Latest KFF Health News Stories
Task Force: Surge Is From ‘More Aggressive’ Strain
The sharp spike in cases might be from a strain that has developed in the U.S., the White House committee warned the states, but the CDC says there is no evidence of a domestic variant.
Faith Leaders Back Vaccine; Some Health Systems Face Staff Hesitancy
Health workers, patients with conditions like diabetes, older Americans and prison employees work through their places in the vaccine line.
100,000 New Cases A Day Used To Be Alarming. Now We’re Over 300,000.
Daily U.S. hospitalizations numbers, meanwhile, have topped that 100,000 mark for over 40 days. In this new year alone, 23,000 Americans have died.
More Flexibility Needed Or Vaccine Will Go To Waste, FDA Head Says
From loosening states’ priority rules to extracting the bonus “sixth dose” in the Pfizer vials, health officials look for ways to stop vaccines from just sitting in freezers.
Where’s The Disconnect? 22M Doses Delivered, Only 8M Have Had A Shot
And less than 300,000 have been fully vaccinated with a two-dose regimen. News outlets look at how the states are trying to fix the delays and confusion created by the nation’s decentralized rollout.
Idea Of Delaying Second ‘Booster’ Shots Sparks Debate
While the World Health Organization approved an extension of up to 6 weeks, other scientists and health expert warn that the potential consequences from such a move are unknown and too risky,
Biden Will End Policy Of Holding Back Vaccine Supply For Second Doses
President-elect Joe Biden backs a plan to release all available covid vaccine to the states in an effort to accelerate mass inoculations, relying on manufacturers to deliver enough for second doses.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Genetic Differences Do Exist In Identical Twins, DNA Research Shows
The differences could influence why one twin is taller or why one twin is at greater risk for certain cancers. News is on aortic aneurysms that can be caused by the most commonly prescribed antibiotics, and more.
Billionaires Urged To Help Starving People
The pandemic and ensuing economic crisis have contributed to a sharp rise in the number of people on the brink of starvation around the world, says the UN’s World Food Programme. Meanwhile, jobless numbers continue to batter Americans as many await their stimulus cash.
Two Arthritis Drugs Help Severe Covid
Tocilizumab and sarilumab appear to cut the relative risk of death for those in ICU by 24%.
‘Not Enough Staff’: Caseload Increase Overwhelms California Nurses
The state is having to ignore a law limiting the number of cases a nurse has to oversee at one time. News is on the GBMC ransomware attack, a new chief customer officer at CVS and more.
Texas Medicaid Clients Who Use Planned Parenthood Have 30 Days To Find Alternate Care
The order impacts more than 8,000 people, who could have a hard time finding a substitute to Planned Parenthood since many health providers in Texas don’t accept Medicaid patients because of the state’s low reimbursement rates.
ACA Helps To Chip Away At Income Inequality Gap, Study Finds
Americans with incomes in the bottom 10th percentile who were enrolled in a health exchange plan saw income gains of nearly 19% in 2019. That number was higher for residents of states that expanded Medicaid.
Will The Week That Shook Up D.C. Also Shake Biden’s Health Agenda?
As control of the Senate readies to shift and fallout continues from a pro-Trump mob’s assault on the Capitol, the incoming Biden administration contends with the shifting political landscape.
Pfizer Study Suggests Its Vaccine Works Against Variant
News reports also focus on the variant emerging in the U.S., including comments from Anthony Fauci that variants might impact treatments more than the vaccines.
To Avoid Wasting Vaccine, Some States Expand Rollout On Their Own
Meanwhile, West Virginia is outpacing the rest of the country: It has completed a first round of shots at all its long-term care facilities and has delivered the vaccine to health workers. Now, the state is administering second doses and moving on to other populations, including teachers 50 and older.
AHA Implores Trump Administration To Take Larger Role In Vaccine Rollout
Among other changes, the American Hospital Association wants Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar to do a better job of sharing goals rather than leaving it up to the states.
Good News: Virus Immunity Appears To Last Long
You likely will get years of protection from a covid vaccine and at least eight months of protection if you become infected, research shows.
In-Person College Openings And Rise In Covid Cases Linked: CDC Study
Researchers found that counties with large universities where students returned to campus this fall experienced a 56% jump in coronavirus infections.
