Latest KFF Health News Stories
CDC Director Clear On Need For Booster Covid Shot
CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said there is enough immunity in the U.S. population to provide some protection against the more contagious omicron BA.2 subvariant and clearly encouraged people over 50 to get a booster.
White House Steps Up Efforts To Study Long Covid
Media outlets report on new plans from the Biden administration to battle long covid, including creating a new task force to coordinate research efforts across different federal agencies. Meanwhile, two new studies on the disease in France and China report its long-term symptoms persist over a year.
Biden, Obama Reunite At White House To Promote Affordable Care Act
President Joe Biden signed an executive order Tuesday that ordered agencies to expand coverage and lower costs. The Biden administration has also proposed a rule to close a subsidy loophole dubbed the “family glitch.”
Quick Passage Of Covid Relief Bill Appears Remote
Republicans are using a Trump-era immigration policy to hold up a bill to provide $10 billion in covid aid. Getting the bill to President Joe Biden’s desk before a two-week recess seems remote.
The cancer-causing substance can still be found in car brakes and linings, gaskets and water treatment. Its use has never been completely banned.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers examine these public health issues.
Different Takes: People Are Prepping For The End Of Roe; Maryland Relaxes Some Abortion Restrictions
Opinion writers weigh in on covid management and abortion issues.
New UK Covid Variant ‘Omicron XE’ Most Transmissible Yet
Media outlets report on the rise in Britain of a new omicron subvariant dubbed XE, which is a hybrid of BA.1 and BA.2 and may be the most transmissible covid version found. Meanwhile, also in the U.K., the official list of covid symptoms has been expanded with nine new ones, including fatigue.
Georgia’s Medical Marijuana Production Bill Falls Short By One Vote
Meanwhile, in D.C., lawmakers will consider a bill to adjust how medical marijuana is sold, and KRQE reports that recreational weed sales in New Mexico topped $3.5 million on the first weekend.
Walmart Health Expanding In Florida With 5 New Locations
Meanwhile, over 300 Howard University Hospital health workers are planning to strike this month; Campbell County, Wyoming, health officials say their entire system could be bankrupt soon; hospital prices soar in Northern California; flooded operating rooms in Vermont delay surgeries; and more.
Gov. Kemp Signs Bill To Overhaul Georgia’s Poor Mental Health System
Covering the news, AP calls the current state of Georgia’s mental health services “dismal.” The new bill covers changes in private insurer coverage for mental health conditions, more public spending on patient care, and more.
It Costs The US $2.5 Billion For Gun Violence Victims’ First Year Of Care
Bloomberg covers a Harvard study on the cost of post-shooting care for victims of gun violence. USA Today notes that victims also suffer a spike in psychiatric and substance abuse disorders following an injury. And a report in the L.A. Times says living with gun owners doubles your homicide risk.
Colorado Governor Signs Law Protecting Abortion Rights
Meanwhile, Colorado lawmakers are pushing to improve the General Assembly’s outdated policies on parental leave. Elsewhere, Republicans in Tennessee want to make it harder to get abortion pills by mail, and swamped abortion providers in Oklahoma are turning away patients from nearby states.
Free At-Home Covid Tests Now Available For People On Medicare
Millions of Medicare “Part B” enrollees will be able to get up to eight free at-home tests per month at participating drug stores — a workaround to Medicare rules that previously didn’t allow coverage of over-the-counter tests.
Researchers Made An Ad Using Trump To Promote Vaccines — It Worked
The online ad using footage of the former president was targeted at over 1,000 U.S. counties where vaccination rates are low — and it resulted in more shots given in those counties than in ones where the ad wasn’t shown. Axios also reports that some hesitant parents are finally warming to shots.
In An 11-Month First, No One Died Of Covid In This Montana County Last Week
In a positive sign about the pandemic’s trajectory, it’s the first time since May 2021 that no deaths were reported in Yellowstone County, Montana. But in Boston, reports say the covid test positivity rate rose over 5% for the first time since mid-February, possibly due to a surge of omicron BA.2.
Votes Secured In Order To Confirm Jackson To Supreme Court
Ketanji Brown Jackson is poised to be approved to the Supreme Court later this week after three Republican senators joined Democrats to advance her nomination to a full Senate vote.
Senators Reach Deal For $10 Billion In Covid Funds
The relief package is on track to clear Congress this week after negotiators agreed to a compromise Monday. The deal leverages unused money to keep federal covid testing, treatment and vaccine programs on track — but is far smaller than the White House says is needed for future pandemic efforts.
CDC Announces Plan To Modernize In Wake Of Pandemic Response
CDC Director Rochelle Walensky unveiled her agency’s plan to revamp itself and hired an outside senior federal health official to conduct a one-month review.
