Latest KFF Health News Stories
Biden’s Medicaid Push Gets Support Boost From Stimulus
As reports suggest stimulus cash is helping boost President Joe Biden’s plan to expand Medicaid, the administration says the next package will be split in two. Child care spending is emphasized in the plan, but infrastructure upgrades will come before health and family spends.
Flood Of Newly Eligibles Primed To Pump Up Vaccine Demand
All adults in six states will be able to be vaccinated starting today, with many more states also moving in that direction.
Biden Administration Plans Switch To Local Covid Vaccine Distribution
The move is a response to sluggish mass covid vaccine sites and efforts, and the White House’s hope is that working with trusted local groups will fix vaccine hesitancy. In other news a temporary vaccine IP suspension is considered, and a looming “glut” of unused vaccines raises worries.
11 Million New Johnson & Johnson Covid Vaccine Doses Due This Week
As J&J ramps up supply to meet its covid vaccine targets, Emergent BioSolutions is in the spotlight for its role in the production delays. Other development news: Pfizer begins testing its vaccine on children under 12; worries swirl about limited compensation for covid vaccine injuries; and researchers work toward more inclusive drug trials.
Slow Trump Admin Response Blamed For Most Covid Deaths After First Wave
Six former administration officials opened up to CNN. Dr. Deborah Birx stated that “most” of the covid-related deaths in later waves could have been avoided by swifter moves by the Trump White House. Dr. Anthony Fauci also commented on the challenges.
Variants Pulling Ahead? Covid Cases Rising In Closely Watched States
The path of the virus in Florida, New York and New Jersey have previously served as signals for future surges. New cases are spiking there as public health experts worry variants’ spread could outpace vaccinations.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
How Did Covid Start? WHO Report Will Say Animals Were The Source
The investigation jointly conducted by the World Health Organization and China will conclude that the origin of the virus that sparked a global pandemic was likely in China’s wildlife trade, AP reports. The document is expected to be released Tuesday. Meanwhile, some former U.S. officials voice skepticism.
Lawmakers Push For Mandatory Military Covid Shots
Also in military health news: two senators plan to roll out a bill that could help thousands of service members who are sick from toxic substances they were exposed to from burning garbage in Afghanistan, Iraq and other war zones.
20-Second Covid Test Approved In UK; Nation Extends Emergency Powers
The maker of a new rapid covid test approved in the U.K. notes it could be used in public venues and in businesses. Meanwhile, the U.N. warns that a covid surge in India may impact global vaccine supply, and Brazil hits 100,000 new cases in one day.
Editorial pages focus on these public health issues and others.
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 treatments, vaccinations and traveling in the age of the coronavirus.
New York Gave Regeneron President Special Access To Covid Tests: Report
The company requested tests from the state last year after a “member of his household became infected,” a company spokeswoman said. Elsewhere, a Tennessee law would ban LGBTQ textbooks, and Florida again examines laws limiting vaping.
HPV Infection Rate In Teens Has Fallen 88% Since Vaccine Introduced In 2006
HPV prevalence also fell in those who were unvaccinated, suggesting the effects of herd immunity. Other news is on mammograms, pregnancy, “forever chemicals” and flu shots.
Not-For-Profit Hospitals Feel Financial Squeeze
In other news, the Arizona trauma surgeon who treated former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords after she was attacked by a gunman in 2011 has announced plans to run for Congress.
‘Sustained Increase’ In Variants Halts Covid Antibody Therapy Distribution
In other pandemic research news: A study shows that the coronavirus infects mouth cells. Meanwhile, an old antidepressant drug is investigated for possible benefits in preventing serious covid infections.
FDA Panel Says Pfizer’s Injectable Osteoarthritis Drug Is Too Risky
The vote did not address whether the FDA should approve the drug, called tanezumab, and the agency isn’t required to follow the panel’s advice, Stat reports.
HHS To Open New Shelters For Unaccompanied Minors
As the number of minors crossing the U.S. border surges, the Department of Health and Human Services plans to house some at two military sites in Texas.
Many Cities, States Are ‘Going In The Wrong Direction’ As Covid Surges
“It’s really nothing short of a tragedy for somebody to get infected and die at this stage,” said Isaac Weisfuse, a medical epidemiologist in Ithaca, New York.
Rutgers Is First School To Mandate Covid Vaccine For Students In Fall
The university believes there will be enough available supply by then to set the policy and that it is in line with other vaccination requirements. Other vaccine roll-out news comes from employers, pharmacists and dialysis centers.
