Latest KFF Health News Stories
Study: 330,000 Could’ve Been Saved From Covid If US Had Universal Health Care
Researchers estimate that nearly a third of American covid deaths could would have been avoided if the nation had a universal health care system. Other industry news stories report on the cost of health disparities and the Supreme Court’s decision related to dialysis.
New California Bill Shields Providers, Patients From Out-Of-State Civil Suits
Assembly Bill 1666 is ready for signing by Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, and is designed to protect those seeking abortion access in California. Also: Measures to boost abortion care in St. Louis, delays in pregnancy complication treatment in Texas after new anti-abortion laws, plus more.
Free Covid Tests For People With Visual Impairment Now Available
The White House announced that it’s rolling out more-accessible rapid home test kits via Covidtests.gov. The kits do require a Bluetooth-enabled phone. Other pandemic news report on federal funding, subvariants, and more.
Birx Tells Hill Panel White House Tried To Limit Covid Guidance To States
Dr. Deborah Birx, who served as the coronavirus coordinator for President Donald Trump, testified that administration officials were giving the president “dangerous ideas” about fighting the virus and withheld reports from states about the spread of covid.
Without Covid Shots, Another 20 Million Would Have Died: Study
A fresh study into the impact of vaccines on the global pandemic reveals how many people’s lives have been saved, but it also underlines that even more people would be alive if international vaccine efforts had been more successful. Sanofi, GSK and Moderna’s vaccines are also in the news.
Juul Ordered To Remove All Of Its Vaping Products From Shelves
The company must immediately discontinue sales of its products, the FDA said Thursday, a day after The Wall Street Journal was tipped off to the decision.
Supreme Court Expands Rights To Carry Guns In Public
In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court justices struck down a New York state law that restricted the ability to carry firearms outside the home. States with gun controls on the books — like licensing laws — in the wake of mass shootings are left scrambling by the decision.
‘We Are About To Save A Lot Of Lives’: Senate Passes Bipartisan Gun Bill
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), who helped forge the legislation, lauded its passage. The bill, which won the support of 15 Republicans, including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, would establish some modest new gun restrictions and provide $15 billion for mental health programs around the country. Speaker Nancy Pelosi pledged that the House will vote on the bill Friday, where it is expected to pass. It would become the first gun safety bill to move through Congress since the mid-1990s.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Racism In Maternity Care Still Exists; Steps We Must Take Before The Next Pandemic
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health topics.
Different Takes: Sanctuary Laws Needed To Protect Abortion Care; Without Roe, IVF Is At Risk
Opinion writers examine abortion and the impact of overturning Roe.
London Sewage Analysis Finds Polio Virus In UK
Health authorities in the U.K. warned that several related polio viruses have been found in analysis of a London sewage treatment plant over several months earlier this year, implying local spread of the mostly eradicated disease. Separately, global life expectancy fell during the pandemic.
Research Roundup: Kawasaki Disease; Soft-Tissue Sarcoma; Antibiotic Overuse
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
CDC Advises Upgraded Flu Shots For Seniors
AP reports that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says senior citizens, with weaker immune systems, don’t respond well to traditional flu shots and thus they should get newer shots for better coverage. Extreme heat, Roundup herbicide lawsuit, and more are also in public health news.
Nursing Home Owner At Center Of Hurricane Debacle Arrested
Bob Glynn Dean Jr., who AP reports has already lost state licenses over his handling of an evacuation during hurricane Ida, has now been arrested on fraud and cruelty charges. AP also reports that a DOJ investigation showed Maine unnecessarily institutionalizes youths with disabilities.
Reversing Course After Complaints, CVS Health Will Again Offer Eliquis
Physicians and patients balked after the blood thinner was removed from the company’s formulary. For months, CVS’ formulary included only Xarelto, even though research hasn’t shown that the two medications are interchangeable, Modern Healthcare said.
Walmart Extends Employee Doula Coverage To Tackle Racial Imbalances
Walmart first offered doula services to employees in Georgia in 2021, but is now expanding coverage to Louisiana, Indiana, and Illinois. Separately, reports say that the Department of Veterans Affairs is moving to tackle stigma by giving clean needles to veterans who use illegal drugs.
Special Session To Overturn Old Abortion Law Ended By Wisconsin GOP
Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, had called the special session to try to overturn an 1849 law banning abortion, but Republicans forced the end of the meetings within seconds. Also: abortion news from Iowa, Illinois, from Native American abortion providers, and more.
Republican Lawmakers In Tennessee Want To Block Covid Shots For Infants
AP reports top Republican lawmakers in Tennessee are urging the governor to delay rollout of covid vaccines for infants, approved by medical authorities in the U.S., citing safety concerns. Meanwhile, as some parents scramble for appointments, USA Today explains why most pharmacies can’t give out the newly-approved shots for the under 5s.
Research: 1 In 5 With Virus Get Long Covid; Omicron Subvariants Are Nasty
Strains BA.4 and BA.5 appear to escape antibody responses among people who were infected with covid as well as those who were fully vaxxed and boosted. But experts say vaccines should still protect against serious disease. Meanwhile, long covid is more pervasive than perhaps thought.
