Latest KFF Health News Stories
GOP Demands Accounting Of Covid Funds Before Approving New Money
Group of Republican senators vow to not support new virus relief measures until the Biden administration provides more transparency on where past funds have been spent. The White House says efforts to fight the pandemic are about to run out of money.
Most Texans Barred From An Abortion In State Had One Elsewhere: Studies
Two studies find that Texas’ restrictive law kept about 10 percent of patients seeking abortion access from getting it. The rest went out of state for the procedure or were prescribed medication online.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages weigh in on these public health topics.
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 Facebook, wood-burning stoves, covid, genital mutilation, and more.
Opinion writers tackle these covid topics.
White House Will Share Some Covid Tech With WHO
Dr. Anthony Fauci explained the plan to journalists, with the goal being to help tackle covid around the globe. Meanwhile, new evidence from an international science team strongly points to a seafood market in Wuhan, China, as the source of covid, where the virus jumped from animals to people.
Fire Extinguished After Russians Strike Ukrainian Nuclear Plant
Media outlets cover the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on nuclear infrastructure — including strikes on a power plant that started a fire, sparking worry over radioactive leaks. The site was determined to be a training facility. Also, experts worry over disturbing the debris at the Chernobyl disaster site.
California Unveils ‘CARE Court’ To Help The Unhoused Get Mental Health Care
For the first time, the state would require counties to provide comprehensive treatment to people suffering from debilitating psychosis — and risk sanctions if they don’t, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
Drinking Might Shrink Your Brain But May Reduce Diabetes Risk: Studies
Axios reports on a study published in Nature that links reduced brain volume to alcohol consumption, even among moderate drinkers. On the other hand, a study reported by the Press Association links drinking wine with food to a lower risk of developing diabetes.
Alzheimer’s Drug Woes Push Biogen To Lay Off Staff
Stat reports that a reduction of around 1,000 jobs may happen at Biogen, likely due to ongoing sales problems hitting its controversial Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm. A data breach at Michigan Medicine, controversy over ads by Mass General Brigham, and more are also in the news.
Nonprofit Civica Rx to Make Insulin For Under $30 A Vial
Pending federal approval, the new affordable insulin source will be available as soon as early 2024. Civica’s effort will be supported by Blue Cross and Blue Shield insurers and others. Separately, a proposed $35 Build Back Better cap on monthly insulin costs is discussed.
Millions Of Vaccines In US Stockpiles Are Sitting Unused
Falling demand for covid shots is blamed for unused vaccines stored across the country, including in both highly- and poorly-vaccinated states. Other vaccine news relates to worries of parents of younger children who can’t get shots yet, and Moderna’s plans to open a hub in Atlanta.
9 In 10 Americans Don’t Need Masks Now, CDC Data Show
Meanwhile, the NFL and NFL Players Association suspended all covid rules for 2022’s football season, effective immediately. L.A. County will also lift indoor mask rules today. And Florida’s Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis is reportedly using footage of him scolding students for wearing masks to raise money.
Bots, Trolls Ease Up On Spread Of Covid Misinfo As They Pivot To Ukraine
Two possible explanations: Russia began limiting access to Twitter on Saturday, and sanctions have been levied against those who could be financing disinformation sites and bot farms, The Guardian says. In related news, the Surgeon General wants tech companies to share data on their sources of disinformation.
Blacks Hospitalized Much More Than Whites During Omicron Surge In NY
NYC Health observed a delay in the time between infection and diagnosis for Black residents. While most New Yorkers were diagnosed at least four days after the onset of symptoms, it took a day or more longer for Black New Yorkers, Bloomberg reported.
Sacklers Agree To Pay $6 Billion To Settle Purdue Pharma Bankruptcy
Sackler family members — who own Purdue Pharma and profited from its sales of OxyContin — agreed to increase their payout in opioid-related lawsuits to $6 billion in order to close out the company’s bankruptcy plan. The family also issued a statement of regret, though future liability may continue to be a sticking point before the deal is finalized.
Florida Abortion Ban After 15 Weeks Heads To DeSantis’ Desk
Both chambers of Florida’s legislature have ow approved the strict measure, which shortens the window for most abortions from 24 weeks to 15 with no exceptions for victims of rape, incest or human trafficking. Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to sign it into law.
House Passes Bill To Expand Health Care For Vets Exposed To Burn Pits
The bill passed a 256-174 House vote Thursday. It would open up Veterans Affairs health care to more service members exposed to toxic burn pits during the Iraq or Afghanistan wars and expand disability benefits to veterans who have become sick.
White House Request For More Covid Funds Sets Up Fight In Congress
The Biden administration tacked on two new requests to ongoing budget talks that face a March 11 deadline: $10 billion in aid for Ukraine and $22.5 billion more to cover “immediate” pandemic-related expenses. Republicans have been expected to balk at authorizing more covid money.
