Latest KFF Health News Stories
Medicare Plans To Cut Payments To Nursing Homes
The proposed reduction in payments — announced by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services — is set to remedy an unintended 5% increase in payments for fiscal 2020, the agency said. Also in the news, a Montana hospital for psychiatric patients faces a loss of federal funding.
Experimental Drug Halves Covid Deaths Among Critically Ill, Company Says
Veru Inc.’s said that independent safety monitors recommend wrapping up late-stage trials of sabizabulin due to the promising results. The test data have not been peer-reviewed.
Covid Cases Are Rising In Many Places, But Americans Are So Over It
In a new poll, fewer than one in 10 Americans describe covid as a crisis. Funny thing about viruses, though: They don’t care what we think. Cases of variant BA.2 are spreading across the Northeast, and Rhode Island leads the nation with the highest seven-day case rate.
Philadelphia To Impose Mask Mandate Again
The requirement will go into effect April 18 and comes after a 50% increase in cases over the past 10 days. Several colleges around the country are also reinstating mask rules.
Biden Administration Targets Growing Burden Of Medical Debt
“No one in our nation should have to go bankrupt just to get the health care they need,” Vice President Kamala Harris said Monday. The White House announced a series of new government policies to evaluate billing practices, make it easier to get a federal loan and to act against overly aggressive debt collectors
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Cancel Culture Is Destroying Self-Esteem; How Governors Can Protect Abortion Rights
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health issues.
Opinion writers examine covid topics as well as health care issues.
Global Health Leadership Positions Still Mostly A Rich Man’s Game: Report
A report looked into 2,000 board positions in more than 146 health organizations. Among the findings, only 1% of members were women from low-income countries. In other news, Queen Elizabeth visited covid patients, Hong Kong’s outbreak is fading, and India tackles malnutrition.
Meningococcal Disease Outbreak Alert Issued For Florida
The warning came from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which noted the outbreak so far has mainly affected gay and bisexual men and recommended vaccination. Asbestos in a California women’s prison, Alaska withholding pay from doctors fired by the governor, and more are also in the news.
Nearly 30% Of Popular Baby Formula Brands Sold Out
The shortage is higher than other products at the moment, partly driven by a recall of Abbot Similac products. Meanwhile, the Washington Post reports that despite decades of effort, babies are still dying of sudden infant death syndrome.
Kentucky, Idaho Abortion Bans Halted Temporarily
In Kentucky, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear vetoed the strict 15-week anti-abortion bill, calling the law “likely unconstitutional.” In Idaho, the state Supreme Court temporary blocked a strict anti-abortion law modeled after Texas’ controversial one amid debates over its constitutionality.
FDA Could Get 30-Day Mandate To Tackle Opening Hearing Aid Access
Seemingly dissatisfied with the Food and Drug Administration’s slow pace toward allowing over-the-counter hearing aid purchases, two senators are threatening the FDA with a mandate bill. Meanwhile, costs and supply chain problems are turning people toward refurbished walkers and wheelchairs.
Cyberattacks And Ransomware Hit Smaller, Rural Hospitals
Stat highlights that it’s not just larger urban health systems that are targeted by hackers — smaller, rural venues are also being affected, and the impact on patients, staff and others is just as serious. The Montana State Hospital, Wellstar Health Systems, BayCare and more are also in the news.
Lawmaker Calls For Investigation Of Nursing Home Covid Deaths
In a letter to the chair of the House Oversight Committee, Rep. Bobby Rush, a Democrat from Illinois, singled out large ownership webs of nursing homes: “It is Congress’s job to stand in-between greedy corporations and those who are the most defenseless.”
Truckers Join Crowd In LA Protesting Vaccine Mandates
More than a thousand people opposed to vaccine mandates rallied in front of Los Angeles City Hall on Sunday. A slew of featured speakers was interspersed with musical acts, and the streets were lined with big rigs that were part of the “People’s Convoy” that had traveled to Los Angeles for the rally after a nationwide tour that included protests in Washington, D.C.
As DC’s Covid Outbreak Grows, Concerns Rise For Biden
Over the past two weeks, people close to President Joe Biden have contracted covid as the virus spreads among some of Washington’s most powerful figures. The White House approach to keeping the president safe appears somewhat haphazard.
Covid Is On The Rise, Yet Infections Are Likely Undercounted
Other indicators, like wastewater surveillance, hint that the U.S. is in the midst of another covid surge. But a drop in lab-based testing is leaving a big data gap in the overall picture. And some public health experts question the usefulness of covid case counts at this point in the pandemic.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Autism Looks Different In Girls; Qualified Immigrants Could Help Nursing Shortage
Editorial writers weigh in on these various public health topics.
