Latest KFF Health News Stories
New ARPA-H Medical Research Agency Will Exist Outside Of NIH
The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, designed to boost breakthrough medical tech, will instead be a distinct unit inside the Department of Health and Human Services. In other news, the cost effectiveness of the first injectable HIV-preventive is called into question.
TSA Argues Against Accommodating People With Disabilities In Screening
A Politico piece explains the TSA’s stance in a lawsuit over its “unaccommodating” screening policy when it comes to people who can’t comply due to their disabilities. Meanwhile, reports say life for about 1 in 5 people with long-term disabilities won’t return to normal when the pandemic ends.
Insurers Pay Net Bills For Telehealth; Data Show Racial Differences In Use
White adults, new federal data show, are more likely to use video telehealth services than audio ones. Use is also higher among white people, young adults and people earning over $100,000. Meanwhile, some systems are beginning to pay for internet access to boost the reach of telehealth to more users.
Melinda French Gates Alters How She Will Give Away Billions To Charities
The philanthropist says she’s no longer pledging to give away her fortune through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and will instead spread it among other charities, the Wall Street Journal reported. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has championed the eradication of polio and malaria, Alzheimer’s research and many other global health causes.
CMS Eyes 8% Hike In Payments To Medicare Advantage Providers Next Year
The proposed adjustment in 2023 payments would be to address the financial impacts of social determinants of health and health equity in Medicare Advantage plans.
Airlines Push For End Of Test-Before-Flight Rule For Inbound Vaxxed Flyers
News outlets cover requests from the airline industry that requirements for international vaccinated travelers to test negative before boarding U.S.-bound flights be dropped. Other outlets cover the president’s 500 million free test push, fraudulent test sites, and advice on using at-home tests.
Soldiers Who Refuse Covid Shots Now Being Discharged By Army
An AP report says this places over 3,300 service members at risk of being discharged. Other news on mandates includes a judge ruling in favor of Hawaiian Airlines’ worker vaccine policy, 200 Santa Clara County unvaxxed workers being disciplined, and more.
Got Your Booster? You’re 97 Times Less Likely To Die Than The Unvaxxed
If you’re fully vaccinated, you’re 14 times less likely to die than someone with no shots. But if you’re boosted, that figure rises to 97 times, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meanwhile, imaging data show breakthrough infections are less severe for fully-vaxxed people.
Daily Covid Cases Drop Below 500K Nationally, But Deaths Are Still Rising
For the first time in weeks, fewer than 500,000 people were reported with new covid cases, with data from places like the Bay Area showing signs the omicron surge is fading. But the number of deaths is rising, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 75,000 more may happen this month.
Biden Shoots To Cut Cancer Deaths In Half Over Next 25 Years
“We can do this,” President Joe Biden said at an event Wednesday that aimed to reinvigorate his “cancer moonshot,” an initiative he previously launched as vice president. This push sets new priorities but has no additional funding. News outlets look at how the administration intends to accomplish the ambitious goal.
Cutting-Edge Blood Treatment ‘Cures’ Cancer In Two Patients, Doctors Say
Leukemia is considered an incurable disease. Yet in the cases of two men still in remission 10 years after receiving an experimental CAR-T cell therapy, doctors are using a word rarely uttered about cancer: “cured.” They caution that the treatment may not work for all patients. But the findings, just published in a study, could lead to a long-term therapy for leukemia.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers delve into these public health issues.
Viewpoints: Ivermectin Misinformation Amended; Environmental Sampling Can Identify New Variants
Opinion writers examine these covid related topics.
First Community Covid Transmission Drives Tonga Into Lockdown
Meanwhile, in Tokyo cases hit a record high — above 20,000 daily for the first time. In Europe, some nations are scaling back their restrictions, including Norway, even as the World Health Organization warns that many places have yet to reach the peak of the omicron surge.
Perspectives: Therapeutic Drugs Remain Important Part Of Covid Fight
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
More Good News About Remdesivir
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
More Children Died In Maine In 2021 Than Recorded Before
The Bangor Daily News report says 25 children died in “incidents tracked by the state that were associated with abuse or neglect,” or after a family involvement with the child welfare system. The figure is more than double the total for 2020.
Suicide Attempts Rise 50% Among Teenage Girls
Although teenage boys remain more likely to die by suicide, teenage girls are more likely to attempt it, a report in the Texas Tribune notes. Meanwhile, in abortion news, AP reports that minority women will be most affected if abortion is banned in the U.S.
Report: People Close To Death Suffer Due To Over-Medicalization
A report from a new Lancet Commission says that increased suffering and loss of dignity are side effects of overreliance on medicine during the process of dying. In other news, Magellan Health will start using a drone to deliver some members’ specialist prescription meds this year.
