Latest KFF Health News Stories
Pandemic Study Says Mental Health Issues Hit 1 in 5 Health Workers
In other news: New covid cases in nursing home staff have fallen dramatically; more than a million patients suffered from data leaks in February; and a battle is heating up over how much additional health care can be provided by optometrists.
Texas Experiences Big Two-Week Decline In New Covid Case Numbers
This weekend was Texas’ first without covid mask mandates or restrictions. In the previous two weeks, the average number of new cases in Texas had been in decline. Elsewhere, Utah case numbers plateau, but L.A. County figures continue to fall.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages across the country tackle these issues and others.
Opinion writers weigh in on the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
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, Black women and menopause, aging brains and former ice hockey Olympic gold medalist Mark Pavelich.
More Nations Pause AstraZeneca Vaccinations Amid Blood Clot Worries
Italy, Iceland and Thailand join a growing list of countries pausing use of AstraZeneca covid vaccines due to reports of blood clot problems post-vaccination. Meanwhile, reports show the U.S. is sitting on tens of millions of doses and is unlikely to share.
Hypnosis Discredited, No Longer A Crime-Solving Tool For Texas Rangers
A Dallas Morning News investigation prompted the Texas Rangers to stop using hypnosis techniques during questioning. Elsewhere, Florida campaigners resist new medical THC level limits, and a knee surgery lawsuit in Missouri is settled.
Disease Experts Warn Covid-19 Is Here To Stay
News outlets look ahead to the future of the virus, as well as back at which predictions made a year ago held up and which ones did not.
For Some Hospitals, Not All The News Is Bad
Some health systems still brought in more money in 2020 than in 2019. Meanwhile, many hospitals have decided to keep administrative changes that they came up with on the fly during the pandemic.
Doses Trashed, Empty Shots Given As Covid Vaccine Program Hits Snags
Texas may be getting too few vaccine doses due to outdated population statistics; Florida’s eligibility restrictions may be holding back the roll-out and a group of patients in Virginia were accidentally given empty-syringe shots.
Covid Long-Haul Worries Deepen As Researchers Probe Case Histories
A Cigna study suggests patients who recover from covid may present with multiple ongoing conditions, including neurological ones. Meanwhile investigations continue into whether infections in cancer, HIV patients contributed to virus variants.
Pfizer Shot Shown To Be Extremely Effective Against Asymptomatic Covid
In the “news that just keeps getting better” department, Pfizer’s vaccine also offers more protection than earlier thought against symptomatic covid, reaching 97%, according to real-world data.
Some Schools Cut Social Distancing Down To 3 Feet; CDC May Follow Suit
At least one study has shown no significant difference in covid infection rates among K-12 students and staff when other measures such as universal masking were implemented.
Vaccinations Up, So Pandemic Restrictions Go Down, In Some Places
As vaccinations begin to have an impact, New York will remove quarantine rules for out-of-state visitors, and Oklahoma no longer requires mask-wearing in state buildings. These moves, and others, come as reports say more Americans are going outside their homes than before.
Experts Worry Falling Covid Numbers Mask Ongoing State Of Pandemic
Lower infection statistics for the pandemic suggest the worst is over, but just as a flare-up happens in Nevada and new variant cases pop up, some experts remark that this is not the time to behave as if the battle is won.
House Moves To Stave Off Automatic Medicare Cuts Triggered By Deficit
Without intervention, Medicare faces mandatory 2% spending cuts under sequestration now that the latest stimulus bill has been enacted. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer says the chamber will vote next week on a measure to reset the pay-as-you-go amounts.
Medicaid Work Requirements Pulled From Supreme Court’s Agenda
The Biden administration had asked the justices to put off March 29 oral arguments on a consolidated pair of cases, telling the Supreme Court that they are in the process of unwinding the relevant Trump administration policies allowing states to impose work requirements on Medicaid beneficiaries.
Becerra HHS Nomination Advances; Floor Debate, Vote Expected Next Week
The vote to discharge California Attorney General Xavier Becerra’s nomination was approved 51-48, with centrist Sens. Joe Manchin and Susan Collins backing the measure.
Biden Signs $1.9T Relief Bill Aimed At Bolstering Pandemic Economy
A formal ceremony will mark the win on Friday afternoon, but President Joe Biden didn’t wait to sign the massive legislation once the paperwork was delivered. Next up: the White House plans a road show to promote the stimulus package’s measures to the American public.
