Latest KFF Health News Stories
Pollen Season Starts Earlier, Experts Say, Just In Time For Valentine’s Day
Also, pollen loads are about 21% higher, all because of global warming. Media outlets report on how pollution is leading to more deaths, heart surgeries have dropped during the pandemic and more.
Hogue Resigns As NARAL President, Cites Progress For Abortion Rights
“One of the lessons that we learned over the last eight years is that constant vigilance is required to secure all of our rights,” said Ilyse Hogue, who took the reins in 2013. Her successor has not yet been named.
More Counterfeit N95 Respirators Removed From Hospitals
Several weeks after the Cleveland Clinic was notified it had been using fake masks, hospitals in Washington state are now on the lookout, too.
Biden Faces Crucial Choice Over Next FDA Chief
Stat analyzes the backgrounds and endorsements of the top two contenders on the list.
First Member Of Congress Dies From Covid
Republican Rep. Ron Wright of Texas was hospitalized after testing positive for COVID-19. Wright was also being treated for lung cancer.
Two-Year Boost To ACA Subsidies Added To Stimulus Package
The measure would fully subsidize health care coverage on the Affordable Care Act exchanges for people earning up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level and those on unemployment insurance.
Democrats Agree On Income Cutoffs For Relief Checks
Americans who received a $1,400 check last time would get another if a next stimulus bill passes.
Rare Blood Disorder Could Be Linked To Covid Vaccine
FDA and CDC officials are investigating 36 cases — including one death — of immune thrombocytopenia, or a lack of platelets, a blood component essential for clotting. All of the cases occurred in people who recently received either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine, but health officials say the timing could be coincidental.
Vaccine Outreach Efforts Leave Out Latino Community
Pennsylvania has not translated vaccine distribution information for people who don’t speak English. Other vaccine rollout obstacles are also reported.
WHO Backs Use Of AstraZeneca Vaccine To Protect Against Severe Covid
Despite concerns over efficacy against the coronavirus variant found in South Africa, the World Health Organization said the shot created by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford is effective at preventing severe cases of covid that can lead to hospitalization and death.
CDC Urges States To Maintain Restrictions Despite Drop In Cases
New confirmed coronavirus cases stayed below 100,000 for a second day. Despite the positive trend, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky warned that new variants could drive numbers back up — especially because the risks of reinfection are still not known.
Biden Administration Not Ruling Out Covid Testing For Domestic Flights
Despite concerns over costs and efficacy, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said that the idea of requiring negative covid tests for domestic air travel is being discussed.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial page writers express views about the importance of delivering vaccines to communities of color and other public health issues.
England On Pace To Vaccinate Everyone Over 50 By May, Also Give Annual Shots
The United Kingdom is also planning a program of booster vaccines later in the fall to fight new variants. Less successful efforts are being reported in the European Union and Mexico.
Viewpoints: Boost Medicaid Funding During Pandemic; Spend Whatever It Takes To Win This War
Opinion writers weigh in on these policy issues and several public health issues as well.
Some California Churches Open Doors After Supreme Court Ruling
Justice Amy Coney Barrett has tipped the the court in favor of religious liberty vs. state public health decisions. News reports look at covid in zoos and mental health issues, as well.
Maskless Fans Flood Tampa Streets After Super Bowl Win
“People are ready to party,” said 25-year-old Tampa Bay fan Kyle Bradshaw. Public health news is on the opioid epidemic, hidden fees for services and more.
UnitedHealthcare Gets Pushback On New Policies For Lab, Drug Payments
The American Hospital Association wrote a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services last week, urging it to take action on both policies.
Mark Cuban Unveils Plan To Build Dallas Factory For New Drug Company
Construction is set to begin Wednesday on the 22,000-square-foot facility for Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs that will produce generic versions of prescription drugs. Other pharmaceutical news is on Keytruda, aducanumab and 23andMe. Also, cancer researcher Emil Freireich, 93, who helped devise treatments for childhood leukemia, has died.
