Latest KFF Health News Stories
Pandemic To Play Starring Role In Biden’s First Address To Congress
Both in the content of President Joe Biden’s speech and in the makeup of the audience, the coronavirus pandemic will hugely influence the Wednesday night event. Drug pricing, “human infrastructure” and other health policies are also expected to be featured.
Biden Admin Aims To Feed 34M Kids This Summer In Large Food Program
Through funds from the recent relief bill, the USDA plan provides about $375 each to buy food for about 10 weeks over the summer break — a time when many kids who depend on school meals can go hungry.
Delayed Updates To Workplace Safety Standards Move To OMB
In a step toward becoming public and going into effect, the Labor Department sent the draft emergency workplace safety rules to the Office of Management and Budget. The covid guidelines were targeted for release on March 15.
Covid Spikes In Young People In Schools And Hospitals
Reports of covid outbreaks in youths, including the death of a first grader, come from Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Michigan. Outbreaks linked to nursing homes and churches are also in the news.
Vaccinated? CDC Expected To Say You Don’t Need Mask Outdoors
President Joe Biden is scheduled to announce today updated mask guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Some Parts Of US Nearing Herd Immunity, NIH Director Says
Dr. Francis Collins said experts don’t know the exact rate of the population that needs protection — either through vaccination or previous covid infection — but said the benchmark is likely “up there around 70, 85%.”
US Will Contribute To Global Supply Of AstraZeneca Vaccine
The Biden administration will share 60 million doses of the AstraZeneca’s covid vaccine — which is currently not approved in the U.S. — to other yet-identified nations.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages weigh in on these public health issues.
Different Takes: Warning Needed On J&J Vaccine; Are Vaccine Passports The Answer To Hesitancy?
Opinion writers tackle these vaccine issues.
Vaccinated US Tourists May Be Allowed To Travel To EU This Summer
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom — which is not a member of the European Union — has vaccinated half of its population. In other global news, a man in Spain with covid symptoms is charged with deliberately infecting 22 people; more than 80 people die in a fire at a hospital in Baghdad; and more.
STD Infections Spike In Philadelphia, Especially Among Over 50s
As Philadelphia battles a surge of STD infections, some child care centers in North Carolina have overly-high lead levels in their water supply and Florida lawmakers ban abortions performed if a fetus tests positive for disabilities.
Lawmakers Want Biden’s Spending Bill To Address Medicare Expansion, More
Doctors and health care providers are also pushing Congress to address the physician shortage.
Ineffective Cancer Drugs, Menthol Cigarettes In FDA’s Sights
This Tuesday, the FDA will convene a meeting to reconsider approvals given to some decades-old cancer drugs that have not proved effective over time. A potential ban of menthol cigarettes is also on the table this week.
Pandemic Prompts Hospitals To Review Energy Costs As A Way To Save Money
Other health care industry news is on non-compete agreements at Louisiana’s major hospital systems, insurance waivers, advances in artificial intelligence and more.
Outdoor Mask Wearing May End Soon: Biden To Unveil New CDC Guidance
Ahead of his congressional address, President Joe Biden will announce revised guidance on mask wearing for vaccinated people, CNN reports. Meanwhile, an MIT study says the 6 feet social distance rule is inadequate compared to reducing overall time indoors, and another study shows double-masking is unsupported by science.
Coronavirus Crisis Dominates Biden’s First 100 High-Stakes Days
From the pandemic response and vaccination program to the expansion of access to Obamacare, President Joe Biden has made a flurry of moves that impact U.S. health care policy. News organizations audit his first 100 days in office.
As Vaccination Efforts Slow, Over 5 Million Americans Skip Second Shot
The New York Times reports on how millions of people seem to be skipping their second Pfizer or Moderna covid shot, which is needed for full effectiveness of the vaccine. Bloomberg reports on how the end of the mass vaccination effort may be approaching fast.
Fauci Warns Covid Rate Still Too High
Dr. Anthony Fauci spoke on TV to warn that 50,000 new covid infections a day is too many. Meanwhile, studies show the B.1.1.7 covid variant, first found in the UK, is now the dominant strain in Oregon, and the Los Angeles Times reports on the record 5.7 million new cases reported globally over the weekend.
CDC: Masks At All Times, Windows Open Are The New Summer Camp Rules
Summer camps should try to make most activities outdoors, according to fresh CDC covid guidelines. And while students can be closer than 3 feet, they must wear masks at all times.
