Latest KFF Health News Stories
Google Completes Steps To Purchase FitBit For $2.1B
A report from Stat says the purchase could give Google an advantage in clinical trials and in the employer market interested in rewarding workers healthy habits. News is on the system rewarding higher insulin prices and an expected approval of a new drug from Aurinia to treat a serious kidney disease.
More Possible Covid Treatments Sought
Meanwhile, a new study backs up previous research that men are more likely to test positive, have complications and die from covid infections than women, regardless of age.
Federal Health Officials Plead For Wider Usage Of Monoclonal Antibodies
HHS and Operation Warp Speed officials are trying to increase the public’s awareness of the covid treatment option, which are in good supply but work best when administered to patients in the early days of illness.
Houston Hospital Offers $500 To Employees Who Get Vaccine
Some workers consider the testing of the vaccine to be inadequate. Other health care personnel news reports on dentists who are unable to get the vaccine and nurses who are burnt out and leaving jobs.
Final CMS Rule Lets States Waive Some ACA Requirements, Cuts User Fees
The rule finalized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services would significantly impact how the Affordable Care Act exchanges are run.
Hospitals In Oklahoma, California Prepare Ethical Protocol To Decide Who Lives, Dies
Administrators across the country are drawing up “crisis standards care” as the covid surge shows no sign of relenting. And in Los Angeles, ambulances circle for hours, unable to find ERs that can accept patients.
HHS Pushes For Job Limits For Federal Health Scientists; Move Seen As Retaliatory
With the clock ticking down on this administration, Trump agency officials push through 11th-hour changes that would impact federal scientists’ ability to remain nonpolitical, buprenorphine prescribing, Medicaid and more.
No $200 Discount Drug Cards For Medicare Beneficiaries
Despite President Donald Trump’s campaign promise, White House officials say there is not enough time left to deliver on the plan.
Covid Cuts Average Life Expectancy By 1 Year — More If You’re Black Or Latino
For Blacks, the projected life expectancy would shorten by 2.10 years to 72.78 years, and for Latinos, by 3.05 years to 78.77 years. Whites are also affected, but their projected decline is much smaller — 0.68 years — to a life expectancy of 77.84 years, ScienceDaily reports.
Pfizer, Moderna Accelerate Production Of Vaccines To Meet Global Demand
In the U.S., new targets are for each company to deliver 200 million doses by the end of July. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump asks lawmakers to claw back billions in funding to international vaccine and health initiatives. Congress is not expected to act on the request.
US Rapidly Approaching 400,000 Coronavirus Deaths
According to mortality data analyzed by The New York Times, the nation has already passed that tragic mark with over 400,000 more Americans dead than would normally be since last March. And no end is sight, with a sustained 200,000 new cases or more reported every day.
Hunt For Vaccine Frustrates Residents In Most States
While Texas reports that it has administered over 1 million covid vaccine doses, most other states fail to make much progress in picking up the inoculation pace.
Former FDA Head David Kessler Tapped To Lead Biden’s Vaccine Program
Dr. David Kessler will replace Moncef Slaoui as the chief of the federal vaccine rollout and distribution program. And Andy Slavitt, an Obama administration alum, will join the Biden covid response team.
Biden Calls On Congress To Take Up His Plan For Bigger Round Of Aid
President-elect Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion stimulus proposal includes money for testing and vaccine distribution as well as $1,400 relief checks and extended unemployment insurance. He also detailed other elements of his pandemic response plan.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages focus on these pandemic topics and others.
Research Roundup: Flu Vaccines; Covid; Smoking; Delirium
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Spanish Court Requires Incapacitated Woman to Get Vaccination
The case appears to be the first time a court in Europe required someone to get a vaccination against family wishes. News reports are on India’s decision to move ahead despite concerns about one of its vaccines, China’s barring of two WHO investigators and more.
Neglect Charges Against Ex-Governor May Not Be Enough For Flint Residents
Former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder was charged with two misdemeanor counts of willful neglect of duty. He could face imprisonment of up to one year. Flint residents welcomed the news, but one doctor who helped call attention to the city’s contaminated water said, “Restoring trust will take decades.”
Trial Shows A Drug Combination Can Help People With Meth Addiction
Addiction experts hailed the results of the study as offering hope for a disorder that is hard to treat and deadly. News reports are on a rise in highway fatalities, skeptics of systemic racism in health care, and more.
