. Before it can go to President Joe Biden, Democrats must hold together their majority in the House to pass it again despite the measures now stripped out.
Panel Recommends Changes For Medicare Advantage Payments
Other industry news is on health care hiring, data privacy, Time’s Up Healthcare and Watson Health.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers tackle the pandemic, Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine, Medicare and sex education.
Editorial pages weigh in on Texas’ decision to roll back pandemic restrictions.
Global Tug Of War Intensifies As Italy Blocks Vaccine Shipments To Australia
And in Canada, the leader of Ontario has said he is disappointed in the Biden administration’s decision not to share vaccines with Canada. “I thought I’d see a little bit of a change with the administration, but again it’s every person for themselves out there,” Premier Doug Ford said.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to sit back and enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on covid, pets, cancer and the mentally ill.
Documents Appear To Show NY Hid Nursing Home Deaths On July Report
Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office said late Thursday that it didn’t include all the nursing home deaths from covid in the July report because it wasn’t sure the data was accurate.
The Pandemic Changed How Americans Got Injured, Fell Ill, Studies Say
New research shows how the pandemic and lockdowns dramatically changed how people were hurt in accidents and suffered illnesses. Meanwhile, another study suggests atheism may be good for your health.
Insurers’ Costs Creep Back Up As More People Seek Medical Care
During the early months of the pandemic, many people put off noncovid-related care. Now, as more patients head to the doctor, health plan providers are feeling the effect on their bottom line. Other health industry news reports are on mergers, air ambulances, telehealth and more.
Brand-Name Drug Preferences Cost Medicare Part D Billions
A study finds that in 2017 alone, the federal program could have saved about $1.7 billion if doctors and patients opted for generics over brand-name prescription drugs, Stat reports.
Study Links Teen Opioid Abuse To Suicide Risks
Attention is also thrown on the misuse of common dietary supplement pills. Meanwhile the legal battles about opioid sales and prescribing continue.
J&J Vaccine Rollout Hits Early Bumps
Detroit’s mayor turned down his city’s allotment of Johnson & Johnson’s covid vaccine; Maine’s plans are set back by early distribution supplies; and the single-dose regimen leads other states to rethink distribution.
Vaccinations Pick Up Pace, But Real Doses Are Found On The Dark Web
The U.S. reaches new highs in vaccinating citizens. Dark web sites have been selling some real coronavirus vaccines, according to reports, and the threat of fake vaccine sales emerges across the globe.
Stimulus Vote-O-Rama Set To Kick Off Friday Afternoon
After a no-bedtime reading of the 628-page relief bill, courtesy of Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, senators brace for the meaningful portion of the deliberations: hours of debate and votes on amendments that will shape the final package, set to begin midday Friday.
FDA Warns Covid Infrared Temperature Scanners May Be Badly Inaccurate
Meanwhile anti-parasitic drug Ivermectin is ruled-out as a covid treatment by new research, and testing numbers worryingly fall off. And WHO continues its probe into the origins of the virus.
Studies Warn We’ve Counted Only A Fraction Of Youth Covid Cases
New studies warn of big miscounts of children who caught coronavirus. Other news reports describe how farmworkers have been adversely infected and how we can learn from Brazil’s pandemic missteps.
Obesity Is Key Driver Of A Nation’s Covid Death Toll, Global Study Finds
The link between covid severity and obesity, a new study finds a “dramatic” connection: In countries where more than half the population is overweight, fatality rates are 10 times higher than in other nations.
Why Some Governors Are Pushing Ahead With ‘Inexplicable’ Reopenings
At a time when new infections are threatening to surge again, a handful of governors are choosing to loosen or eliminate covid precautions. News outlets examine the factors shaping those decisions.
