Weekly Edition: May 14, 2021

Latinos Are the Most Eager to Get Vaccinated, Survey Shows — But Face Obstacles
By Anna Almendrala A new survey shows that unvaccinated Hispanics are almost twice as likely as unvaccinated Blacks or whites to want a covid vaccination. But many still face a variety of access problems, ranging from fear to time squeeze.

Covid Fears Keep Many Latino Kids out of Classrooms
By Heidi de Marco Latinos got hit disproportionately hard by covid-19. When faced with the choice of sending their kids back to school or keeping them in online classes, many Latino parents say their kids are safer at home.

Another Pandemic ‘To Do’ on the List for Schools: Contact Tracing
By Brett Dahlberg, WCMU Struggling to keep up with a covid-19 surge in Michigan, overwhelmed health departments relied on an unlikely new crew of contact tracers: school principals.

How Schools Can Help Kids Heal After the Pandemic’s Uncertainty
By Cory Turner, NPR and Christine Herman, WILL / Illinois Public Media The pandemic has been stressful for millions of children. Schools are trying to meet children's emotional needs in big and small ways as in-person classes resume.

Masks at the Campfire: Summer Camps for Kids With Medical Needs Adapt to Covid
By Sandy West Camp Ho Mita Koda, an Ohio camp for children with diabetes, plans to host in-person camp this year despite the pandemic. It’s unusual, especially given that children under 12 likely won't be able to get covid vaccines for months and many who attend medically focused camps could be especially vulnerable to serious covid complications. But these camps are important not just for the kids, but also for parents.

You’ve Added Your Kids to Your Health Plan. What About Mom?
By Samantha Young A bill in the California legislature would require state-regulated health plans to cover policyholders’ dependent parents. Advocates say the measure would reduce the number of uninsured people, while business groups warn of premium increases.

From Covid Coverage to ‘Public Option’ Plans, Journalists Delve Into Details
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 Boasts About Equitable Senior Vaccination Rate by Race Without Data to Back It Up
By Victoria Knight There is no public national data source that tracks vaccination rates based on a combination of race or ethnicity as well as age. Most state-level data shows that disparities exist in vaccine rates between white people and people of color.

What the Slowing Vaccine Rates Mean for One Rural Montana County
By Katheryn Houghton In one northwestern Montana county where demand for covid vaccines is dropping well before widespread immunity is reached, people are split on whether the virus is a threat.

Don’t Eat the Yellowstone Snow: Elite Ski Resort Aims to Turn Sewage Into Powder
By Justin Franz An exclusive Montana ski resort frequented by the likes of Bill Gates and Justin Timberlake says it can safely turn wastewater into snow to the benefit of skiers and the local watershed.

Riding Herd on Mental Health in Colorado Ranching Country
By Vignesh Ramachandran and Eli Imadali Lack of access and infrastructure, stigma and isolation intensify a mental health crisis in agricultural communities.

The Making of Reluctant Activists: A Police Shooting in a Hospital Forces One Family to Rethink American Justice
By Sarah Varney In 2015, Houston police officers stepped into Alan Pean’s hospital room, closed the door and shot him through the chest. Nearly six years later, his survival has brought the Pean family a wrenching legacy and conflicted sense of purpose.

Behind the Byline: The Quest to Bring Spanish Language to KHN
By Paula Andalo 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.

Listen: Exploring Controversial Efforts to Waive Drugmakers’ Vaccine Patent Rights
KHN's Julie Rovner joins The Atlantic's “Social Distance” podcast, hosted by Dr. James Hamblin and Maeve Higgins, to talk about President Joe Biden's support for an initiative to waive patent protection for covid vaccines and the politics of drug policy in the United States.

KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: Drug Price Effort Hits a Snag
Democratic leaders in Congress have vowed to pass legislation to address high prescription drug prices this year, but some moderates in their own party appear to be balking. Meanwhile, younger teens are now eligible for a covid-19 vaccine and the Biden administration reinstated anti-discrimination policy for LGBTQ people in health care. Joanne Kenen of Politico, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet and Rachel Cohrs of Stat join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more.