Weekly Edition: June 4, 2021

In Missouri and Other States, Flawed Data Makes It Hard to Track Vaccine Equity
By Alex Smith, KCUR Racial and ethnic categories for vaccination data vary widely from one state to another, complicating efforts to distribute shots where they are needed most. In Missouri, some red flags in the data surfaced, making health officials question its usefulness.

FDA Weighs Approval of a Lucrative Alzheimer’s Drug, but Benefits Are Iffy
By Harris Meyer The agency is to decide by June 7 whether to greenlight Biogen’s drug aducanumab, despite a near-unanimous rejection of the product by an FDA advisory committee of outside experts in November. Some scientists at the agency have endorsed the drug, though.

Analysis: Mounting Pressure on China About Covid ‘Lab Leak’ Could Backfire
By Arthur Allen Where the coronavirus originated remains a mystery and the Chinese are bucking demands to let investigators see more.

KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: The Drug Price Dilemma
Republicans, Democrats and the public at large agree that prices for prescription drugs are too high. But no one seems to know how to fix it. Vanderbilt University drug price researcher Stacie Dusetzina explains the basics of why drugs cost so much and why it’s hard to do something about it. Joanne Kenen of Politico, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet and Anna Edney of Bloomberg News join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss the prospects for policy changes.

Expanding Insurance Coverage Is Top Priority for New Medicare-Medicaid Chief
By Julie Rovner Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, the new head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, said the administration will focus on getting more people insured and is interested in finding a way to alleviate the gap keeping low-income families in states that haven’t expanded Medicaid from enrolling in Affordable Care Act health plans.

Newsom Wants to Spend Millions on the Health of Low-Income Mothers and Their Babies
By Anna Almendrala Democratic legislators back measures that would end the “pink tax” on diapers and menstrual products, provide mental health support, and pilot a guaranteed-income program.

Many New Moms Get Kicked Off Medicaid 2 Months After Giving Birth. Illinois Will Change That.
By Christine Herman, WILL / Illinois Public Media Each year, hundreds of thousands of new mothers lose Medicaid coverage after 60 days when their income exceeds limits. But deadly childbirth complications persist months longer.

From Racial Justice to Dirty Air, California’s New AG Plots a Progressive Health Care Agenda
By Angela Hart In a candid interview, California’s newly appointed attorney general, Rob Bonta, reflects on his progressive roots and says he will pursue a health care agenda centered on the principle that quality medical care is a right, not a privilege.

Doctors Tell How to Make the Most of Your Telehealth Visits
By Julie Appleby Public health restrictions put in place during the pandemic are loosening, meaning it’s OK to go back to your doctor’s office. But will virtual visits remain an option?

Readers and Tweeters React to Racism, Inequities in Health Care
Kaiser Health News gives readers a chance to comment on a recent batch of stories.

The ‘Grief Pandemic’ Will Torment Americans for Years
By Liz Szabo More than 5 million Americans lost a loved one to covid, and the ripple effects could lead to serious illness down the road.

Little-Known Illnesses Turning Up in Covid Long-Haulers
By Cindy Loose A significant number of post-covid patients suffer from syndromes that few doctors understand.

Behind The Byline: Finding a ‘Superstar’ to Interview
By Jenny Gold Check out KHN’s video series — Behind The Byline: How the Story Got Made. Come along as journalists and producers offer an insider’s view of health care coverage that does not quit.

Mississippi’s Black Communities Turned Around Their Covid Rates. Next Up: Make Strides on Vaccines.
By Michaela Gibson Morris Covid-19 tore through Mississippi’s Black population in the pandemic’s early days, but community efforts slowed the rate. Now health officials and community leaders aim to replicate the success as they dole out vaccines.

KHN Journalist Combs for Clues on Covid’s Origins
KHN and California Healthline staff made the rounds on national and local media this week to discuss their stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.

Biden Administration Signals It’s in No Rush to Allow Canadian Drug Imports
By Phil Galewitz Federal officials asked a court to dismiss a suit by drugmakers over the policy enacted by the Trump administration that would allow states to bring in cheaper prescription medications from Canada. The filing said the lawsuit was moot because it’s unclear when or if the FDA would approve any state’s importation plan.