Latest KFF Health News Stories
Pandemic Response Feels The Pinch As Aid Funds Start To Dry Up
News outlets report on the initial testing and treatment fallout on medical providers and uninsured patients. Other areas of the U.S. pandemic response are also expected to be impacted soon by financial shortages.
HHS Budget Gets 27% Boost In Biden’s Proposed Blueprint
President Joe Biden’s fiscal 2023 budget proposal was released Monday. It recommends investments around pandemic preparedness, public health infrastructure, mental health care, and more health-related measures.
Walmart To Cease Cigarette Sales In Some Of Its Stores
Anonymous sources tell The Wall Street Journal that retail stores in California, Florida, Arkansas and New Mexico are on the list.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers examine these covid and vaccine issues.
Editorial writers delve into these public health topics.
Invasion, Supply Disruptions Mean Ukraine Facing Public Health Disaster
Media outlets cover impacts of the invasion of Ukraine, including disruption of supplies of vital medications and a destabilization of covid controls. Separately, first lady Jill Biden visited Ukrainian refugee kids suffering from cancer at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Georgia Bill Aims To Reduce Harm From Surgical Smoke
At issue is smoke as a byproduct of thermal destruction of tissue, which may pose health risks for people present during surgery. Separately, a bill to improve access to mental health, which had been moving through the Georgia legislature, faces sudden opposition.
Taking Antibiotics Midlife May Slightly Hit Cognitive Scores Later: Study
A new study, which looked at women who reported at least 2 months of antibiotic exposure in their mid-50s showed lower mean scores on a standard cognitive assessment 7 years later. Meanwhile, ten lots of three oral drugs shipped to hospitals, nursing home, and clinics nationwide have been recalled.
Study Shows Pain Perception Can Be Reduced By Nostalgia
During a study about feelings of pain, researchers have found that feelings of nostalgia can actually lead to weaker pain sensations. Meanwhile a report in Bangor Daily News says no one knows exactly how much chemical pollution from “forever” chemicals is found in Maine rivers.
Former ICU Nurse Found Guilty Of Homicide In Drug Error
News outlets report on the conviction of former Tennessee nurse RaDonda Vaught for criminally negligent homicide — a case that has gripped the health care industry. Addiction recovery workers in Oregon, the North Country Home Health & Hospice Agency, a record-breaking 911 operator in Cobb County, and more are also in the news.
Families Fighting For Justice Long After Covid Deaths In Nursing Homes
USA Today describes how many lawsuits have slowed to a crawl as nursing homes have sought court deadline extensions, filed appeals, petitioned to change courts, or sought legal protections from states to shield their liability from the covid-19 pandemic.
Long Covid Symptoms Might Depend On Which Variant You Had, Study Finds
Researchers found when the alpha variant was the dominant strain, the prevalence of muscle aches and pain, insomnia, brain fog and anxiety/depression significantly increased, but the loss of smell, dysgeusia (a distorted sense of taste), and impaired hearing were less common, Fox News reported.
Omicron Deaths Higher For Those Who Got J&J Than Other Vaccines: CDC Data
CBS News flags recent CDC numbers that indicate that deaths for recipients of the Johnson & Johnson covid vaccine may have peaked during the omicron wave at double the rate of those who received the Moderna or Pfizer mRNA shots.
FDA Poised To OK Second Covid Booster For People 50 And Older
The FDA is expected to authorize a fourth shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna covid vaccine without a meeting of its independent vaccine advisory panel, due to an anticipated wave of BA.2 infections. The plan is expected to be announced early this week, but could shift as talks are ongoing.
From $0 To Over $100: Uninsured Now Hit By Steep Costs For Lab Covid Tests
With the federal reimbursement fund dried up and additional covid aid approval from Congress uncertain, tens of millions of Americans without health insurance now face charges to test for and treat covid that were previously covered — and that health experts worry they will skip due to costs.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers examine these public health topics.
Opinion writers explore these covid issues.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on the world’s best hospitals, grief, psychedelic venom, covid, and more.
