Latest KFF Health News Stories
Overseas US Military Finding It Hard To Get Covid Vaccines
As states from Texas to Georgia are rapidly expanding their covid vaccine eligibility to all residents over 16, military forces stationed overseas are reportedly frustrated at the Department of Defense’s vaccine roll out.
Pfizer Begins Trials For Next-Gen Covid Treatment, Pills Given At First Sign
A new study says covid infections among people who’ve been vaccinated are possible but rare. Meanwhile the IBD drug infliximab is linked to lower covid antibody counts, and CNN explores the link between beards, masks and covid risks.
Vaccine Production Nearly Triples In March
Pfizer, its partner BioNTech and Moderna have scaled up production lines and are making certain raw materials themselves.
Johnson & Johnson Pressured To Improve Covid Vaccine Supply
Covid vaccine maker Johnson & Johnson is given emergency authority for a pharma plant in Indiana to boost production of its single-dose covid vaccine, even as its supplies falter and the company is under pressure to deliver more shots.
AstraZeneca Will Release More Vaccine Data As Health Officials Detail Worries
After members of a U.S. safety board questioned AstraZeneca’s new covid vaccine trial data, Dr. Anthony Fauci said the drug maker needs to “straighten” out its issues. Worries deepen that trust in the vaccine has taken a hit.
Biden Hits The Road To Talk Up Health Care Efforts
President Joe Biden’s speech at the James Cancer Hospital on the Ohio State University campus highlighted the ways that the relief bill cuts insurance costs for some. It’s part of a mini-blitz from the Biden administration — HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra visited Nevada.
Path Cleared For Medicare’s Provider Pay Boost To Be Extended
Senators reached an agreement, Stat reports, that will renew a 2% bump in what Medicare pays hospitals and other health care providers through 2021. The future of possible funding cuts to Medicare is also in the news.
Vivek Murthy Confirmed By Senate As Next Surgeon General
By a 57-43 vote, the Senate approved Dr. Vivek Murthy’s return to a role he held during the Obama administration.
Special ACA Enrollment Extended Until Aug. 15
The Biden administration announced that Americans can sign up on an Affordable Care Act exchange for an additional three months. Meanwhile, news outlets examine the ways the recent stimulus legislation will impact consumers buying health plans.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Perspectives: Palliative Care Isn’t Profitable; Is Estrogen Deficiency A Real Issue?
Opinion writers focus on these topics and more.
Viewpoints: Can Employers Mandate Vaccinations?; In-Home Shots for High-Risk Patients Needed
Editorial pages tackle news about the covid vaccine and more.
Global Covid Deaths Slightly Up After A Six-Week Fall, WHO Reports
Elsewhere around the world, Sinovac’s vaccine is declared safe for children as young as 3, and concerns deepen that the pandemic will linger if some nations take years to vaccinate.
New York Reopens High Schools, But Most Students Will Learn From Home
The vast majority of students in New York City high schools will remain learning from home, even as the city reopens campuses for the first time since November. Meanwhile, the new CDC 3-foot safety guideline will not affect Orange County, Florida, schools, who are choosing to keep spacing at 6 feet.
Arkansas Governor: New Abortion Law Was Designed To Be Unconstitutional
Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Sunday that the near-total abortion ban was meant to be bait for the U.S. Supreme Court. In other news from Arkansas, the legislature voted Monday to require a woman undergoing an abortion to first view an ultrasound.
10 Days In Lockdown Equals A Half-Pound Weight Gain, Says New Study
UCSF researchers have connected lockdowns with steady increases in weight among American citizens. In other research news, vitamin D is again linked to reduced covid risk–especially in Black patients. And distorted smell is being recognized as a symptom of long covid, even as scientists struggle to understand long haulers.
Health Care CEOs Hit Pay Dirt In 2020
Axios reports that Sam Hazen of HCA Healthcare made $84 million, four times as much as 2019; David Cordani of Cigna made $79 million, six times as much as 2019; and Dave Ricks of Eli Lilly made $68 million, twice as much as 2019.
Vaccine Rollout Failing People With Visual Impairment, The Homebound
Even as covid vaccine eligibility expands, reports suggest the entire process is a struggle for visually impaired and homebound Americans. Meanwhile structural language issues built into the process are said to impact many non-English speakers seeking shots.
Covid Vaccines For All Over-16s Coming To More States, Soon
States from West Virginia to Arizona have announced plans to dramatically expand vaccine eligibility. In other state news: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis dismisses the idea of vaccine passports, an Arizona man was arrested after holding a covid vaccine supply hostage at gunpoint and more.
White House Worries J&J Supply, Hesitancy May Hamper Vaccine Goals
Maintaining a steady supply of vaccine to the states and overcoming resistance from different groups of Americans are key to reaching the Biden administration’s mass vaccination targets.
