Latest KFF Health News Stories
States Begin To Cast Vaccine Net Wider, Covering More Groups
New worker groups and people with disabilities become eligible for vaccination, and “Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, vaccine!” is Dolly Parton’s new pro-shot spin on her classic song.
Vaccine Distribution Efforts Encounter Confusion, Technical Setbacks
Vaccination sites open up in some states, even as others suffer confusion or are forced to cancel appointments because of low supplies.
Government Plans For Looser Restrictions For Vaccinated People
Early indications point to positive impacts from vaccines, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention may lift some restrictions once you’ve had the shot.
Biden Emphasizes Vaccines For Educators In Plea To States
As vaccine supplies improve and states plan how to reopen schools safely, President Joe Biden calls for early vaccinations for teachers and staff.
Enough Vaccine By End Of May: Biden Announces Fast-Tracked Timeline
The U.S. will have enough vaccine supply by then for every adult in the country, President Joe Biden pledged. The White House invoked the Defense Production Act to help Johnson & Johnson ramp up production and brokered a deal with Merck to join in those efforts.
Depressed Covid Testing Alarms Experts As Another Surge Looms
A recent steep decline in testing is partly due to fewer infections. But efforts to vaccinate have also taken away resources from diagnostic operations at a crucial time.
Mask Mandates, Business Restrictions Revoked In Texas, Mississippi
Despite warning from public health officials that states should not let down their covid guard, two are doing just that: Republican governors in both states point to vaccines and declining case numbers as they roll back requirements for face coverings and limits on business capacity.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Parsing Policy: Ways to Control Spending On Health Care; New Chances For States To Adopt Medicaid
Editorial page writers express views about the importance of curtailing health care costs, expanding coverage and other health-related issues.
High Court To Hear Case That Affects Disabled Residents Of US Territories
The case involves an ex-New Yorker who lost his Supplemental Security Income payments when he moved to Puerto Rico. The Trump administration had argued it was legal to deny benefits.
Viewpoints: Pros, Cons Of Getting Americans Vaccinated First, Rolling Back Restrictions
Opinion writers weigh in on these pandemic topics and others.
Biden Not Planning On Helping Mexico With Vaccines
Meanwhile, some public health officials say that decision could be dangerous along the border for the U.S. Other news reports are from England, Iraq, Slovakia and other countries, as well.
California Hashes Out Deal To Send Children Back To School By April
The plan, which critics slammed as inadequate, still has to be approved by the state legislature. Other school news is from North Carolina, the Florida Keys and elsewhere.
Still No Water: Parts Of Mississippi Push To Restore Services After 2 Weeks
While Texas grabbed most of the attention following a crippling winter storm, most residents in Jackson, Mississippi, are still boiling water or going without. Media outlets report on overdose deaths, homelessness and other issues, as well.
States Eye Ways To Force Drugmakers To Justify Price Hikes
Hawaii and Washington introduced such measures — though both bills failed to get traction, Stat reports.
Bundled Payments Led To Savings For Patients And Employers, Study Finds
Bundled payments are gaining popularity but typically only apply to “big-ticket” procedures, said Christopher Whaley, the study’s lead author and a policy researcher at RAND.
Study: High Staff Turnovers Likely Behind Many Deaths At Nursing Homes
The turnover rates likely made it hard for homes to put strong infection controls in place. Media outlets report on a Los Angeles nursing home charged with dumping patients for richer ones, as well.
Stimulus Bill’s Final Push In Senate To Kick Off
Democratic lawmakers aim to pass the massive legislative package before federal unemployment benefits expire on March 14.
Biden Administration Ups Funding For ACA Navigators
An additional $2.3 million will be allocated to community groups that help people to sign up for Affordable Care Act health plans. The role of subsidies on people’s finances and taxes is also in the news.
States Wrestle With Requirements For Proof Of Vaccine Eligibility
States like Maryland and California have mixed guidance in regard to verifying eligibility at vaccine sites. Other issues are reported out of Georgia, Florida and Utah.
